OUR JOURNEY

Welcome to the world’s largest community of Grand Canyon explorers!

In 2013, it all started with a simple Facebook group to share our love of the Grand Canyon with friends.

Over the years, we became the largest Grand Canyon community in the world and have helped tens of thousands of people safely and responsibly enjoy the Canyon.

This Grand Canyon Trails Association was formed to support the ongoing growth of this community and further promote responsible use of Grand Canyon trails.

Benedict Dughoff, Executive Director. Benedict is a passionate advocate for the Grand Canyon and for safe and responsible “concentrated use” enjoyment and exploration of Canyon trails. In 2013, Benedict started his first Grand Canyon Facebook group to share his love of the Canyon with friends. It quickly became the largest Grand Canyon community on Facebook and has helped tens of thousands of people safely and responsibly enjoy the Canyon. As the community grew, so did our mission: to help everyone safely and responsibly enjoy the Grand Canyon.

Our awesome Facebook community. A huge thank you to the tens of thousands of awesome people who share Grand Canyon information and inspiration in our Facebook groups each and every day. They are the heart and sole of an incredibly helpful and supportive community that is the core of everything we do and why we do it.

Connect with the Community

There are many opportunities to connect, learn, and share:

Facebook Groups (Members)
Grand Canyon Hikers (75,000+)
Grand Canyon (65,000+)
Grand Canyon Rim to Rim (35,000+)
Grand Canyon R2R2R (25,000+)

Facebook Pages (Fans)
Grand Canyon Hikers (60,000+)
Grand Canyon (20,000+)
Grand Canyon Rim to Rim (10,000+)
Grand Canyon Trails Association (8,000+)
Grand Canyon Trail Runners (1,000+)

Instagram (Followers)
@GrandCanyonHikers (1,500+)

Twitter
@GCHikers

The National Park Service (NPS) recently proposed a new Grand Canyon Backcountry Management Plan (BMP).

Concerns were raised that the BMP would unnecessarily block public access to the Corridor Trails (the main trails below the Rim), decrease hiker safety, and negatively impact wilderness areas.

An in-depth analysis of the BMP confirmed those concerns, and also raised additional ones. It appears that a senior manager (who has since resigned) pressured NPS Staff to draft proposals without sufficient research or substantiation.

Two of these proposals represent major reversals of 100 years of NPS policy of supporting and enhancing public “concentrated use” of the Corridor Trails (which has the added benefit of helping preserve the wilderness aspects of the rest of the Park):

1. “Day Use Permits” would unnecessarily block public access to these trails, decrease safety, and increase pressure on wilderness areas.

2. Commercial Guide Contracts would unnecessarily block public access to 10% of the campgrounds along the Corridor Trails.

The Grand Canyon Trails Association (GCTA), led by Benedict Dughoff, has been working with the NPS to explore alternatives that would better preserve wilderness and public access while increasing hiker safety.

How You Can Help

1. Spread the word:
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2. Join us for opportunities to learn, share, and get involved: