Grand Canyon Mule Trips & Rides, Mules

Grand Canyon National Park's distinctive mule trips present the visitor a charming and traditional way to experience the unique grandeur of this incredible landmark. Dating back to the 1890s, mule trips into the Grand Canyon remain a mainstay of park tourism for many reasons—of course, the most important of which is their safety record!

YOUR VERY OWN BRIGHTY

From 1892 to 1922, a soon-to-be famous little burro named Brighty captured the hearts of many and helped shape the history of the Grand Canyon. Brighty of the Grand Canyon, as he is popularized in a children's book by Margeurite Henry, carried water from a spring in the canyon to the visitor center on the North Rim, went on a hunting trip with President Theodore Roosevelt, and was the first mammal—including humans—to cross a suspension bridge built over the Colorado River in the park. Even today, mule rides into the Grand Canyon continue Brighty's tradition of bringing happiness on four legs to those that visit the park. Though mules and burros are surprisingly quite different, mules being much larger, stronger, and more horse-like, the historical importance of animals like Brighty to the inception of tourism in the canyon is often overlooked.

GIDDY UP!

From the South Rim, both full-day and multi-day mule trips are available for adventurous riders. The overnight rides take you to cozy Phantom Ranch, located deep in the inner canyon by the Colorado River. From the North Rim, you may book anything from a one hour rim-overlook ride to an all-day trip into the canyon. Mule rides are extremely popular, and can book up to 13 months in advance—please make arrangements accordingly.