The National Park Service announced a partial reopening of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, slated for Oct. 1, after the devastating Dragon Bravo wildfire forced the evacuation and closure of a portion of the park in July.
According to a NPS statement posted online, Grand Canyon National Park will partially reopen select areas of the North Rim to public access beginning Oct. 1 (this could also be affected by the looming government shutdown). Access will be granted to both Cape Royal and Point Imperial, the highest viewpoint in the Grand Canyon.
Due to winter weather conditions, the North Rim is normally only open seasonally from May 15 to Oct. 15. However, due to the circumstances, the NPS has designated Nov. 30 as the adjusted closing date for the North Rim, which is weather-dependent on the first major snowfall.
“Reopening portions of the North Rim allows visitors to once again experience some of the park’s most scenic areas while we continue to assess post-fire impacts and begin recovery efforts,” Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable said. “This is the first of several phased reopenings planned for the North Rim, and we appreciate the public’s patience as we work diligently to restore access.”
Here’s a guide on what to do if you have a trip planned to Grand Canyon National Park in the near future.
The North Rim vs. the South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park is in the northwest corner of Arizona and has three entrances.
The South Rim entrance
The most popular and most visited entrance is at the South Rim entrance through the town of Tusayan, Arizona, about one hour north of Flagstaff. This location has the majority of the lodging and services in and near the park. It will get you to Grand Canyon Village, which has a visitor center, recreational vehicle campgrounds and a post office; it also has historic lodges, such as El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins and Yavapai Lodge.
The East entrance
The east entrance on state Route 64 is accessible from the town of Cameron, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. This connects the overlook road (state Route 64) past Desert View Watchtower and back toward Grand Canyon Village and all South Rim locations.
The North Rim entrance
If you are at the South Rim, the North Rim is a five-hour trip by car — over 220 miles. The closest food and fuel services outside the North Rim entrance of the park are at the Jacob Lake Inn in Fredonia, Arizona. The North Rim is more remote, and it has traditionally been open from May 15 to Oct. 15 each year (weather permitting) and closed during the winter months due to road conditions, although it was just announced that the North Rim will tentatively remain open until Nov. 30.
Is it safe to travel to Grand Canyon National Park?
Yes, it is safe to travel to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park near Tusayan and Grand Canyon Village, but the North Rim, while scheduled to reopen Oct. 1, still has some restrictions that visitors should be aware of.
The NPS website lists the following precautions:
- Due to the remote nature of the North Rim, visitors should be fully self-sufficient and bring all food, water and supplies.
- There is no power, running water, cell service or visitor services currently available in the reopened areas.
- Fuel is not available within the park, so visitors should plan ahead and ensure they have sufficient fuel before entering the North Rim area. The closest gas station is at Jacob Lake.
- Emergency response will be extremely limited, and response times may be significantly delayed.
- Winter driving conditions, including snow and icy roads, are possible at any time, and drivers should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
The park’s website lists closures for the North Kaibab Trail, the South Kaibab Trail and Phantom Ranch. If you have a hike planned (including a rim-to-rim hike), we suggest contacting the Backcountry Permit office for alternatives and reading the rules and restrictions on its website.
The NPS updates emergency messages on its website. We suggest bookmarking the operations page, which details any updates, including hiking restrictions.
The NPS and Grand Canyon Conservancy have several webcams at key points along the South Rim. These cameras allow visitors to check traffic conditions at the South Rim entrance station, admire the view of the canyon from various viewpoints and observe air quality and visibility.
If you plan to travel north of the Grand Canyon through Fredonia and onward to Kanab, Utah (toward Zion National Park), you can check road conditions on Arizona 511.
When will the Grand Canyon’s North Rim reopen after the Dragon Bravo Fire?
Due to the damage to the National Park Service facilities at the North Rim, the NPS has announced a limited reopening for the North Rim from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30 or until the first major snowfall, whichever comes first.
The NPS has advisories posted on its website.
What should you do if you have lodging or a campsite booked in Grand Canyon National Park?
The South Rim locations of the park remain unaffected by wildfires. The North Rim locations, including the Grand Canyon Lodge and historic cabins operated by Aramark, have all been lost to the fire.
Guests should look at Mather and Desert View campgrounds (at the South Rim) as alternatives.
Will your credit card or trip insurance cover changes?
TPG has a comprehensive guide on credit cards that covers trip cancellation and interruption, including what might be covered in a natural disaster.
Related: 4 times your credit card’s travel insurance can help with travel woes, and 7 times it won’t
Bottom line
If you have a trip planned to Grand Canyon National Park, double-check the location of your reservation to see if your trip is affected so you can take appropriate steps to reroute or rebook. The most recent updates and advisories will be posted on the official website for the park. TPG will continue to follow the story and report on any updates.
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
