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A high elevation, remote, and iconic singletrack trail that hugs the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.


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27.8

Miles

44.7

KM

100%

Singletrack

8,545' 2,604 m

High

7,511' 2,289 m

Low

2,343' 714 m

Up

1,391' 424 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (1°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Commonly Bikepacked · Technical · Views

The trail is usually dry and snow-free from late spring (mid-May) through late fall (mid-October). Access roads to the trail are open during this period as well. Roads are closed and the trail is buried under snow in winter. Plan for a long drive on dirt roads to this very remote place. Bring everything you might for several days, and please Leave No Trace.

Overview

Located in the Kaibab National Forest of Northern Arizona, the remote and aptly named Rainbow Rim Trail follows along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, connecting five large overlooks that peer into one of the largest and most fascinating canyons on Planet Earth!

Need to Know

The trail is located in a very remote area, the nearest services are many miles away, so be prepared for backcountry conditions. Because of the trail's remoteness, many riders will take advantage of the plentiful primitive camping at one of the five overlook points and spend a couple of days exploring the area. Bring everything you might need including water and food, shovel for human waste, and pack out any garbage. Use has become heavy due to the trail's popularity, so please pick up after yourself.

Description

Rainbow Rim Trail #10 offers 22.5 miles (one-way) of exceptional solitude on a remote edge of the Grand Canyon in Kaibab National Forest. The trail offers an extremely unique experience; it is the only singletrack trail on the rim of the Grand Canyon open to bikes. Trails in nearby Grand Canyon National Park are closed to bicycles. E-bikes are prohibited on this trail.

While riding the Rainbow Rim, the views are fantastic, but somewhat infrequent, which make you appreciate every time you come across a glimpse into the great abyss. In fact, you never are very far from the rim, but the majority of the riding is through pine forest. It's a well-designed and sustainably built trail, up and down shallow drainages, and across flower-filled meadows. Each of the trail's five overlooks offer a distinct view and perspective of the Grand Canyon's features including the Powell Plateau, Steamboat Mountain, Tapeats Amphitheater and Great Thumb Mesas.

Forest roads access various points along the trail, so you can choose your base camp according to how you want to ride. Many riders prefer the flow of the trail from north to south, but it rides well either way. Setting up camp at Locust Point for example, which is the midpoint of the trail along the rim, enables you to divide up the trail as two separate out-and-back rides: 1) Locust Point south past Timp Point and back and, 2) Locust Point north to Parissawampitts Point and back.

Mileage from each trailhead are as follows:
Parissawampitts Point to Fence Point - 5.5 miles
Fence Point to Locust Point - 3.0 miles
Locust Point to North Timp Point - 6.5 miles
North Timp Point to Timp Point - 3.0 miles
Timp Point to FSRD 250 - 5.5 miles
FSRD 250 to Rainbow Rim East TH - 4.0 miles
Total = 27.5 miles one-way

History & Background

Thanks to collaboration between IMBA and Kaibab National Forest, as of 2019 the trail has been extended from FR271/271A intersection all the way to FR 293 near the intersection with FR294. This new trailhead is named, "Rainbow Rim East". The trail is now around 28 miles one-way. Currently there is no plan for more extension of trails on the Rainbow Rim.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kevin League with improvements by Ali Ayers and 2 others

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 46 votes

#1

in North Rim

#340

Overall
  4.3 from 46 votes
5 Star
46%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in North Rim

#20

in Arizona

#340

Overall
155 Views Last Month
88,511 Since Jul 12, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

The lovely and verdant Powell Plateau as viewed from Timp Point
Jul 12, 2013 near Grand C…, AZ
An overlook that peers into the Grand Canyon
Jul 12, 2013 near Grand C…, AZ
Rainbow Rim Trail ,,, Amazing
Aug 7, 2020 near Grand C…, AZ
Photo-op along the Rainbow Trail.
Sep 10, 2019 near Grand C…, AZ
The trailhead at Parissawampitts Point
Jul 12, 2013 near Grand C…, AZ
Locust Point after ride break.
Aug 19, 2019 near Grand C…, AZ
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 19, 2024
Debbie McLain
18mi — 4h 00m
Sep 19, 2024
Anona I.
Oct 23, 2021
Atsuko Ohtake
Jun 7, 2021
Nikki LC
Rode north from Locust Point a few miles out and back. Trail looks in great condition. 6mi
Aug 25, 2019
Adriaan Kroon
Jun 18, 2019
Ben Elliott
Jun 14, 2019
Carolyn Striker
Jun 9, 2019
Mark Slovak
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