Hiking the Dripping Springs Trail in Grand Canyon National Park
Distance: 6.4 miles / 10.3 km
The Dripping Springs Trail in Grand Canyon National Park is a beautiful side trail that winds its way down to a natural desert spring, off the much longer and more involved Hermit and Boucher Trails, which lead to some of the most remote areas within the Grand Canyon.
That said, Dripping Springs is neither as remote nor as deep into the canyon as these other adventures, making it the best day hike from Hermit’s Rest, as the trail only loses about 1,480 ft. (451 m), which is considerably mild compared to how much farther countless other trails descend into the canyon.
Dripping Springs Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Dripping Springs Trail depends entirely on the time of year you decide to visit the Grand Canyon.
By this, I mean that Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles from March 1 - November 30, which means that outside of this window, parking is available at Hermit’s Rest.
However, during the busier months, hikers must ride the free Grand Canyon Shuttle to Hermit’s Rest, with parking available near the beginning of the route—typically as close to the Bright Angel Trail, along the Rim Trail, as you can find.
Google Maps Directions: Dripping Springs Trailhead (Hermit’s Rest)
Hiking Checklist - Grand Canyon
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Grand Canyon National Park.
Hiking the Dripping Springs Trail
Beginning at the Hermit Trailhead at the very far end of Hermit Road, the hike to Dripping Springs begins on the Hermit Trail for the first 1.5 miles (2.4 km).
Immediately after leaving the trailhead, the Hermit Trail begins descending 27 switchbacks to the Waldron Trail junction, the point on the hike to Dripping Springs where the trail significantly levels out.
Signs just like this can be found on a variety of routes below the rim of the Grand Canyon, which I can confidently say come from a good place.
I have seen hikers rescued during the heat of summer, as well as airlifted from the bottom of the canyon during the cooler, off-season months, because people of all abilities severely underestimate their hiking abilities and the elevation change, since the descent is so easy!
All this to say, know your limits before hiking below the rim of Grand Canyon.
These initial 27 switchbacks descend roughly 1,220 ft. (372 m) in the first 1.25 miles (2.0 km) to the Waldron junction.
Throughout Grand Canyon National Park, and particularly along a number of trails across the South Rim—like the South Kaibab Trail, the Bright Angel Trail, and the Rim Trail—hikers can find fossils just like this, if you know where to look!
Some hikers may prefer to bring trekking poles for the steep hike to Dripping Springs, which can certainly be useful here and on any trail below the rim of the Grand Canyon.
In addition to poles, I always recommend hiking in a hooded sun shirt on these long, exposed Southwest trails.
In my experience, the beginning of the Hermit Trail is significantly less busy compared to the first few miles of both the Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail—especially the beginning sections of the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point.
This is the 27th and final switchback on the initial steep descent.
Hermit-Waldron Junction
After 1.25 miles (2.0 km), the Hermit Trail reaches the first and only junction before it splits with the Dripping Springs Trail.
That said, the Waldron Trail is simply a neighboring route that descends into Hermit Basin from the canyon rim—except that reaching the Waldron Trailhead isn’t nearly as easy as Hermit’s Rest, given that a high-clearance 4WD vehicle is needed to access the trailhead.
In any case, go straight at this junction to continue down to the Dripping Springs Trail, about 0.25 miles (0.4 km) ahead.
Between the Waldron Junction and the Dripping Springs Trail, the Hermit Trail continues to descend, but the descent is much more gradual compared to the initial switchbacks.
Dripping Springs-Hermit Junction
After 1.5 miles (2.4 km), the Hermit Trail reaches this second junction, where the true Dripping Springs Trail begins.
That said, go left to leave the Hermit Trail and begin hiking to Dripping Springs, about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) away from this split.
Once on the Dripping Springs Trail, the hike is mostly flat, with only a few very short hills along the the way.
This is the view, looking up Hermit Creek Canyon, where the Dripping Springs Trail will slowly wind its way to the very back.
After rounding the bend in the photo above, the Dripping Springs Trail comes to the first of two large recesses in the cliff below the canyon rim.
These are good to keep track of because, once past the second, the rest of the Dripping Springs Trail enters Hermit Creek Canyon, where the end of the trail feels closer than ever before!
This very short, unsuspecting section is the most dangerous part of the entire hike to Dripping Springs, because a slip or fall to the right could have fatal consequences.
For this reason, micro-spikes may be necessary if there is snow in the canyon, but throughout the year, hiking poles can be useful to navigate this section safely!
This is the view looking down Hermit Creek Canyon.
After rounding this next bend, the Dripping Springs Trail enters the second large recess before Hermit Creek Canyon.
The second recess is much shorter and quicker than the first!
This section is as steep as the Dripping Springs Trail gets.
Hermit Creek Canyon
With about 0.6 miles (1.0 km) remaining before the end, the Dripping Springs Trail enters Hermit Creek Canyon.
Dripping Springs-Boucher Junction
The third and final time the hike to Dripping Springs splits is at the beginning of the Boucher Trail, which leads down to the West Tonto Trail and some of the most remote areas of Grand Canyon National Park.
For those unfamiliar, both the East and West Tonto Trails are among the most challenging backcountry routes in the Grand Canyon, as finding reliable water sources is more than an arduous task. This is typically why visitors only hike small sections of the Tonto Trail—such as the East Tonto Trail between the Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab Trail.
In any case, go left at this final split to continue up to Dripping Springs at the end of Hermit Creek Canyon.
Something unfortunate, but also important, that must be said about areas with more vegetation—like the end of the Dripping Springs Trail—is that it’s important to be careful about where you are stepping.
Rattlesnakes are a very real possibility at all elevations of the Grand Canyon, which is why I want to encourage all hikers to be vigilant—not worried.
According to the National Park Service, juniper berries are considered to be edible, but they are not something I recommend—I am speaking from experience!
After turning this final switchback, the Dripping Springs Trail navigates its way straight toward the natural spring at the base of the cliff—less than 0.2 miles (0.3 km) away.
Dripping Springs
The end of the Dripping Springs Trail is this alcove, where two natural perennial springs drip from the overhang. The second spring is just a short distance past the first.
For those who are familiar, Dripping Springs is a lot like Neck Spring on the Neck Spring Trail in Canyonlands National Park, as it can be a reliable year-round water source—truly one of the few in the area!
On a different note, Dripping Springs is often considered the only out-and-back day hiking destination off Hermit’s Rest, as both the Boucher Trail and Hermit Trail drop to much farther and more remote places within the Grand Canyon.
That said, I highly recommend hiking back up to Hermit’s Rest if Dripping Springs is all that you planned, as any hike farther into the canyon requires much more preparation than this shorter day hike.
