Hermit Trail to Santa Maria Spring
A rugged historic trail to a shaded spring alcove below the South Rim.
Route overview
Descend the Hermit Trail to Santa Maria Spring and return the same way.
Hermit Trail descends steeply on rocky, less-maintained terrain built in 1911. Santa Maria Spring is the standard day-hike destination, reached after 2.5 miles and significant elevation loss. Spring water must always be treated, and rescue may take hours or days.
Trail facts
- Country
- United States
- Region
- South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- Distance
- 8.0 km round trip
- Typical duration
- 4–6 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- approximately 512 m on return
- Best season
- Autumn through spring; avoid summer heat
- Trail type
- Out and back
Access and logistics
- Permits and access
- No for day hiking
Safety context
Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure. Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure.
Rough trail, heat, winter ice, unreliable water, slow rescue and route damage
Highlights
Santa Maria Spring, historic cobbled trail, Hermit Basin views
Why find a buddy
The rough trail and delayed rescue environment make matched experience and self-rescue capability important.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.