Parking
Use the signed Tuckup access north of Tuweep Campground; campers can also join from site 10. The long, unpaved approach requires a high-clearance vehicle.
Overview
About Tuckup Trail to Cove Canyon
Why go
- A clear destination with wide views into Cove Canyon
- An old prospector's path across Esplanade slickrock
Heads up
- No shade or water on the route
- The detailed mapped line is longer than the published six-mile round trip
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Grand Canyon map
Full mapElevation4,291–4,744 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
4 active Grand Canyon alerts
- ClosureInner Canyon and North Rim trail closuresDo not enter the closed trails, bridges, campgrounds, and inner-canyon areas.Official details
- ClosureNorth Rim scenic roads closed for repairsCape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road are closed from sunset October 15 through sunrise November 3, 2026. - The roads are closed to accommodate critical road repair and rehabilitation work.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Grand Canyon Tour Guide
Your drive to Tuckup Trail to Cove Canyon, narrated.
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- Wildlife heatmapsfor California Condor, Bighorn Sheep, American Bison, and 13 more
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- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
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Trail guide
Hiking Tuckup Trail to Cove Canyon
The Cove Canyon day hikeTuckup Trail to Cove Canyon is a remote out-and-back over open Esplanade slickrock.
Tuckup Trail to Cove Canyon is a remote out-and-back over open Esplanade slickrock. Published trail information describes 3 miles to Cove Canyon and 6 miles round trip. The detailed line we traced is about 3.6 miles each way, so allow for roughly 7 miles if you follow the full mapped route. This entry covers the local day hike; the primitive Tuckup corridor continues farther beyond it. Plan on about four hours, plus time to stop.
A former prospector's pathThe park describes this as a former prospector's path across Esplanade slickrock.
The park describes this as a former prospector's path across Esplanade slickrock. Cairns mark the trail, and the destination is Cove Canyon with broad inner-canyon views. The exact turnaround marker and individual view openings are not identified, so follow the marked route and turn back at the canyon rather than continuing onto the longer corridor.
Heat, water, and fragile groundShade is scarce and there is no water on the trail.
Shade is scarce and there is no water on the trail. Carry what you need for the full walk and leave extra time for the exposed slickrock. Stay on the trail, rock, or washes: footsteps can damage the fragile biological soil crust. Pets, bicycles, and vehicles are not allowed on Tuweep's established trails.
The approach is part of the commitmentUse the signed Tuckup access north of Tuweep Campground; campers can also join from site 10.
Use the signed Tuckup access north of Tuweep Campground; campers can also join from site 10. Tuweep day use requires a permit. The unpaved approach takes at least three hours one way from AZ 389 and requires a high-clearance vehicle. There is no food, fuel, lodging, phone service, or water at Tuweep; the campground has composting toilets, away from the trail.
A shorter walk at TuweepSaddle Horse Loop is a separate 45-minute walk with Colorado River views.
Saddle Horse Loop is a separate 45-minute walk with Colorado River views. It is a better fit if you want a brief outing instead of the remote Tuckup hike.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Grand Canyon
718 sightingsCalifornia CondorMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
533 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
169 sightingsAmerican BisonMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
1,891 sightingsElkMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
59 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
27 sightingsGray FoxMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Grand Canyon. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
