Some of the best beaches in Arizona are also the most remote, hiding at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon. Arguably the most famous of them all is Boat Beach, located at River Mile 88.1 near Phantom Ranch. This secret oasis is accessible via either a paddling trip or hiking on two of the most difficult trails in the park. No matter how you choose to get here, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Beaches in the Grand Canyon? It sounds too good to be true, but there are actually a number of them just waiting to be stumbled upon by paddlers.
NPS Photo/Michael Quinn
The most popular of all the Grand Canyon beaches is Boat Beach, located just half a mile downstream from Phantom Ranch.
NPS Photo/Michael Quinn
River trips use the beach as a stopover point to re-up with drinking water and exchange passengers. The water is extremely refreshing — albeit a tad cold — and the white sands are perfect for soaking up some rays.
NPS Photo/Michael Quinn

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You'll also see two riverfront camps just upriver from the beach. The camps are not open to the public — they're only for river trips exchanging passengers the following day, so don't plan on using them unless that applies to you.
NPS Photo/Michael Quinn
From the shores of Boat Beach, you'll have a clear view of the 440-foot-long Black Suspension Bridge, which stretches across the river on the South Kaibab Trail. You might even see a few mules en route to Phantom Ranch!
NPS Photo/Michael Quinn
In addition to weather and water flow bulletins, there are also exhibits that interpret a circa 1,000-year-old ancestral Puebloan site near the beach. Dive into a little Grand Canyon history while stretching your legs!
Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr
Boat Beach is also accessible via both the South Kaibab Trail and Bright Angel Trail, and it's definitely a welcome sight after such a grueling trek. There are also other beaches in the Grand Canyon, such as Football Beach and Owl Beach, that can only be reached on a paddling trip.
NPS/Michael Quinn

Have you ever been to Boat Beach? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience. Tell us in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more of the best beaches in Arizona.

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Phantom Ranch, N Kaibab Trail, North Rim, AZ 86052, USA