You need a Backcountry Reservation for a site. The trailhead for the South Kaibab Trail is located out at Yaki Point , off of the East Rim Drive . The trail is well maintained all the way to the river. Interpretive signs along the trail identify the major geological periods of the rock formations that you pass through along the way. Cedar Ridge has some interpretive fossil exhibits and offers a spectacular view of O'Neil Butte.
Chemical toilets are available here.
A short distance after the Redwall descent ends you will arrive at the Tipoff and the junction with the Tonto Trail . You can head west from here along the Tonto Trail for 4.2 miles and arrive at Indian Garden. If you head east for 18 miles you will arrive at Cottonwood Creek, just below Horseshoe Me sa. Below the bottom layer of this formation, the Tapeats Sandstone , lies the Vishnu Schist , which dates back some 2 billion years. After travelling about 2 miles through the Tonto Group and Vishnu Schist you will arrive at the Black Suspension Bridge and the Colorado River.