Our trips are active adventure vacations in the outdoors. Because we have a smaller group size than some, and two guides with each trip we can accommodate various fitness levels on our Grand Canyon adventures.

Many people however, wanting to best prepare for their upcoming vacation have requested fitness recommendations in order to maximize their experience at the Grand Canyon.

This article is written as a suggested guideline to physically prepare for your Grand Canyon Adventure.

Canyon Rim Adventures, Inc. trips take place in a variety of terrain. Our Spring and Fall Vacation explores sandstone desert topography. Hiking along sandstone shelf like layers, with cactus and juniper shrub trees interspersed between the rocks. The trails can either be of rock, some sand, and small gravel in composite. This trip is active from dawn until dusk. Mileage can vary, but if you try to do a cardiovascular workout at least 3-5 times a week, you should do well on this trip. Some of the hikes drop in elevation about 1,000 feet over several miles. The trails sometimes switchback, or diagonally descend. These are the same trails used to hike back out, which can give the upper thighs and knees a workout.

In regards to the cardiovascular workouts, these can include but are not limited to running, walking, spin cycling, road cycling, and swimming.

This fitness suggestion also holds true for the other two trips we operate, which are our Grand Canyon North Rim Hiking Package, and Grand Canyon Multi-Sport Adventure. While we may have more camp time on these trips, and terrain is set in Ponderosa and Aspen forests. The trails are usually dirt, with some becoming gravel in composite. Descending into the Grand Canyon the trails can follow either the switchback patterns, or diagonal trailing.

These two trips occur on the Kaibab Plateau. The Plateau is 8,000-9,000 feet above sea level in elevation. Even though this is quite an alpine elevation, most people do very well adjusting to it.

By staying in Kanab, Utah (elevation 5,500 feet above sea level) the night before the trip, you will start acclimatize. The most important action people can do, is drink plenty of water and try your best to stay hydrated. In the desert climate, the human body could easily use 1 gallon of water per day. Gatorade, and juice can also be added to this accumulation, but carbonated beverages can have a dehydrating effect.

I hope this physical fitness information has been helpful in planning the preparedness for your upcoming vacation. If you have more specific questions, please contact our office either by email at canyonrim@kanab.net or by phone at 1-800-897-9633.


Thank you,

Joan Keller
Vice-President
Canyon Rim Adventures, Inc.