Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
Trails in Arizona
Photo: Kaibab National Forest / CC BY-SA 2.0
Part of Grand Canyon National Park
What to Pack for Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
A well-packed bag handles most of what this area can throw at you.
Between the Desert terrain and bear activity, your pack for Long Jim needs a few specific items.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
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First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
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Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
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Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
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Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
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Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.
Wildlife Gear
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Bear canister — Many backcountry areas require approved bear canisters; an improperly stored food bag can result in fines and lost supplies.
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Bear spray — A 30-foot spray cone gives you a critical buffer zone during a charge, without requiring precise aim under extreme stress.
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Bear bell — Bears typically avoid humans when given advance warning; the steady jingle of a bear bell lets them move away before you arrive.
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
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Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
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Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
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First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.
Terrain Gear
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Wide-brim hat — At high elevation where UV is 10-12% stronger per 1,000 feet of gain, a hat provides constant passive protection.
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Sunscreen SPF50+ — Sunburn isn't just discomfort — severe burns cause fluid loss, fatigue, and impaired thermoregulation that compound in remote settings.
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Extra water (desert) — In arid heat, your body loses 1-2 liters per hour during exertion; running out of water in the desert is life-threatening.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep is the prime window for visiting Long Jim, when conditions favor hiking and the weather cooperates.
With a photography score of 65/100, Long Jim offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.
Activities
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hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
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photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
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picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
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running — Trail running combines endurance with changing terrain and natural views.
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walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
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wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Desert — Cacti, shrubs, and drought-tolerant plants dominate arid landscapes.
Wildlife Safety at Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
A few species in this area warrant awareness — here's what to keep in mind.
Long Jim carries a danger score of 45/10, driven primarily by bears.
- Bears present
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (169mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Bears
Black Bear inhabit the forests around Long Jim, foraging for berries, insects, and nuts.
Color varies widely from jet black to cinnamon brown, and occasionally blond, sometimes with a pale chest patch.
Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant containers and keep a clean campsite.
- Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
- Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
- Make noise while hiking
- Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
- Back away slowly if you encounter a bear
Venomous Snakes
Watch your step — Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder are present in the Desert habitat around Long Jim.
Typically gray to brown with sharply defined dark diamonds bordered in pale scales.
Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.
Color ranges from greenish-gray to brown, often blending with desert soils.
Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.
Light tan or sandy coloration with darker blotches along the back.
Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.
- Watch where you step and place hands
- Stay on trails
- Wear boots and long pants in snake country
- Do not reach under rocks or logs
- If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
- Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol
Nature & Wildlife at Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
Biodiversity at Long Jim is shaped by the Desert terrain and Semi-Arid climate, producing distinct plant and animal communities.
Trees (2)
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Gambel Oak — The bark is gray and furrowed, while acorns develop singly or in small clusters. -
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Needles grow in bundles of three and cluster toward branch tips.
Wildflowers (1)
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Stansbury's Cliffrose — Creamy white five-petaled flowers with yellow centers.
Shrubs (3)
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fernbush — A rounded shrub with finely divided fern-like leaves and clusters of white flowers. -
Roundleaf buffaloberry — A thorny shrub with silvery round leaves and small yellow flowers. -
Brown-spined Pricklypear — Bright yellow to orange flowers bloom in spring.
Other Plants (5)
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Utah Agave
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Colorado Pinyon
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Apache plume
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Banana Yucca
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Utah Juniper
Mammals (7)
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Wapiti — Bulls carry massive branching antlers that can span over four feet. -
Rock Squirrel — Stouter and larger than many other ground squirrels. -
Mule Deer — Coat ranges from tawny brown in summer to gray-brown in winter. -
Bighorn Sheep — Rams carry massive curled horns. -
Cliff Chipmunk — White eyebrow stripe contrasts with darker eye line.
Birds (30)
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Bushtit — Pale eye in female -
Wild Turkey — Male with fan-shaped tail and red wattle -
Common Raven — Broad wings with fingered primaries -
Juniper Titmouse — Small crest -
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — Gray back
Reptiles (10)
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Plateau Fence Lizard — Males show blue belly patches. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side. -
Desert Spiny Lizard — Males may show blue patches on the underside. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly. -
Western Whiptail — Usually brown to black with six to eight light longitudinal stripes.
Amphibians (1)
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Canyon Tree Frog
Insects (8)
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Western Carpenter Bee -
Painted Lady -
Monarch -
White-lined Sphinx -
Kaibab Paper Wasp
Nature Bingo at Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park Climate & Sun
Use this climate breakdown to plan around the weather.
Temperature and precipitation data for Long Jim help narrow down the ideal visit window.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 49.2°F
Annual precipitation: 15.4 in
With an average annual temperature of 49.2°F and 15.4 inches of precipitation, Long Jim has cool, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 70°F, while winter lows drop to 32°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F | 1.6 in |
| Feb | 34°F | 1.5 in |
| Mar | 40°F | 1.7 in |
| Apr | 45°F | 0.8 in |
| May | 54°F | 0.7 in |
| Jun | 64°F | 0.3 in |
| Jul | 70°F | 1.8 in |
| Aug | 68°F | 2.2 in |
| Sep | 61°F | 1.5 in |
| Oct | 50°F | 1.3 in |
| Nov | 40°F | 0.8 in |
| Dec | 32°F | 1.2 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.6 hours in summer — a difference of 4.9 hours.
Summer: 5:10 AM – 7:46 PM
Winter: 7:31 AM – 5:15 PM
Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park Trip Planning & Access
With the lay of the land covered, here are the trip planning details.
At 169 miles from Las Vegas, Long Jim is a longer road trip for most visitors.
Visitor Friendliness
Visitor friendliness: families (moderate), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (challenging).
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: moderate (Long distance (>5mi), Some climbing (500-1000ft))
- Elderly: challenging (Long distance (>2mi), Significant elevation (>200ft), Unpaved surface)
- Strollers: not_recommended (20/100)
- Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
Nearby trails, campgrounds, and attractions expand what you can do on this trip.
Don't limit your trip to just Long Jim — the surrounding area has 14 more places to discover.
Nearby Trails
- South Entrance Spur Trail, AZ 0.65 mi
- Tusayan Mtn Bike Loop, Coconino 0.83 mi
- Tusayan Mtn Bike Trail, Coconino 0.95 mi
- Tusayan Greenway, Grand Canyon National Park 1.3 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby Attractions
Stargazing & Night Sky at Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
Don't pack up when the sun goes down — the night sky here has plenty to offer.
Night falls differently here — the Bortle 1 rating means Excellent dark-sky site visibility for stars, planets, and meteor showers.
Constellations
Look for Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.
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Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north. -
Cassiopeia — This constellation represents a mythological queen and lies opposite the Big Dipper across Polaris. -
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.
Meteor Showers
For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
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Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.
Planets
Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:
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Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star -
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky -
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light -
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue
Equipment Guide
- Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
- Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
- Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune
Viewing Tips
- Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
- Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
- Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
- Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
- Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
- Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)
Best Viewing Months
- Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
- Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep
Seasonal Highlights at Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
Different seasons reveal different sides of Long Jim.
Nature at Long Jim follows a seasonal calendar — here's when to come for what you want to see.
Spring Wildflowers
Peak bloom: March - April
Check local park websites for bloom reports
Fall Foliage
Peak color: September 15 – October 10
Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak
At 6706ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier
Bird Migration
Spring peak: April - May
Fall peak: September - October
Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges
Indigenous Land at Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
This landscape holds cultural significance that extends far beyond recreation.
The cultural landscape of Long Jim reflects the long presence of Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Havasu Baaja (Havasupai) on this land.
Territories
Languages
3 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Havasupai, Hopilavayi, Diné Bizaad.
Data from Native Land Digital
Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Long Jim sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.
Bedrock Geology
- Rock Type
- Permian sedimentary rocks
- Formation
- Kaibab Formation; Toroweap Formation; Coconino Sandstone
- Lithology
- Major:{sandstone,limestone}, Minor:{chert}
- Age
- Permian
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 285
- Unique Species
- 114
- Oldest
- 1000 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 14
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Sand and Gravel, Construction, Copper, Uranium, Silver, Zinc, Cobalt, Antimony
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 120°F (2021-07-10)
- Record Low
- -32°F (1990-12-23)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 121
- Largest Fire
- Obi (11,435.8 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Caves & Karst Features
- Feature Types
- Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a dry climate
- Karst Score
- 40
Watershed
- Watershed
- Grapevine Creek-Colorado River
- Water Quality (Good)
- 1.291%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 6 (NUFORC)
- Haunted Places
- 2 (Shadowlands)
- Eeriness Score
- 32/100
Long Jim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park Safety & Conditions
For up-to-the-minute safety information, use these official resources.
Don't rely on forecasts alone — check these live sources for the latest conditions near Long Jim.
Coordinates: 35.991911, -112.115852