Half Day Private Grand Canyon Guided Hiking Tour

This was an amazing hike. Although we hike often in northeast we were blown away with the beauty and vastness of the Grand Canyon. And John was an excellent guide!! He was able to figure out our activity level. John kept us comfortable but still allowing us to feel challenged. The dinner was amazing and the photos John took will be treasured for years to come!! Highly recommend!!!!!!

Awesome experience! Very knowledgeable guide, well prepared and very friendly! Incredible views! Nice pics!

It was a great hike. Jon was great and very patient since I am not an experienced hiker. I walk a lot, but it is not the same. Great views and pictures, and a great lunch. And he was very flexible on our scheduled time as we had to change it some due to problems with other activities. I would highly recommend him.

Our guide Kevin was amazing! He was knowledgeable about things in the area, as well as the canyon! He was very conscientious of our needs during the hike and took great care of us! We enjoyed our sunset hike so much!

Jon was a fantastic guide. Totally prepared for anything. We felt safe the entire hike. Jon was so knowledgeable about the canyon and he took amazing photos we will enjoy forever! I would highly recommend this hike and Jon!

My daughter and I had a great experience with Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes. John was very helpful throughout our planning process and Kevin was a great guide on hike day. He taught us a lot about the canyon, it's wildlife and was there for encouragement when we needed it. We were happy to have spent his birthday with him!

Kevin was an amazing tour guide! We went deep into the canyon and the views are so beautiful! We had a girl’s trip and Kevin took great care of us! You should do it!!!

Wonderful tour. Our guide, Keqin, was a blast to be with. He was a wealth of knowledge which added greatly to the excursion.

Our private Grand Canyon hike with Kevin was the highlight of our two-week trip, which included the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Four Corners, Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion. Earlier in the trip, we hiked the popular Bright Angel Trail on our own to the Three-Mile Resthouse. It was beautiful but crowded. Kevin later guided us down the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point—about 2,000 feet below the rim—where the views were incredible. With far fewer people than we encountered on Bright Angel, the experience felt much more personal. Kevin’s passion for what he does was evident throughout. He shared insights about the trail, rock formations, plants, and wildlife while paying close attention to our pace and abilities and making recommendations along the way. We were provided with packs, poles, water, Gatorade, and a goodie bag containing snacks, a poncho, toilet paper, and even wipes—everything we might need below the rim. At Skeleton Point, Kevin prepared an outstanding fresh chicken-wrap lunch while my wife and I explored. We encountered several other guided groups during our trip. Although I’m sure their guides did a fine job, what we observed made us appreciate just how personal, thoughtful, and complete our experience with Kevin was.

Our guide John was awesome. He has designed a unique hike that starts in the afternoon and ends climbing out as the sun is going down. He provides walking poles (and teaches you how to use them), he provides tons of healthy snacks, water, Gatorade, and dinner at the bottom of the descent! We recommend him without reservation but you need a reservation to book the hike with him! :)

We could not have asked for a better guide and experience! Kevin, our guide was amazing! He was very knowledgeable, a great personality and gave us the hike that checked every box. No worries at all, every thing was taken care of for us, from equitment to a delicious dinner. One of the best ways to experience the Grand Canyon for the first time, going below the rim gives you such a different appreciation for the awesomeness of this place. Only Grand Canyon Tours is a small, family owned business where you can really feel the passion and personal touch, I would recommend to EVERYONE who visits!

I cannot thank Jon with Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes enough! We'd never been to the Grand Canyon, so I went to Viator looking for Grand Canyon excursions with lots of 5-star ratings, saw that Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes had many of those, selected it and hit the jackpot. Didn't read the fine print, and wasn't sure how it would be. Didn't matter! Jon was prepared with anything and everything we could possibly want or need (trekking poles, back packs, water, a frozen Gatorade that melted to a perfect refreshing slush just when we needed it, and a goodie bag extravaganza that has to be seen to be believed filled with M&M's, peanut butter filled pretzels, Skittles, more great snacks, toilet paper and a map!). And headlamps (yes, headlamps!) Jon curated the excursion based on our fitness/preparedness (which he expertly gaged within a very short time of meeting us) and gave us perfect instruction on how to use the trekking poles. Plenty of stops for water breaks, snack breaks and photo ops! He selected a 3-mile hour trek down the Grand Canyon starting the starting at the South Kaibab trail to O'Neill Butte, the most picturesque, panoramic spot you could wish for, for a sunset dinner. Yes! Sunset dinner! We arrived at our destination and while my husband and I were taking in the view and talking about how much fun we were having, Jon was inconspicuously preparing a beautiful dinner for us: chicken avocado tomato sandwich brilliantly seasoned and topped with cheese, hummus and a savory dressing. I thought I was too excited to be hungry, but I ate every single bite! Delicious! Fresh! It was so substantial I needed a fork (and of course he had one at the ready--he kept pulling out the perfect thing from his backpack like Santa Claus). I feel like we experienced the Grand Canyon in the most unique, intimate and wonderful way. As we maneuvered down to our dinner destination in the afternoon, exhausted hikers were straggling back up the trail (a couple of whom Jon provided emergency water for). After our dinner, we made our climb as the sun was setting and a gentle breeze was blowing. Everything was choreographed in the perfect way. As the sun set a bright half-moon rose to light our way. As darkness fell, we were guided by our headlamps and starlight. Magic! This was a perfect excursion. Go with Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes. You will be thrilled!

This is by far one of the best experiences I have ever had. My 14 year old daughter who is super picky agrees with me. This is not your typical driving to the Grand Canyon in the bus and stay for 20-30 minutes taking photos tour. This is an actual hike going down into Grand Canyon. Physically demanding but definitely doable even for someone like me who is in her 50s and not athletic. Kevin was our guide and I cannot say enough good things about him. He was very informative and spoke about history and topography of Grand Cayman. He knew all the best spots for amazing view and photos. He brought the backpacks with all the supplies needed for us and some tasty snacks. He also made us lunch which was absolutely delicious. My daughter and I could not have asked for better experience. Highly recommend!!!

Worth the money for any level hiker not familiar with the canyon, or looking for a next level experience / adventure. From the initial booking to execution, communication with the provider was exemplary. Our guide (Jon), and his team ensured we didn’t need a thing. This made our travel logistics planning so much easier, and probably wouldn’t have been as prepared as what she needed to be. I was so impressed at our guide’s ability to recognize and adapt. Both my wife and I are athletes. Jon quietly gaged out abilities and provided enough instruction to take us an execution level that quite frankly didn’t think we had. During the hike, he was so in tuned with our performance and environment that made the experience more than either of us expected. Having a Top Level Canyon Expert Guide makes a world of difference. We felt safe in the extreme! He also kindly provided guidance and care to all hikers that we encountered. The unequivocal expert of the trail. We will hire this same company for our next big adventure. Additionally, having the guarantees that Viator provides makes the expense more palatable. Lastly, regarding “the best food in the Grand Canyon”- Validated!…And NO BUGS!

We had an absolutely fantastic time hiking the Grand Canyon! The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful, with passing thunderstorms and the most incredible rainbows adding to the experience. Our guide, Kevin, was a true wealth of knowledge and so gracious about letting us go at our own pace. The breathtaking views, unforgettable adventure, and time together as a family created memories we’ll cherish forever. Truly an experience we’ll never forget!

We were with Francesca for a hike down into the canyon (about a mile) and we stopped at Dessert view for a relaxing lunch and sight seeing, with several more iconic views along the south rim. Francesca is extremely familiar with both the canyon and the local Navajo history along with several species of plant life and how they rejuvenate the forest after a wildfire along with how these plants can help your personal health, both mental and physical. She was great to spend the day with.

Jon was positively exceptional! He promised to give us an epic day and he really delivered. He instilled confidence in us and we went further and did things we 100% would not have, if we'd just gone out on our own. What could have been a short hike to the places everyone else goes ended up being an adventure to spots that were completely empty and moments that were unforgettable. He made us a delicious meal and made sure we were hydrated and fueled throughout the hike. This ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip. If you're going to the Grand Canyon, this is an absolute must.

If I could give this experience more than five stars, I would. This hike was far better than anything we could have imagined, and Jon was a huge part of what made it so special. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable about the Grand Canyon and the surrounding area, but you can tell he genuinely loves what he does. He hikes these trails every day (even on his days off) and his passion and expertise showed throughout the entire experience. What impressed me most was how prepared he was. He had thought of absolutely everything before we even knew we needed it: plenty of water, food, snacks, toiletries, and countless little essentials that ended up being exactly what we needed at the perfect moment. We never had to worry about a thing. Jon also genuinely cares about everyone on the trail. He was constantly checking in, not just with us but with other hikers as well, making sure people were doing okay and had enough water. His awareness, kindness, and commitment to safety were remarkable. The sunset experience was truly unforgettable. Having the Grand Canyon completely to ourselves as the sun went down was one of the most special moments of my life and something I will never forget. As an added bonus, Jon took incredible photos throughout the hike. I've paid significantly more for professional photos that weren't nearly this good. He knew all the best angles, locations, and moments to capture, and the pictures perfectly preserved the experience. Checking a Grand Canyon hike off my bucket list would have been amazing no matter what, but Jon turned it into something extraordinary. This wasn't just a hike, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I cannot recommend it enough.

The half day sunset hike experience went beyond our expectations! The Kaibab Trail we were guided on was challenging yet so worth it with amazing views into the Grand Canyon. Our guide John was extremely patient knowledgeable and prepared to guide us through the day . We appreciated all the snacks and freshly prepared food for dinner that John prepared at one of the vistas we stopped at during our hike. Any questions about the canyon John was extremely educated . He was also our personal photographer and videographer. Thank you John for capturing some memorable moments for us ! The hiking trail along with the most beautiful and , peaceful sunset completed our experience.

Our hike was all we expected and more! The guides were fantastic, they can accommodate the pace and length to your group. Highly recommend.

We had a fantastic half day hike down into the Grand Canyon with Jon as our guide. He provided us with everything needed, including poles which he taught us how to use properly, water, gatorade, snacks, and dinner. He also provided encouragement and proper pacing which allowed us to to go further than we would have otherwise. He was able to see we are out of shape so he paced us so we could make it all the way past Windy Ridge to Cedar Ridge and get some great photos. Jon has been a guide for 28 years, so he knew everything about the canyon. The one thing everyone should know is that being in the canyon is a totally different experience than being on the rim, and the best and safest way to be in the canyon is with a guide.

I cannot recommend this company and their phenomenal guides highly enough. My husband and I opted for a private tour, and it was absolutely the best decision we could have made. Taking a private excursion allowed us to move at our own pace and enjoy a deeply personalized experience that felt tailored specifically to us. The process began with John, who reached out before our trip to coordinate every detail. He took the time to call me to understand our comfort levels and what we hoped to get out of the hike. That level of clear communication and professional care was much appreciated. On the day of our tour, we were picked up directly from our hotel in Flagstaff in a spacious, comfortable van. Having someone else handle the ninety-minute drive and the stress of canyon parking was a luxury that made the entire day feel seamless. Our guide, Christy, was simply fabulous. She was personable, kind, and possessed an incredible wealth of knowledge about the canyon’s history and the surrounding nature. Having hiked the Grand Canyon well over a hundred times, she was a true expert. Since my husband and I had never tackled a hike of this magnitude, her encouragement was much appreciated. She consistently reminded us to enjoy the moment and promised to get us down and back safely, which immediately put our minds at ease. The logistics were handled with perfection. They provided all the necessary gear, including hiking poles that were a total game changer for balance and weight distribution. They even supplied individual backpacks for each of us so our own belongings stayed clean and dust-free. We were also blown away by the supplies. They brought an abundance of water and electrolytes along with a massive variety of snacks like pretzels and trail mix to keep our energy up. To top it all off, Christy prepared a fresh chicken wrap right on the trail. Eating a delicious meal in the middle of the Grand Canyon was an unforgettable highlight. Choosing the sunset tour for our March trip was perfect. As we began our ascent back up, the sun started to dip and the temperature cooled significantly. This made the hike back up so much easier, and we practically flew through it. The sunset itself was truly gorgeous, looking like something straight out of a movie or a travel magazine. This experience was a true 11/10. Whether you are a couple or a family, the private tour is worth every penny for the expertise and peace of mind it provides. We are already planning to return and using this tour service.

This was a perfect hike! Kevin made the day so special for us. He took the time to really understand the needs of our group and tailored our day to where it was so much fun!! Extremely professional operation. Great communication. Highly recommend.

The Grand Canyon is breathtaking and the experience, knowledge, good human nature of our tour guides (Jon & Kevin) was second to none. They know how to make the experience truly a memorable and enjoyable day.

Kevin was a terrific guide! Very informative as well as conscience of personalizing our hike to meet our specific level of experience and expectations. This hike checked ALL our boxes. Wonderful day in the Canyon! Thanks, Kevin!

Jon was the best tour guide! He was knowledgeable and encouraging to our kids (and adults!). Everything was taken care of, from transportation, snacks, lunch and hiking gear, which were all exceptional. He took beautiful pictures of our family and the beautiful views.

It was an amazing experience. Kevin was an excellent guide both friendly and knowledgeable. I was amazed how prepared he was for the hike from drinks, snacks, to dinner, it was very well planned. He took many, many photos for us that will be a priceless memento. I highly recommend this company!

This was an AMAZING experience. I would recommend this over any other activity in the Grand Canyon. You get amazing views and great photos. Jon was great at helping to set a pace that is reasonable. We did down to skeleton point and it was amazing how as you go down further there is fewer people so it’s truly an unforgettable experience!

We feel so fortunate to have scheduled this day hike with Only Grand Canyon Hikes. We had Kevin as our guide and he was truly fantastic. He was so engaging with our kids (6.5 and 10) and they felt so accomplished after finishing the hike. This hike was absolutely the highlight of our trip to the Grand Canyon! Thank you Kevin and Jon

I was somewhat skeptical and apprehensive about signing up for this hiking tour with my 12 and 10 year old but I’m so glad we did it! Christy was a fantastic hiking guide and made it fun and engaging for us the whole way. She kept us at just the right pace for us out of shape parents and kids did so well. This was truly the best way to experience the Grand Canyon with the family that I’m certain they will never forget.

We had a great time with Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes. Jon (owner) was great with communication, and Kevin (our guide) took great care of us. Kevin tailored the hike to our needs, and supplied us with a full bag of snacks, a headlamp, a great fitting backpack, water, frozen Gatorade (truly amazing when you are hot and tired), and made us a tasty chicken salad wrap for dinner at sunset. He explained the various levels of rock as we passed them and pointed out a few cool details we would’ve missed without his insight. We felt safe and well cared for and would totally do this hike with this outfitter again. Jon has been doing this for 28 years and his hike showcases the best places to experience the canyon below the rim. It’s a very different experience below the rim, I highly recommended it!

We had an amazing experience hiking the South Kaibab Trail down and back with Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes. From the start, their communication was excellent and made us feel well-prepared and excited for the hike. Our group included a mix of beginner and experienced hikers, as well as an athletic 8 year old, and the experience was fun for all of us. Our guide, Jon, was absolutely fantastic. He took care of everything. He drove us to the trailhead and provided all the necessary gear, including water, backpacks, snacks, and trekking poles. The hike felt very manageable thanks to how well everything was organized. What really stood out was how Jon tailored the hike to our abilities. He clearly knows the canyon inside and out, leading us to incredible viewpoints and photo spots away from the crowds. Along the way, he kept us informed about what to expect, which made us feel comfortable and confident the entire time. One of the highlights was reaching O’Neill Butte, where Jon made us delicious chicken and vegetarian wraps. Between the great pacing, expert guidance, and perfect weather, the hike down and back up felt totally doable and incredibly rewarding. Because of our wonderful experience, we can’t wait to go back and try hiking all the way down to Phantom Ranch. We highly recommend Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes for anyone looking to explore the canyon in a safe, personalized, and truly enjoyable way.

Jon was great and so patient with my skill level. So many snacks and dinner was delish. Sunset hike was awesome with amazing views.

A amazing way to experience the Grand Canyon. Jon covered all the details including perfectly fitted backpacks, water,sunscreen and snacks. Jon taught us proper hiking pole techniques . We enjoyed a freshly prepared lunch by Jon - I highly recommend this tour!

Amazing experience - Jon took care of all the details including perfectly fitted back packs, water bottles, snacks and a freshly prepared lunch . He also taught us proper use of hiking poles! We had plenty of stops for water and photos- highly recommend this tour!

We totally enjoyed the experience. Snack bags are the bomb. Would recommend 10x. Thank you so much .. we will be back! Attention to detail and being so accommodating..the best!

Kevin helped our family have an unforgettable day in the canyon. It was cold and windy but with his calm and confidence he expertly led us all the way to Skeleton point and then made us the best lunch ever. I cannot recommend this trip enough. Truly the highlight of our vacation. First rate from start to finish and we felt so lucky to have Kevin as our fearless leader. He kept the five of us on track, safe and upbeat. Just go!

One of the best hiking experiences of our lives! Our guide and company owner, John, provided every thing we needed- poles, packs, snacks , water, and a delicious trailside dinner. John was extremely experienced and knowledgeable about the trails, and provided guidance on how to best utilize poles and navigate the terrain. Hikes are tailored to the group’s ability and skill level. He even showed us the best photo opportunities and took some amazing photos of our group. We even experienced an unexpected citing of a Big Horn sheep, who seemed to pose for photos. Would highly recommend Only Grand Canyon Day Hikes. We will absolutely use them again on our next trip down the canyon. Worth every penny!!

Kevin was a fantastic guide. My husband, 17 year old son, and I all agree our day couldn’t have been better. Kevin paced our hike perfectly, and kept us going at a pace which somehow worked for all of us. We learned so much, had fun, and the food!!! We all were well fed with snacks and lunch — even the gluten free and dairy free folks. I hiked Grand Canyon years ago and still to this day remember being terrified. Not today! I felt safe every step of the way. If you are reading this review and remotely thinking of hiking with them, DO IT! You will be so grateful you did.

Incredible day. Guide customized hike to our wishes and exceeded them. Incredible views. Best photo memories. Amazing look out spots. Informed and insightful on GC terrain and safety. Probably the best hike my son and I have ever done together. Highly recommend.

Kevin was a fantastic guide--not only did he take us 2.1 miles below the rim and back, but he was also our expert photographer and chef. Our daughter had a fear of heights and he calmed her nerves along the way--she came out like a pro. We had a fantastic family adventure that we will remember forever. Last, it's awesome that they supply everything--we just needed to show up! Make sure you have a trail runner athletic shoe or light weight hiking shoe. This tour is worth it especially if you only have a short time.

Our hike into the Grand Canyon with Christy was just spectacular!!!! We learned things about the canyon we never would have if we hiked alone. She was continuously checking in with us to make sure we were not over exerting ourselves. She knew exactly where to catch the most amazing photographs especially of the gorgeous sunset. We highly recommend Christy to accompany you if you’ve never hiked the canyon. You will NOT be disappointed!!!

I've always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon and finally decided I'm not getting any younger. The time is now. We thankfully decided to go with a guide and Kevin was a perfect leader. His knowledge of the trail, wildlife, and history of the canyon was superb. He entertained my kids, shared hiking stories with my husband but most importantly, encouraged me to stay the course. I'm afraid of heights and endurance is not my strength. Kevin was patient, professional, and most important, enjoyable. Thankful for an incredible day.

Our guide was great! He took his time with us, For anyone doing this for the first time, go with Only Grand Canyon hikes. It is worth every penny.

I was traveling with my husband and two teenage boys. Of course the boys were much faster than me and took off. Jon, our guide stayed with me and helped to make sure I made it back up from the hike. The views were beautiful. Jon was very knowledgeable and tailored the hike to the needs of our whole family. We had a great experience

Found the brochure in the Hotel lobby late upon arrival. Called the next morning and hiked into the Grand Canyon that afternoon. Our guide Kevin was entertaining, knowledgeable, took great photos and genuinely enjoyed his job. He packed us snacks, drinks and dinner. As advertised it was only me, my wife and Kevin. We met with John, the Tours owner along the way for a fabulous picture session, our friends are in awe. We walked away happy and well-educated regarding life at the Grand Canyon. Should we return, we will do it again, only push for an all-day event. Great trip, great memories, great people!

We spent the day with Jon, and it was hands down, absolutely one of our favorite days! First, we are not seasoned hikers. If anything, nature and hiking feels intimidating. I can confidently say that I’m so much more knowledgeable and confident now after our experience with Jon! Jon picked us up from our hotel, gave us water, camelpaks, snack bags, Gatorade, walking sticks (basically all the essentials, we didn’t need to bring anything!), and dropped us off at the hike point while we were able to go get settled, use the restrooms, explore while he went and parked the car. He met back up with us and got us settled into our backpacks, gave us a great rundown of where we were headed and taught us how to use our walking sticks going downhill. Throughout the whole hike, Jon knew exactly where and how to take pictures. I don’t think we could’ve asked for better! Jon made us an amazing and fresh meal in a secluded, quiet part of our hike. We even saw mules!! It was perfect, gave us the fuel to start our trek out of the canyon. The uphill trek felt so daunting because we knew what we hiked down, but Jon taught us the walking stick technique where my husband, and I weren’t winded at all! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience for our first time in the Grand Canyon. We’re leaving feeling cared for, educated, and in awe of all we were able to see and experience. Thank you, Jon! You are fantastic!

This was an amazing hike that met all of our expectations. Jon was an experienced guide who had everything we needed and more (even Chapstick). Well worth the price. I highly recommend!

By far, the best experience we had on our entire trip. Our guide was so attentive, so nice new everything that there was to know kept us safe and made the hike the most enjoyable part of our trip. We loved it!