New Hance Loop
Guided Backpacking Trips
4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights 23MI / 37KM
Trip Highlights
Are you up for a more challenging hike? Experience famous “Red Canyon”, one of the most geologically unique areas in Grand Canyon National Park, camp next to the Colorado River, see impressive rapids, and enjoy the solitude of a less-visited and wild part of the Grand Canyon on this unforgettable backpacking adventure!
On the first day you’ll hike down the exciting Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the Cave of the Domes and century-old mining ruins. We then drop off the Mesa and hike deeper into the Canyon, camping on the Tonto Plateau above the Inner Gorge. At this point we’re looking up at the towers and rims of the North Rim – a viewpoint few people experience. The next leg of our hiking trip takes us east on the Tonto Trail to the Colorado River. This is the eastern beginning of dramatic Granite Gorge. We’ll camp in Red Canyon or by the Colorado River, depending on the day’s hiking progress. Red Canyon’s lower elevations are predominately Hakatai Shale, undoubtedly the most brilliant crimson of any formation in the Canyon. The final day sees us ascending back to the South Rim on the New Hance Trail.
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Spectacular Grandview Trail
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Wild Grand Canyon
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Camping on the Colorado River
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Challenging & Scenic New Hance Trail
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Canyon Solitude
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Desert Springs & Oases
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Stunning Red Canyon
Book This Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 5 mi -
Group Size
1-9 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip is Level 4 on the way down and Level 5 coming back up. The way up is on a steep, very rugged, unmaintained trail that at times requires the use of arms. It has significant heights exposure in places and may require hiking in 105+ degree fahrenheit temperatures (May-Sept).
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to the South Rim: 1.5-hour drive from Flagstaff
Hiking Mileage: 3 miles
Elevation Loss: 2,500 feet
We’ll begin this exceptional Grand Canyon backpacking tour by hiking down the Grandview Trail, a historic Indian route rebuilt by Pete Berry for his Last Chance copper mine. Pete Berry and partners staked the Last Chance claim in 1890 and worked the mine on and off until 1916. Our destination for night 1 is Horseshoe Mesa. The legacy of Grand Canyon mining is abundant here as we explore the remains of the Last Chance mine. Mine shafts and relics are everywhere, as is Pete Barry’s original cabin, and the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At sunset we’ll hike out to the edge of the mesa and drink in the phenomenal views of the Colorado River flowing a whopping 2,300 feet below us.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 2 miles
Elevation Loss: 1,300 feet
Today we’ll sleep in, eat, and pack up before hiking east off Horseshoe Mesa to Hance Creek. Our hike switchbacks steeply past Paige Spring (our water source while on Horseshoe Mesa) and into the Hance Creek drainage. Once camp is established we’ll enjoy a day hike down the intermittent path leading into the serpentine drainage of Hance Creek Canyon.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 1,100 feet
We’ll get up reasonably early, eat and eventually resume our eastward trek along the Tonto Plateau toward Hance Rapids. Grand views unfold on this day as we hike across the plateau to the brink of Red Canyon and hike down to the Colorado River. We’ll make camp on the banks of the Colorado and mouth of Red Canyon, which forms a thundering section of whitewater on the Colorado River, Hance Rapids.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 3 miles (plus 3 miles optional day hiking)
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
After breakfast and before breaking camp we’ll take a beautiful day hike upstream to the Papago Rockslide. Those so inclined are welcome to join the guide in climbing over the rock slide to the mouth of Papago Creek on the Colorado River. After lunch we’ll return to camp and pack up for a short hike up Red Canyon, where tilting strata provide stunning scenery and an amazing geologic story, as the area was once an island that rose above the waters of an ancient sea. We’ll hike up the dry creek bed of Red Canyon and eventually make camp at a beautiful spring or the upper part of the canyon.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,300 feet
Shuttle to Flagstaff: 1.5-hour drive from the South Rim
A hearty breakfast will precede our hike out as we make our way to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We’ll hike up out of Red Canyon and traverse the Supai and Red Wall formations into an old creek bed. After following the creek for awhile we’ll hike and scramble up out of the creek bed to the trailhead and the end of our Grand Canyon backpacking adventure. From there we’ll ride comfortably back to Flagstaff and much deserved – and anticipated – showers.
4-Day Variation
This trip is also possible to run as a 4-day itinerary. On Day 1 we hike all the way to Hance Creek instead of stopping for the night at Horseshoe Mesa. The 4-day variation makes the first day a 5 mile hike with a 3,800′ elevation loss. The rest of the trip is unaltered.
Important: this trip is operated as either a 4-day or 5-day itinerary, and is confirmed as such in advance. Variation of trip length does not mean guests can choose to leave a trip or early or extend it a day.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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Pre-Permit Trip Dates
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| Fri, Apr 3, 2026 | Mon, Apr 6, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Fri, Apr 10, 2026 | Mon, Apr 13, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Apr 16, 2026 | Sun, Apr 19, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Apr 18, 2026 | Tue, Apr 21, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Apr 23, 2026 | Sun, Apr 26, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
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| Fri, May 1, 2026 | Tue, May 5, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, May 14, 2026 | Mon, May 18, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
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| Sat, Sep 19, 2026 | Thu, Sep 24, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Tue, Sep 22, 2026 | Fri, Sep 25, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Sep 24, 2026 | Sun, Sep 27, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Sep 26, 2026 | Tue, Sep 29, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 2, 2026 | Mon, Oct 5, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Wed, Oct 7, 2026 | Sat, Oct 10, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sat, Oct 10, 2026 | Tue, Oct 13, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | Sun, Oct 18, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Sun, Oct 18, 2026 | Wed, Oct 21, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Oct 22, 2026 | Sun, Oct 25, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Mon, Oct 26, 2026 | Thu, Oct 29, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Thu, Oct 29, 2026 | Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Start | End | |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | Wed, Nov 4, 2026 | Request Reservation |
| Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | Sat, Nov 14, 2026 | Request Reservation |
What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles and Microspike Crampons if necessary
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona to the Grand Canyon and back
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Grand Canyon
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
Tent Camping
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Unless we tell you otherwise, you will meet your guide and group at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff (use this reservation page for a 10-60% discount at Little America) for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. We’re happy to give you a ride to this meeting if you’re not staying at Little America, but staying at one of our other recommended hotels. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Grand Canyon Tours your guide will meet you at your hotel in Flagstaff at an agreed upon time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Flagstaff
WHY WE BASE IN FLAGSTAFF VS. PHOENIX
- Reduced drive time by 3 hours on first day of hiking
- Guide support is only an hour away vs. 4-5 hours away in Phoenix.
- Increased flexibility with unforeseen circumstances
- Flagstaff is a scenic mountain town with great hiking and restaurants!
Groome Shuttle
Groome Transportation operates an Arizona Shuttle that makes 9 dependable trips daily each direction between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The duration is 2.5-3 hours. They pickup/drop off at Sky Harbor Airport and the Metro Center in Phoenix, and in Flagstaff at the Amtrak Station (near downtown) and the NAU campus.
Note: Groome also offers daily transportation (3 trips in each direction) from Flagstaff to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
CAR RENTAL
Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix has a fantastic car rental facility that is easily accessible and hosts a great variety of companies. We recommend checking Priceline.com as well for especially good deals.
ARIZONA EXECUTIVE TRANSPORT
Arizona Executive Transport offers private, reliable SUV service between Phoenix and Flagstaff. This option is best if you’re traveling in a group of 3 or 4. As Wildland Trekking guests, your one-way cost for up to 4 passengers is only $275. Simply type “Wildland Trekking Company” in the Discount Code Box at the bottom of the online registration page. You can go to http://www.arizonaexecutivellc.com to make your reservations online.
Pre and Post-Trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Flagstaff, Arizona as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 4 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Anthony D
7 months agoAmazing and Challenging Experience
Just off our second Wildland trip, this time with (the fantastic) Michael W. down the New Hance Trail in the Grand Canyon. Amazing (and challenging!) experience, memories, and new friends. 10/10 enthusiastically recommend.
Emma L
1 year agoExcellent Trip
This is our second trip with Wildland trekking and brought along two of my coworkers. Our guide, Adam Beh was excellent. He was very calm and collected when our friend fell on our first day. We continued on with trip and friend was transported to the nearest hospital by helivac. Adam was a good cook, very knowledgeable about the canyon and patient. Our whole experience was positive and memorable! I am planning for another backpacking trip with Wildland trekking!
Alice H
2 years agoWhat a trip!
We have never done a guided backpacking trip before and Wildland and our guide, Landon, made what was a dream into a reality. We were part of a small group completing the New Hance Loop in Mar 2024. Some of the greatest assets of having a guide is the knowledge of the Grand Canyon that they bring as you hike and camp. Landon was able to share both the history of the Canyon as well as explain some of the challenges to its long-term ecological health while demonstrating/practicing minimal impact backpacking. I must admit I started the trip with a mindset of "conquering the hike/canyon" and now reflect on the trip as an immense privilege to have been in and with the Canyon through all its varied geology and ecology. Watching a herd of Big Horn Sheep make their way down to the Colorado for a drink and listening to the chorus of Canyon Tree Frogs sing us to sleep are experiences that will last a lifetime. What a trip!
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