Arizona has no shortage of natural wonders – in fact, you could probably visit a new one each day over the course of a lifetime and still not see them all. Angel’s Window, a natural arch on the Cape Royal peninsula at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, is one that deserves much more recognition than it gets. This stunning rock formation frames the surrounding landscape in a truly incredible way, and it’s accessible via a short-and-sweet, one-mile hike.
Cape Royal is a long, thin peninsula on the Grand Canyon’s less frequented North Rim that offers some of the most striking views in the entire park.
AllTrails/Jacklyn Anderson In the middle of the ledge, Angel’s Window is a natural arch that, when the sun hits just right, casts a breathtaking glow over the surrounding area.
A short, easy hike takes visitors from the rim out onto Cape Royal, offering a unique vantage point that few (if any) other scenic overlooks in the Canyon measure up to.
AllTrails/Trung Pham Cape Royal Trail is a mere one mile long and has an elevation gain of just 65 feet, so it’s suitable for all skill levels.
You’ll traverse a mostly flat walkway comprised of paved asphalt, with a gentle grade of 5% or less from start to finish.
AllTrails/Woody Syrjala There are a few steeper pockets, so hikers using wheelchairs or strollers should use caution at the 0.3-0.4 and 0.5-0.6 mile markers.
Despite its ease, the trail isn’t for the faint of heart.
AllTrails/Robert Greer It’s extremely high above the ground, so if you’re afraid of heights, don’t look down!
Sweeping panoramic vistas extend from east to west, making the trail a popular spot for watching the sunrise and sunset.
AllTrails/Milind Mahale You’ll also see the turn of the Colorado River at the Unkar Delta framed through Angel’s Window, plus the Desert View Watchtower across the canyon on the South Rim.
Given how short the trail is, you’ll have plenty of time to stop and read the signs posted every so often along the way.
AllTrails/Sushanth Mali While the signs are meant to be educational, you won’t even feel like you’re learning because the information about the area’s natural history is just so fascinating.
So, if you’re looking for a new natural feature to cross off your bucket list, head out to the North Rim and embark on the Cape Royal Trail.
AllTrails/Trung Pham You’ll be hard-pressed to find another hike that promises a similarly amazing reward for such little effort!
To learn more about the hike, visit its page on AllTrails.
AllTrails/Jacklyn Anderson
In the middle of the ledge, Angel’s Window is a natural arch that, when the sun hits just right, casts a breathtaking glow over the surrounding area.
AllTrails/Trung Pham
Cape Royal Trail is a mere one mile long and has an elevation gain of just 65 feet, so it’s suitable for all skill levels.
AllTrails/Woody Syrjala
There are a few steeper pockets, so hikers using wheelchairs or strollers should use caution at the 0.3-0.4 and 0.5-0.6 mile markers.
AllTrails/Robert Greer
It’s extremely high above the ground, so if you’re afraid of heights, don’t look down!
AllTrails/Milind Mahale
You’ll also see the turn of the Colorado River at the Unkar Delta framed through Angel’s Window, plus the Desert View Watchtower across the canyon on the South Rim.
AllTrails/Sushanth Mali
While the signs are meant to be educational, you won’t even feel like you’re learning because the information about the area’s natural history is just so fascinating.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find another hike that promises a similarly amazing reward for such little effort!
Have you ever hiked Cape Royal Trail? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments section below. Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more breathtaking natural arches in Arizona you can hike to!
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Address: Angels Window, North Rim, AZ 86052, USA
