Park Moves to Stage 1 Water Restrictions

Good news! Grand Canyon National Park has moved to Stage 1 water restrictions after improved reservoir tank levels. While this shift allows for normal operations, conserving water is still important. All employees, residents, and visitors are asked to continue using water wisely.

In recent weeks, the NPS Trail Crew has been completing critical infrastructure repairs along the North Kaibab Trail north of Phantom Ranch in an area known as “The Box.” This effort has focused on much-needed bridge maintenance to support safe and reliable access through this section of the corridor ahead of its March 4, 2026 reopening.

Work has included replacing bridge decking and handrails, stabilizing abutments, and repairing and rehabilitating mortar stone retention walls. Crews have concentrated their efforts on maintenance of three foot bridges and replacement of running boards on the Black Bridge. (A more extensive rehabilitation of the Black Bridge is planned with contractors next year.)

In addition to bridge work, the Trail Crew has been clearing rockslides and protecting exposed water lines as they move through the corridor. This week, the crew successfully removed a rockslide that had made the trail impassable to mules. As a result, Grand Canyon Packers are once again able to access the North Kaibab Trail and provide pack support as far as the 4th Box Bridge.

Thank you to the Trail Crew for their hard work in support of safe trails and essential inner canyon operations!

A new flash flood advisory sign has been installed just north of Phantom Ranch along the North Kaibab Trail to help hikers better understand current flood risk in the Bright Angel Creek corridor. The sign uses a color-coded system to show when flash flooding is not expected, possible, probable, or expected, providing an at-a-glance snapshot of conditions in an area where canyon walls narrow and water levels can rise quickly. This location is especially important following the Dragon Bravo Fire, which has increased the potential for debris movement during storm events.

Canyon rangers will actively update the sign based on forecasts and warnings from the National Weather Service, as well as real-time data from stream and precipitation gages installed throughout the Bright Angel watershed. As conditions change, the sign will reflect the current level of risk so travelers can make informed decisions before entering “The Box.”

This new signage is part of a broader effort to improve flash flood awareness, communication, and preparedness on the North Kaibab Trail and in the Phantom area. Everyone traveling in the inner canyon is encouraged to stay weather-aware and take personal responsibility for their safety.

Upcoming Restroom Closures on Bright Angel Trail

Temporary restroom closures along the Bright Angel Trail are scheduled beginning next week. The 1½-Mile Restroom will be closed Tuesday, February 10 through Thursday, February 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Additionally, the 3-Mile Restroom will be closed Tuesday, February 24 through Thursday, February 26, also from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for compost evacuation. Signage will be posted at the Bright Angel Trailhead and at the affected restroom locations to inform visitors during these closures. Please plan accordingly and help share this information as needed.

Virtual Outing: Exploring the Early History of the North Rim

Join the Grand Canyon Historical Society next week for a virtual outing featuring historian Davy Crockett, who will present Early Development of Grand Canyon’s North Rim, Including the Historic Lodge on Tuesday, February 10 at 6 p.m. MST.

The program will explore the unique history of the North Rim, from early efforts beginning in 1902 to make the area accessible to visitors, to the challenging construction of the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge. Participants will learn how early visionaries from Utah shaped development in this remote, high-elevation landscape and will see rarely shared historical photographs.

The talk will stream live on the Grand Canyon History YouTube channel and will also be available to watch later as a recording.

Grand Canyon Rec Center announces February Calendar of Events

See all the fun events the Grand Canyon Community Rec Center has scheduled for the month of February! In addition to outings and events, the Rec Center also hosts regular meetings and clubs including (but not limited to) boxing, kickboxing, D&D club, volleyball, and pride club. More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.

Bake Sale Fundraiser for 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip — Feb. 14

The 8th grade class is continuing its fundraising efforts for their upcoming trip to Washington D.C. Visit the General Store in the park on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

KLC Valentine’s Flower Sale — Feb. 14

Kaibab Learning Center is hosting a Valentine’s Day Flower Sale on Friday, February 13 at the DNC General Store on the South Rim from 4-7 p.m. All proceeds go towards educational and childcare programming for the center. Pre-order is also available.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Become an Arizona Trail Steward on the Kaibab Plateau

The Arizona Trail Association (ATA) is looking for volunteers to serve as stewards on the Kaibab Plateau. ATA is currently looking for someone to serve as Segment Steward on 42A: Government Tank, which is a 9.2 mile stretch at the Arizona National Scenic Trail that goes from 89A to Government Tank. The goal for the steward is to ensure a positive experience for trail users on their portion of the Arizona Trail by monitoring their section. Interested stewards sign on for a 3-year term with the ATA.

For more information on volunteering for this role, please reach out to Forrest Radarian at Forrest.Radarian@gmail.com.

*New changes to operations are indicated in red.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-9 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dinner 4-8 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. (food until 7:30 p.m.)
• Arizona Steakhouse – Lunch: Closed until further notice, Dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m., Lounge 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (food until 8:30 p.m.)
• 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.-5 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Canyon Adventures Cafe: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., bike tours suspended until spring 2026
• 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.-6 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.
• Winter Shuttle Bus Schedule (Dec. 1, 2025-Feb. 28, 2026)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: Suspended (open to private vehicles)
• Village (Blue) Route: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 8 a.m.-7:20 p.m.
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 8 and 9 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 Clear Creek Trail Junction

Desert View

• Desert View Watchtower, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with stairs closing at 4 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), retail closed for the 2025 season

North Rim

• Reopening anticipated for May 15, 2026 (more details to come)

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

• Full Snow Moon rising as seen from Yavapai Point on Feb. 1, 2026 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Photo collage of trail crew work along the North Kaibab Trail, Jan. 2026 (NPS Photos/D. Schweitzer & A. Gibson)
• Flash flood warning signage just north of Phantom Ranch following installation by NPS Trail Crew (NPS Photo/A. Gibson)
• Original Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim (before it burned), circa 1930 (NPS Museum Collection)
• NPS Packers welcomed kindergarten through second graders from the Grand Canyon School to the Sunset mule barns on Feb. 2 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)

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