The Tonto Trail is a roughly 95-mile backcountry route along the South Rim side of the Grand Canyon that traverses the canyon’s middle levels on the Tonto Platform rather than climbing rim to rim. Beginning at Garnet Canyon and ending at Red Canyon on the Colorado River, it links many major south-side trails and serves as an important corridor for experienced hikers making long cross-canyon traverses. Conditions vary widely, with some stretches easier to follow and others overgrown or requiring route-finding. Reliable water is limited and must be treated, while Horn Creek is avoided except in emergencies because of contamination tied to the Lost Orphan Uranium Mine. Permits are required, and hikers face serious wilderness hazards.