Arizona · Hiking

Saddle Mountain

Saddle MountainPhoto: deborah.soltesz, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
2.4 mi
round trip
3,429 ft
climb
8,852 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Saddle Mountain open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Kaibab National Forest. It doesn't name Saddle Mountain, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

  • Heavy storm damages received - use extreme caution

    Agency closure covering Kaibab National Forest · USFS · Kaibab National Forest

  • Christmas tree permits available online beginning October 8

    Agency closure covering Kaibab National Forest · USFS · Kaibab National Forest

  • Forest Road 354 on Kaibab & Prescott NF Temporarily Closed for Repairs

    Agency closure covering Kaibab National Forest · Order 03-07-26-02 · USFS · Kaibab National Forest

  • Effective April 17, 2026 - UPDATED - White Sage & Dragon Bravo Fires Temporary Area Closure

    Agency closure covering North Kaibab Ranger District · Order 03-07-03-26-03 · USFS · North Kaibab Ranger District

As of · Source: USFS · Kaibab National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Saddle Mountain is a hard hike on the North Kaibab Ranger District of Kaibab National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back that starts at about 8,800 feet and climbs to the summit at 8,852 feet, with a total round-trip gain of about 3,400 feet over roughly 4.8 miles. The steepest stretch comes right at the start, with a grade of about 55 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Bright Angel, at a similar elevation, put July highs around 77°F with lows near 49°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. The Nankoweap Trail #57 and Point Imperial Trail both lie within a quarter mile of the start, and the Ken Patrick Trail - East (Point Imperial) is about 2 miles away. North Rim Campground is roughly 7 miles off for anyone planning an overnight stay.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Saddle Mountain

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      36° / 18°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 19°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 23°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 28°

      4 wet

    5. May

      62° / 36°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 43°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 49°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 48°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 42°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 33°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      45° / 24°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 17°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bright Angel Rs, AZ, 7.2 mi away at 8,000 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Point Imperial TrailPhoto: Grand Canyon National Park, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Point Imperial Trail

Next door

5.17-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 85 ft of elevation gain.

Ken Patrick Trail - East (Point Imperial)Photo: rob stoeltje, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ken Patrick Trail - East (Point Imperial)

~3 min drive

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~10 min drive

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Old Bright Angel TrailPhoto: Robert Anders, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Old Bright Angel Trail

~14 min drive

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Bridle Path (North End)

~12 min drive

Starting from the North Kaibab Trailhead, the trail heads south, following the road (SR 67) for 1.6 miles (2.6 km) - until it reaches the parking lot of the former Grand Canyon lodge - the only available parking for oversized vehicles. Allow one hour each way. From the South K…

Francois Matthes TrailPhoto: RuggyBearLA, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Francois Matthes Trail

~10 min drive

10.66-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 235 ft gain and 779 ft loss.

East Rim TrailPhoto: deborah.soltesz, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

East Rim Trail

~16 min drive

2.74-mile out-and-back hike on Arizona's East Rim with 530 ft gain.

HIKE

Saddle Mountain Trail #31

~5 min drive

9.88-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 2,422 ft elevation gain and loss.