Bright Angel Trail is the most famous and heavily used hiking trail in Grand Canyon. It descends 9.5 miles to the Colorado River with resthouses providing water, toilets, and shade. Rest stops at 1.5 and 3 miles offer easy day hike turnaround points. The trail is steep but well-maintained with morning and afternoon shade. Hiking to the river and back in one day is not recommended due to extreme elevation change of 4,380 feet.