River Trail (Arizona)

River Trail
Zoroaster Temple and suspension bridges from River Trail
Length	2 mi (3 km)
Location	Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States
Trailheads	Bright Angel Trail South Kaibab Trail
Use	Hiking Stock (Horse use)
Elevation
Highest point	Cliff above Colorado River, 2,800 ft (850 m)
Lowest point	Colorado River, 2,400 ft (730 m)
Hiking details
Trail difficulty	Moderate
Season	Year Round
Sights	Grand Canyon Colorado River
Hazards	Severe Weather Overexertion Dehydration

The River Trail is a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, located in the U.S. state of Arizona. This trail connects the end of the Bright Angel Trail with Phantom Ranch and the South Kaibab Trail.

Though it has no official trailhead, the River Trail is an important link in the trail system in Grand Canyon. This trail connects the Bright Angel Trail at its western terminus with Phantom Ranch and the Bright Angel Campground via the silver suspension bridge. One mile (1.6 km) beyond the silver bridge is the eastern terminus and junction with the South Kaibab Trail. Heading north on the South Kaibab Trail leads to the black suspension bridge and across the river to the North Kaibab Trail junction.

Grand Canyon National Park categorizes the River Trail as a corridor trail, and receives regular maintenance and patrols by park rangers.

On 31 July and 1 August 2006, passing thunderstorms eroded long sections of the River Trail at an area called the sand dunes, exposing power and water lines that run along and under the trail's road bed. The sand dunes are an area of trail made up of beach sand that winds have blown up the side of the inner gorge along the south bank of the Colorado River. The trail was briefly closed to mule traffic but remained open to hikers. Repairs were expected to take seven to fourteen days.

The primary water source along the River Trail is the Colorado River. If water is to be taken from the river for drinking, it must be either filtered, treated, or boiled before consuming.