Three Mile Resthouse - Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

Andrew R.

Glad for the rest house. If you’re not in decent shape you might want to turn around here. I stopped here on my way down to the camp ground and back up the next day. The water was turned off due to winter but bathrooms are open. Great views from here.

Michael R.

Great hike. Easy if it is not hot. We started at 1pm, arrived at 3-mile rest stop at 2:30, and were all back up at the trailhead by 4:15pm. Temperatures at the trailhead were near 50 degrees and warm slightly as you descend. We went with three kids (around 10 yr old). Hike time estimates at the trailhead are conservatively stated, likely assuming hot weather and hikers in moderately healthy physical condition.

AG

Very doable. If you start the hike by 9 am you’ll have plenty of shade on the way back. Well paved roads all the way through.

Liming L.

Great place, incredible view, especially love the Bright Engel Trail. Highly recommend to go to the trail. We walked down to 3 miles and it takes total 3.5 hours to get back. Will consider to go again and walk across the canyon to the north point.

IndyKevin317

This is exactly three miles down the trail so if you hike here you have to hike three miles back which is a six mile round trip. It doesn’t sound like much, but it is way more than you think. If you do not exercise regularly or you are not an avid hiker, put your ego aside and turn around and start the hike back up the Bright Angel Trail. I have hiked it twice and each time I tell myself that I should have trained more. If you really want to prepare for this hike, get on a stair master machine every day until you can do it for three hours straight.

Hank S.

The most important single thing you can do before you hike Bright Angel Trial is to pre-hydrate 48 hours before you start your hike. If you are thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Arizona sucks water out of you like a vampire. You're dead before you know it. For me the best views on Bright Angel Trail are along the river and up through Pipe Creek Canyon to Indian Garden. If you're coming from the bottom, Three Mile Resthouse means you are almost to the top. It is a nice spot to spend 10 or 15 minutes catching your breath for the final climb out of The Grand Canyon and to the nearest spot that sells a cold beer. Hiking in The Grand Canyon is a mental and physical challenge for the average hiker. I see people running up! Not me though. I average about 1 mph, when I factor in stopping to take pictures with my Canon SX720, which is, I think the perfect camera for this hike: light-weight, incredible zoom and lots of battery life. Always check the weather and water situation with the rangers before you begin this hike. Lightning storms during the monsoon are incredible events that will scare you to death. Sometimes the water lines break, so check. On a moderately hot day here in Arizona, I average 32 ounces of water for every two miles I hike in this kind of terrain. There is a 4,700 foot elevation change in just 9 miles. I take extra water with me to splash on my face, feet, pour on my cooling towel and have some extra to offer fellow hikers in need. Water is life out here in the desert. Always bring extra just in case you need it or a fellow hiker needs it. I never take my heavy cameras. A 5 pound Canon 5D Mark IV with a 200mm L lens becomes a 25 pound canon ball around your neck on the way back up. In Arizona, rule number 1 is: when you're hiking in a challenging environment like The Grand Canyon, if you're halfway done with your water, you are halfway done with your hike. Period. I've seen people wandering around like zombies. It is frightening how fast you deteriorate without water. Juice up your water with supplements. Always listen to our rangers. They always know the best course of action to take. Never be so committed to your hike that you ignore the weather. I've seen big rocks coming down during a downpour. The water, the rocks and the lightning ain't not joke folks. Bring an extra pair of socks. When you reach the halfway point of your hike, let your feet air out and put on fresh socks for the hike back up. When you walk up, think like a mule. Never step up onto something when you have to step down. Look 10 feet ahead and find the flattest parts of the trail to step in. Step over the log breaks and stone walls, not on them. They are often the highest points on the trail. Don't be in a hurry. Be sure and stop to take this stunning scenery in. Cheers! Be safe and leave it better than when you found it.

Joe G.

Part of Bright Angel trail - there’s a water/rest stop at 1.5 and 3 miles. Challenging but definitely worth the hike - I don’t have a ton of endurance but if I did, I would have tried to go to Indian point (4.5 miles) and onto the plateau to see the river.

Bring: 2 water bottles, lots of sunscreen & a towel to cover your neck/ears, and a walking stick (wish I brought one).

Ralph W.

Great place to rest before the last push to the top during a rim to rim!

Water, bathrooms, benches and an amazing view... What more could you want. 🙂

Watch out for the squirrels, they will stay anything you set down... Socks, food, camera straps etc etc! Ha!!