Arizona · Hiking

Surprise Valley

0.45-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona's Surprise Valley with 7 ft gain.

Photo: Grand Canyon National Park, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

0.5 mi
round trip: 264 ft
climb: 3,718 ft
high point: Out and back
route

Is Surprise Valley open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Canyon National Park. It doesn't name Surprise Valley, so check the source for the area it covers.

North Rim Scenic Road Closure: Cape Royal and Point Imperial
Park closure covering Grand Canyon National Park · NPS · Grand Canyon National Park
INNER CANYON TRAIL CLOSURES
Park alert covering Grand Canyon National Park · NPS · Grand Canyon National Park
Overnight Lodging Suspended and Parkwide Stage 4 Water Restrictions
Park alert covering Grand Canyon National Park · NPS · Grand Canyon National Park
INNER CANYON WATER SHUTOFFS
Park alert covering Grand Canyon National Park · NPS · Grand Canyon National Park
Critical Backcountry Updates/Closures
Park alert covering Grand Canyon National Park · NPS · Grand Canyon National Park

As of Oct 24, 9:00 am MST · Source: NPS · Grand Canyon National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Surprise Valley

Best months: October–April. 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.

Jan
57° / 35°
5 wet
Feb
63° / 40°
6 wet
Mar
73° / 45°
5 wet
Apr
81° / 52°
4 wet
May
91° / 61°
3 wet
Jun
102° / 70°
2 wet
Jul
104° / 75°
5 wet
Aug
101° / 72°
7 wet
Sep
94° / 66°
5 wet
Oct
82° / 55°
4 wet
Nov
68° / 44°
3 wet
Dec
56° / 36°
5 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Phantom Rch, AZ, 29.5 mi away at 2,530 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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.

Surprise Valley is an easy 0.9-mile out-and-back hike in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, managed by the National Park Service. The route starts and ends at nearly the same elevation, 3707 feet, with a total climb and descent of 264 feet. The steepest stretch comes early on, about 0.2 miles in, where the grade reaches 10%. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show April highs around 81°F and October highs around 82°F, while June and July average in the low to mid 100s. The hike sits just 0.1 mile from Deer Creek Trail, with Thunder River Trail about 0.4 mile away. Tapeats Creek Trail is roughly 1.7 miles off, and Rainbow Rim lies about 6.6 miles away.