Grand Canyon Backpacking Packing Checklist
At the end of March 2025, we backpacked and camped at Hermit Creek off of Hermit Trail in the Grand Canyon. This packing checklist includes the gear we used and recommend bringing for a successful trip below the rim. If you’re planning a similar adventure, check out our full post on our Hermit Creek camping trip for more details and trail tips.
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Table of Contents
Backpacking Camp: Bags, Tent, Sleeping
When backpacking in the Grand Canyon, your camping setup is one of the most important parts of your packing list. You’ll want a comfortable backpack that can handle the weight, a lightweight but durable tent that can withstand canyon winds, and a reliable sleeping bag and pad for the chilly desert nights. Below is the exact gear we used on our Grand Canyon trip, all of which worked well for a multi-day hike to Hermit Creek.
- Osprey Ariel 55 (Lauren’s pack)
- Osprey Aether 55 (Owen’s pack)
- REI backpacking bundle – includes a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and footprint attached.
- Tent light
- Headlamps
- Big Agnes Torchlight 20 backpacking sleeping bag (Owen’s)
- Backpacking pillows
- REI Flash 22 day hiking pack (we brought this for day hiking)
- REI compression sacks (for tent, sleeping bag, etc)
- Sea to summit compression sacks
- Tents were considering upgrading to: MSR Freelite tent or MSR Hubba Hubba Tent
Cooking, food, and snacks
Fueling up properly is key when backpacking in the Grand Canyon, especially with the steep climbs and long mileage below the rim. We always plan for lightweight, calorie-dense meals that are easy to prepare on a small camp stove. Snacks are just as important — they keep your energy up on tough sections of trail and are easy to grab on the go. Here’s what we packed for our Hermit Creek trip.
- Jetboil flash cooking system
- Jetboil fuel
- Mountain House Meals
- Ratsack bag (Food protection bag. Sold locally at Arizona REI’s or Amazon)
- Long spoons for Mountain House pouches (we brought multiple)
- Backpacking coffee mugs
- Instant coffee
- Honey Stinger gels
- Honey Stinger gummies
- Honey Stinger waffles
- Honey Stinger bars
- Clif Bars
- Electrolyte Tablets
- Lighter + extra lighter
Filtering Water
Water is one of the biggest challenges when backpacking in the Grand Canyon. Sources can be seasonal, silty, or far apart, so having a reliable way to filter and treat water is essential. On our Hermit Creek trip, we carried lightweight filters that worked well for the desert environment. Below are the water filters and treatment options we recommend bringing on your packing list.
- Grayl UltraPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle (we each brought one)
- LifeStraw Peak Gravity Water Filter System
2L Collapsible Water Container (we used this to put filtered water in so we didn’t have to go back and fourth to the creek to cook)
Hiking Items
Safety and navigation are especially important when backpacking in the Grand Canyon, since trails below the rim are rugged, remote, and often exposed to extreme weather. We always carry a mix of emergency gear, navigation tools, and hydration essentials to stay prepared on long desert hikes. Here are the hiking items we packed for our Hermit Creek trip:
Other Items
Beyond the core gear and hiking items, there are plenty of smaller essentials that make a Grand Canyon backpacking trip more comfortable and convenient. From staying clean on the trail to keeping devices charged, these items may not be mandatory but they’re ones we were glad to have with us at Hermit Creek.
- Backpacking chairs (highly recommend!!)
- Solar charger
- Power banks (we both have one)
- Book
- Wilderness wipes
- Kula cloth
- Toilet paper
- Multi-tool
- Benchmade knife
- Trash bag
- Clothesline
- Hand sanitizer
- Towel
- Mini hair brush
- Ziplock bags
Lauren's Hiking Clothes
Packing the right clothing for a Grand Canyon backpacking trip is all about versatility. Temperatures can swing from hot afternoons to chilly canyon nights, so layering is essential. I brought lightweight, moisture-wicking pieces for the trail, plus warmer layers for camp. Here’s what I wore and packed for our Hermit Creek backpacking trip:
- Sun hoodie
- Convertible hiking pants
- Long sleeve thermal
- Align lululemon leggings
- REI packable down jacket
- Salomon x ultra 5 hiking boots
- Hiking poles
- lululemon tank top
- Darn tough socks
- Extra socks: REI coolmax socks
- Teva sandals
- The North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer hat
- Bandana (for my hair)
- Oakley sunglasses
- Chum sunglasses strap
Owen's Hiking Clothes
Owen’s clothing for our Grand Canyon backpacking trip was all about durable layers and comfort for long days on the trail. He packed lightweight sun protection, warmer layers for the cool evenings, and sturdy footwear for the rocky terrain. Here’s his full clothing list from our Hermit Creek backpacking trip:
