The next edition of this newsletter will be published on July 9, 2026.

See Elk in an Exclusion Zone? Call Dispatch Immediately

As part of Grand Canyon National Park’s Conservation K-9 Pilot Project, wildlife staff are asking employees and residents to report any elk observed within designated wildlife exclusion zones.

The five designated exclusion zones are:

• El Tovar Complex
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center
• Maswik Lodge
• Mather Campground Services Area
• Grand Canyon School

If you see an elk inside an exclusion zone, contact dispatch at 928-638-7805 immediately. Do not attempt to approach, haze, move, or otherwise interact with the animal. During normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.), wildlife staff will respond immediately. After hours, weekends, and holidays, Dispatch will notify the on-call wildlife staff member.

Prompt reporting is critical to the success of the Conservation K-9 Pilot Project, which is designed to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and encourage elk to avoid high-use visitor areas. If you observe elk in an exclusion zone, report it and allow trained wildlife staff and the park’s Conservation K-9, Blue, to respond safely and effectively.

A separate map and information sheet identifying all exclusion zones can bereferenced here.

Jason Nez Receives 2026 Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award

Jason Nez, Fire Archaeologist at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership in protecting cultural and historic resources during the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire, as well as his sustained contributions to resource stewardship and mentorship.

During the Dragon Bravo Fire, Jason served as the lead resource advisor, working alongside fire management teams and resource specialists to identify, protect, and preserve cultural sites under extreme fire conditions. His efforts included guiding protection strategies for historic structures and archaeological resources, assisting with suppression repair and burned area emergency response efforts, and contributing directly to on-the-ground fireline operations when needed.

In addition to his work during the fire, Jason played a critical role in post-fire recovery and documentation efforts, helping ensure that actions taken during and after the incident are recorded as part of the park’s long-term historical record. The fire ultimately burned more than 149,000 acres, including significant portions of park land, and resulted in the loss of many historic structures—making preservation efforts during the incident especially vital.

Beyond his operational accomplishments, Jason is widely recognized for his commitment to mentorship and education. Over his eight years at Grand Canyon National Park, he has trained firefighters, archaeologists, Indigenous youth, and park staff in cultural resource protection and fire management. He also serves as an instructor for the National Park Service’s Intermountain Region fire program, where he helps prepare new resource advisors for assignments across the National Park Service.

Congratulations to Jason on this well-deserved recognition and continued dedication to protecting and preserving cultural resources.

Upcoming Temporary Closures: North Kaibab Trailhead Parking and Lipan Point

Two temporary closures are scheduled within Grand Canyon National Park beginning June 22, 2026. Employees are encouraged to help share this information with visitors planning ahead during this period.

The North Kaibab Trailhead Parking Lot will close from 1 a.m. on June 22 through 5 p.m. on June 26 to allow for hazard tree mitigation work. The North Kaibab Trail and pit toilets will remain open. Visitors may park along Highway 67 between Admin Loop and Point Sublime (W1) Road or in the former lodge parking lot and access the trailhead via the Bridle Path. Commercial shuttle services will continue pickups and drop-offs near the General Store in the Backcountry Information Center parking area.

At the same time, Lipan Point and Lipan Point Road on Desert View Drive (Highway 64) will close to all visitor use beginning June 22 through December 23, 2026, for major rehabilitation work including asphalt removal and trail reconstruction. The Tanner Trail will remain open; visitors must park at “No Name Point” and walk approximately 1,000 feet to the trailhead. Parking along Highway 64 near the Lipan Point Road intersection will not be permitted.

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and consider alternative viewpoints along Desert View Drive during the closure period.

The 36th Annual Grand Canyon Star Party is currently underway on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and continues through Saturday, June 13. This free event offers visitors and employees the opportunity to experience some of the darkest night skies in the country alongside amateur astronomers from around the world.

Each evening at 8 p.m., astronomy presentations are held at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza, followed by telescope viewing and constellation tours led by volunteers from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. Weather permitting, dozens of telescopes are set up for viewing planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and other celestial objects. Solar telescopes are also available during daytime hours.

For event schedules and additional information, visit the park’s Star Party webpage.

Summer Village Ranger Program Schedule Begins June 14

Beginning Sunday, June 14, Village Ranger Programs will be offered four times daily.

Programs include a 9 a.m. Rim Walk, a 2 p.m. Critter Chat, a 3 p.m. Geology Talk, and a Ranger Rendezvous Program (location, time and topics vary).

The full schedule can be found in the attached flyer here.

70th Anniversary Commemoration of the 1956 Grand Canyon Midair Collision

On June 30, community members, visitors, and families of victims will gather to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Grand Canyon midair collision, one of the most significant events in aviation history.

Hosted by the Grand Canyon Historical Society and the Patrons of the 1956 Grand Canyon Midair Collision, the commemoration honors the 128 people who lost their lives when two commercial airliners collided over Grand Canyon National Park on June 30, 1956. At the time, it was the deadliest commercial aviation disaster in U.S. history and ultimately helped lead to the creation of the Federal Aviation Administration in 1958.

Events on June 30 will begin at 9 a.m. at the Desert View Amphitheater and continue throughout the day with remembrance ceremonies at the Pioneer Cemetery and presentations by historians, family members, aviation experts, and former National Park Service employees at the Shrine of the Ages. The commemoration will conclude on July 1 with a memorial service beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Flagstaff, where attendees will honor the victims of TWA Flight 2.

More information on the commemoration event can be found on GCHS’s website here.

Summer Softball Season Underway at the Rec Center

This year’s softball season continues through July 30 and features four teams: the Rock Dust Rejects, Humpback Chubs, Valle Migos, and NPS Squirrels.

Whether you’re stepping up to the plate, cheering from the sidelines, or just looking for an enjoyable summer evening, everyone is encouraged to come out and support the teams throughout the season. The full schedule can be found in the attached flyer here.

Grand Canyon Community Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program

Looking for a fun way to stay engaged this summer? The Grand Canyon Community Library’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is underway and runs through July 24. Community members of all ages are invited to participate.

Children and teens (ages 0-17) will receive a free book when they register. Participants can mark out one space on their reading log for every 10 minutes read, library program attended, or Summer Reading Challenge activity completed. Tickets for raffle prizes are awarded for every 10 spaces marked out (up to 5 raffle tickets). Adults who complete the challenge will receive an enamel pin, while children and teens who finish will receive a prize bag. Additionally, completed reading logs for children will be stamped and signed by library staff after which they can present their log at the Tusayan Pizza Hut for a free personal pan pizza. Stop by the library to register, discover your next great read, and join the summer fun!

• Flyer for events June 15-20
• Flyer for events June 22-27
• Flyer for events June 29-July 2

Celebrate Independence Day in Tusayan on July 4

The Town of Tusayan invites employees, residents, and visitors to celebrate Independence Day at its annual Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 4, from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Festivities will begin with a parade at 4 p.m. and continue throughout the evening with live music from the Juniper Hill and Sapphire Sky bands, Navajo hoop dancers, food and beverages, a cornhole tournament, face painting, balloon art, kid’s bike decorating, and a foam party. The celebration will conclude with a drone light show at dusk.

More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.

Tha Yoties Music Performance July 5 at the Rec Center

On Sunday, July 5 from 7-11 p.m., the Grand Canyon Union will present a dance party at the Grand Canyon Rec Center featuring Tha Yoties.

A suggested donation for the event is $5 and more information can be found in 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, 12-10 p.m. (food until 9:30 p.m.), from June 15-30, the hours for the Pizza Pub will be from 3 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, current hours are from 6 a.m.-3 p.m., after June 24 hours will return to 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

Delaware North

• Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast 7-10:30 a.m., dinner 5-9 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Camper Services: 7 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily., Camper Services Grab n Go: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Clinic: 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Pharmacy hours: Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 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.-8 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.
• Summer Shuttle Bus Schedule (May 23 – Sep. 11, 2026)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: 8 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Village (Blue) Route: 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 5 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 4, 5, and 6 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

Desert View

• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. with last stair access at 6 p.m.
• Desert View Trading Post, ice cream, and coffee shop, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Desert View Gas Station & Service Station Retail, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with 24-hour pay-at-the-pump access

North Rim

• General Store (adjacent to the campground), open May 15 to Oct. 15 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Gas Station – 24- hour self-serve pay-at-the-pump; gas and diesel available. Open May 15 to Oct. 15.
• The North Rim Campground is now open through Oct. 15, 2026. Reservations are now available for booking at rec.gov.

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

• Pincushion cactus blooming on the rim this week (NPS Photo/K. Besom)
• Astronomers with telescopes stationed in the Commercial Bus Lot during the 2026 Star Party (NPS Photo/M. Young)
• Chuar and Temple Buttes; the site of debris wreckage from the 1956 mid-air collision (GCHS photo)
• Preserve America Youth Summit at Desert View on June 2 (NPS Photo)
• Mather Point sunset on Sunday, June 7 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)

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