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Water: If you’re lucky enough to be hiking right after a storm, pothole water can be found on the Esplanade. Other than that you can find perennial water at Thunder River, Tapeats Creek, the Colorado River, Deer Creek, and Deer Creek Spring. We recommend placing a water cache somewhere on the Esplanade for your return hike.  Do not underestimate your water needs along this trail.

Campsites: The Esplanade has at-large camping and you will find many sites there, perhaps the best of which are above the Redwall descent. Surprise Valley also has at-large camping and there are dry, but scenic sites at the east end overlooking the Tapeats gorge and the magnificence of Thunder River. All other camping is in designated sites only which includes Upper Tapeats, Lower Tapeats, and Deer Creek.

Reflections and Attractions: Simply put, there is way too much fun to be had in this area. Enjoy the moonscape surroundings of the Esplanade. Thunder River is Eden on Earth. Tapeats Creek and Deer Creek provide welcomed and picturesque relief from the heat. Don’t miss the exciting hike through Deer Creek Narrows to Deer Creek Falls. Deer Creek Spring is another excellent destination. Exploration possibilities are seemingly endless, and keep your eyes peeled for Anasazi ruins, pictographs, and wildlife.

Warnings and Musings: This area has proven to be lethal in the summer heat, so be prepared, hike smart, seek shade during the intense heat of midday, and stay hydrated. While it may be tempting to do otherwise, respect this area by camping in the designated sites only. The eastern route down Tapeats Creek is much easier than the western route, only be careful crossing the creek which can have dangerous late spring flows. Watch your step through Deer Creek Narrows, a slip here could be fatal. Mice at the Deer Creek camp are plentiful and bold, a contributing factor to the presence of rattlesnakes in the area.

The answer, as it turns out, depends on the expected weather conditions of a hike and personal preference. With the exception of monsoon season and the occasional storm, the use of a tent is largely unnecessary during the summer. You certainly won’t need it to keep warm at night. To save weight in the warm season many hikers carry just a ground cloth and perhaps a tarp if a rainstorm is possible. But if you have issues with creepy-crawlies like spiders, scorpions, and snakes (especially the nocturnal variety), then packing a lightweight tent may be a good idea.

It is far more common to see backpackers with tents during the winter in Grand Canyon. Heavier snowstorms and blizzards can extend all the way down to the Colorado River. Under these conditions a lightweight tent with a waterproof fly can keep a hiker warm and dry, making potentially miserable weather at least more comfortable. Of course, some hardcore hikers still don’t carry a tent in winter, but they prepare by packing warm synthetic sleeping bags and at least some kind of waterproof sheet in the event of heavy precipitation.