North Rim Set to Reopen May 15 with Phased Access and Limited Services

Grand Canyon National Park will reopen the North Rim for the 2026 summer season beginning at 6 a.m. on May 15, marking an important step in recovery following the Dragon Bravo Fire. Visitors will once again be able to access iconic scenic drives and the North Kaibab Trail will also reopen for foot traffic, though stock use is suspended and trail work will continue throughout the season.

NPS Trail Crew operations on the North Kaibab Trail are scheduled to begin around April 10, with multiple crews working throughout the season to clear rockfall and complete trail rehabilitation projects. Hikers should expect possible delays or temporary closures as this work progresses.

Employees and residents should be aware that the 2026 season will operate under limited services. There will be no lodging, no potable water, and no reliable utility services on the North Rim. The North Rim Campground is expected to reopen for dry camping only, and portable sanitation solutions will be in place. Visitors should be prepared to be fully self-sufficient.

Backcountry access will partially return, with Cottonwood Campground reopening May 15 and most backcountry areas accessible. However, changing post-fire conditions—including hazard trees, debris flows, and weather impacts—may result in temporary closures or delays.

This reopening reflects a phased, “what we can, where we can, when we can” approach, prioritizing visitor and employee safety while supporting long-term recovery. The 2026 season will focus primarily on day use and limited overnight opportunities as infrastructure repairs continue.

Key Takeaways:

• Expect limited services to be available for the 2026 season
• Emphasize visitor preparedness and self-sufficiency
• Reinforce that conditions may change quickly due to weather and ongoing recovery work
• Direct visitors to the North Rim status webpage for the latest updates

The reopening offers a unique opportunity to witness the resilience and recovery of the North Rim landscape while supporting gateway communities during this transitional period.

Zuni Youth Enrichment Program Deepens Cultural Connections at Grand Canyon

Last week, the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (ZYEP) Spring Break Backpacking Trip hiked down the Bright Angel Trail and spent two nights at Havasupai Gardens. The group included participants from the Pueblo of Zuni, ages 17-23, who visited cultural sites, learned from NPS staff, and experienced Grand Canyon through the lens of Zuni history and culture.

ZYEP attended a ranger program at Havasupai Gardens on their first night which focused on the Tribes of Grand Canyon and the work the park is doing to share First Voices at Havasupai Gardens and at the Zuni Place of Emergence, Chimik’yana’kya dey’a (Ribbon Falls). On the second day, the group day hiked to the Colorado River to connect to the living landscape. On their arrival back to Havasupai Gardens, ZYEP Participants took turns reading the signs at Havasupai Gardens and it was a very powerful moment for them to see and learn Tribal history in the canyon.

Enric Tsalate, the ZYEP cultural advisor said of the trip, “We are not visiting the canyon for the sole purpose of recreation, but to give offerings and pay respect to our ancestors and the land. We let the youth see the Grand Canyon through the eyes of our ancestors, through the eyes of all living things and through the eyes of the canyon itself.”

Grand Canyon Incident Report Available

Grand Canyon Law Enforcement has combined significant incidents from all districts including the South Rim and Canyon District.

See the latest Incident Report:

Grand Canyon Incident Report ending 3-20-2026

Village Park Ranger Programs March 24—April 12

Beginning March 24, Interpretation staff will offer two daily programs through April 12. The 11 a.m. Canyon Connections will meet at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and the 1:30 p.m. Geology Talk will be offered at the Yavapai Geology Museum. The Grand Canyon Visitor Center hours will remain the same and is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

More information on these programs can be found in the attached flyer here.

Cultural Demonstrators next week at the Desert View Watchtower

Zuni Youth Enrichment Program Demonstrators: Maliyah Halusewa (Zuni belt weaver), Kaleb Leekity (Zuni belt weaver), and Jerone Shelendewa (Zuni weaver)

From March 31 through April 2, Grand Canyon National Park is honored to host cultural demonstrators from the Pueblo of Zuni at Desert View Watchtower. Maliyah, Kaleb, and Jerone learned their traditional artforms through the Zuni Youth Enrichment Program (ZYEP), which promotes resiliency among Zuni youth and fosters strong connections to their cultural heritage.

Demonstrations will take place daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Desert View Watchtower.

More information on the Cultural Demonstration Program can be found on thepark’s website.

Special Program: Diné Storytelling Through Puppetry

Grand Canyon National Park staff and residents are invited to a special evening program on Thursday, March 26 at 7:15 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, featuring Diné (Navajo) puppeteer, filmmaker, and storyteller Pete Sands.

This unique performance blends puppetry, music, and film to bring language, culture, and traditional stories to life in an engaging and meaningful way. Pete Sands’ work highlights the importance of storytelling as a way to share cultural knowledge, inspire connection, and celebrate Indigenous perspectives.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Spaghetti Dinner to Benefit Grand Canyon High School Student Council

The Grand Canyon High School Student Council is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Wednesday, April 1 from 4:30pm-6pm. Patrons of the dinner who are parents of students at Grand Canyon are then invited to attend the PTA meeting in the library starting at 6pm.

See the attached flyer for more information.

Grand Canyon Community Library Events — March 30-April 4

The Grand Canyon Community Library has a full lineup of youth events for next week including storytime and crafts and brick builders lego club.

For a complete list of events and times, see the attached flyer here.

*New changes to operations are indicated in red.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 12-9 p.m. (food until 8:30 p.m.)
• Bright Angel Fountain, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. (food until 8:30 p.m.)
• Arizona Steakhouse, Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge, Breakfast 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9:30 p.m., Lounge 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. (food until 9 p.m.), Outdoor patio from 12 p.m. until dusk (weather permitting)
• Food truck located at Grand Canyon Visitor Center shuttle bus bay: 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (weather permitting)
• Canyon Food Cart (Rim Trail between Bright Angel and El Tovar Lodges: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (weather permitting)
• The Grand Canyon Kennel, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

Delaware North

• Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast 7-10 a.m., dinner 5-8 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Camper Services: 7 a.m.-6 p.m., last shower at 5:45 p.m. with last load of laundry at 5 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Canyon Adventures Cafe and bike rentals: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Kolb Studio, Visitor Center Plaza, Verkamp’s, and Yavapai Geology Museum: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Yoga—view the class schedule and learn more here.
• Shuttle Bus Spring Schedules (March 1 – May 22, 2026)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: 8:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Village (Blue) Route: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 6:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 a.m.; Departures from GCVC at 6:20, 7:20, and 8:25 a.m.
• Inner Canyon:
• CLOSED: River Trail east of River Resthouse to South Kaibab Trail junction through June 30, 2026
• CLOSED: Silver Bridge through June 30, 2026
• CLOSED: Plateau Point Trail through June 30, 2026
• CLOSED: North Kaibab Trail north of Ribbon Falls trail junction to the North Kaibab Trailhead.

Desert View

• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. with last stair access at 5 p.m.
• Desert View Trading Post, ice cream, and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Desert View Gas Station (24 hours via pay at pump)
• Desert View Campground will reopen for the 2026 season on April 11

North Rim

• Reopening of Hwy. 67 at 6 a.m. on May 15, 2026
• Reopening of the North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Ribbon Falls junction on May 15, 2026
• Reopening of Cottonwood Campground for

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

• Bighorn sheep at sunset near Mohave Point on the South Rim on Wednesday, March 18 (NPS Photo/M. Young)
• View from the Cape Royal Road on March 20 (NPS Photo/M. Forrest)
• ZYEP participants took turns reading the signs at Havasupai Gardens (NPS Photo/K. Yazzie)
• Beavertail cactus blooming in the canyon this week along the Clear Creek Trail (NPS Photo/K. Hensel)

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