Bright Angel Flash Flood Response and South Rim Water Conservation

Grand Canyon National Park continues response and recovery efforts following the August 29 flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area. Search, accountability, infrastructure assessment, and recovery work are ongoing under a Type II Incident Management Team.

Flash Flood Response and Search Efforts

At this time, 82 people have been rescued, two people have been recovered deceased, and one person remains missing. Search efforts for the missing hiker continue with park staff and partner agencies.

The flood caused extensive damage to trails, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure in the inner canyon. Early assessments indicate that approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline and five to seven miles of the North Kaibab Trail have been severely damaged. Four bridges in the Box were severely damaged or washed away. Assessments are continuing, and these estimates may change as crews learn more about the extent of the damage.

Current Closures

Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the entire North Kaibab Trail, Black Bridge, and Silver Bridge remain closed until further notice. As of today, there are additional closures below the Tonto junction along the Bright Angel Trail and below Tipoff on the South Kaibab Trail. There is currently no estimated reopening date for these areas and more information is available on the Key Hiking Messages webpage. Grand Canyon National Park remains open for day use on the South and North Rims.

South Rim Water Conservation

The Transcanyon Waterline is not operational, and the South Rim is relying on water stored in the system while repairs, damage assessments, and alternative water supplies are evaluated. Stage 4 water restrictions remain in effect. Community conservation is essential to extending the available supply and maintaining critical services. For helpful tips, please refer to this ‘Every Drop Counts’ flyer.

Residents and employees are asked to use commercially bottled or other approved potable water brought in from outside the South Rim system whenever possible for drinking, cooking, food preparation, brushing teeth, making ice, washing produce, filling reusable bottles, and providing drinking water for pets.

Please reserve South Rim tap water primarily for essential hygiene, sanitation, toilet flushing, and necessary cleaning. Every gallon conserved provides additional time and flexibility to maintain essential community services and support emergency response.

Please take the following actions at home and at work:

• Capture water while waiting for it to warm. Place a clean bucket or container under the showerhead or faucet while waiting for hot water. Clearly identify the collected water as non-drinking water and use it promptly for toilet flushing or other non-food cleaning.
• Keep showers as short as possible. Turn off the water while soaping, shampooing, or shaving. Reduce the frequency of showers where practical.
• Do not leave faucets running. Turn off the water while brushing teeth, shaving, lathering hands, soaping dishes, or performing other tasks that do not require continuously running water.
• Use a cup or basin instead of running water. Use bottled water for brushing teeth. Use a small basin for shaving, washing, or other personal-care activities whenever practical.
• Reduce toilet flushing. Flush only when necessary. Use captured water for bucket flushing when practical and in accordance with any instructions provided by the park, employer, or housing manager.
• Use the minimum water necessary for dishes. Run dishwashers only when completely full and use economy settings. When washing dishes by hand, scrape food first and wash in a filled basin rather than under running water. Avoid unnecessary pre-rinsing.
• Postpone nonessential laundry. Run washing machines only with full loads and use economy or water-saving settings.
• Eliminate nonessential cleaning and outdoor water use. Do not use potable water for vehicle washing, outdoor watering, pressure washing, hose cleaning, or other activities that can be postponed.
• Check for and report water loss. Report leaking toilets, dripping faucets, broken fixtures, running water, or other unexplained water use immediately.

Continuing to Keep the Community Informed

The next Grand Canyon Community Meeting will be held Tuesday, September 8, at 5 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages. The meeting will provide an opportunity to hear the latest information about flood response and recovery, water resources, and ongoing park operations.

Community members are also encouraged to submit questions, concerns, and ideas for the Incident Management Team to consider: Submit questions and ideas.

We recognize the significant impact these changes have on residents, employees, visitors, and park operations. Response and recovery work will continue, and conditions may change as assessments provide a clearer picture of the damage and available resources. The park will continue providing updates as new information becomes available. Thank you to the Grand Canyon community for your patience, flexibility, and continued conservation efforts.

All performances take place in Shrine of the Ages Auditorium. Evening performances take place on Fridays and Saturdays, running through this Saturday, September 5. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation, with a suggested donation of $20. Details: https://grandcanyonmusicfest.org/concerts/

Friday, Sep. 4 (5 p.m.) School of Rock! This event is free and open to the public featuring Grand Canyon High School musicians.

Friday, Sept. 4, (7:30 p.m.) Bonfiglio Group – Festival Co-founder, Robert Bonfiglio’s 80th Birthday Bash Concert! Robert and his friends and colleagues, guitarist Steve Benson and pianist, composer, producer, conductor, music director, and arranger Mark Berman, bring us an evening of blues, jazz, and more.

Saturday, Sept 5, (7:30 p.m.) Nicholas Johnson and Friends perform music by British/Jamaican composer Eleanor Alberga, Felix Mendelssohn, and Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate.. This group of young, adventurous musicians includes: violinists Grant Houston and Ariel Horowitz, violist Kayla Williams, and cellist Nicholas Johnson, explore the expansive range of the string quartet. Concert Repertoire: Felix Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 6 in F Minor, Opus 80 – Eleanor Alberga, OBE FRAM String Quartet No. 2 – Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate “Abokkoli’ Taloowa’” (Woodland Songs)

Bake Sale Fundraiser Supports Grand Canyon School Field Trip

Help Grand Canyon School’s 8th grade students raise funds for their upcoming field trip to Washington, D.C. by stopping by the Bake Sale Fundraiser on Saturday, September 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the General Store in the Park.

All proceeds supporting students’ travel to Washington, D.C. A flyer for this event can be found here.

*New changes to operations are indicated in red.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 12-11 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, current hours are from 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)
• Fred Harvey 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: CLOSED
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-12 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Deli: CLOSED
• Camper Services: CLOSED
• Trailer Village: CLOSED

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): 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Kolb Studio, Verkamps, and Yavapai Geology Museum: 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Visitor Center Plaza: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., CLOSED Saturday and Sunday
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• 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
• Tusayan (Purple) Route: Every 45 minutes from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 4, 5, and 6 a.m.
• Fall Shuttle Bus Schedule (Sep. 12-Nov. 30, 2026)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: 8 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Village (Blue) Route: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 6 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 6, 7, and 8 a.m.

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, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Gas Station & Service Station Retail: CLOSED, 24-hour pay-at-the-pump access

North Rim

• General Store (adjacent to the campground), open through 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 through Oct. 15.
• The North Rim Campground open through Oct. 15, 2026. Reservations are available for booking at rec.gov.

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

• A K9 search mission awaits at the South Rim Helibase (BORSTAR/CBP Photo)
• The Bonfiglio Group (Photo courtesy of GCMF)

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