Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: July 7-11, 2025

Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim

The Dragon Bravo Fire, located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, continues to show moderate fire activity as it burns in a remote area south of the Basin near the W1 Road. Sparked by lightning on July 4, the fire has grown steadily over the past few days and is currently estimated at approximately 120 acres.

The fire continues to be managed under a confine and contain strategy, which allows for the natural role of fire on the landscape while minimizing the risk to infrastructure and park values. There is currently no threat to public safety or developed areas, though smoke is visible from both the North and South Rim developed areas.

As of today, approximately 61 personnel are assigned to the incident. A Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command on July 9 to assist with fire management operations. Weather conditions remain favorable for moderate fire behavior, with sunny skies and light winds contributing to a steady rate of spread.

The following areas of Grand Canyon National Park will be closed to all visitor use: the Tiyo Point Trail, the Widforss Trail, the Widforss Forest Trail, the NG9 Outlet Canyon Use Area, the NF9 Widforss Use Area, and all NPS lands above the Coconino Sandstone between Dragon Creek and Transept Canyon that are south of the W-1 Point Sublime Road. The W-1 Point Sublime Road is closed between the W-4 segment and at the Arizona Trail crossing. The Arizona Trail remains open. See attached map. The closure will begin on July 9th, 2025, and will extend to August 9th, 2025, or as soon as the area is safe, whichever is first.

Fire managers will continue to monitor the fire closely and provide updates as conditions change. Updates on the fire can be found on the Inciweb website here.

North Rim Pumping Resumes —Stage 3 Water Restrictions Still in Effect

Water pumping has now resumed to the North Rim. Despite tank levels filling, Stage 3 water restrictions remain in effect until further notice. Employees and residents are encouraged to continue practicing water-saving measures.

Key Stage 3 Actions:

• Water usage is being closely monitored by utility staff.
• Concessions and residents are urged to minimize water use where possible.
• Reduced toilet flushing in homes and the Grand Canyon Lodge.
• Restrooms at the Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Lodge are closed; portable toilets are available.
• Campground restrooms, dump/fill station, and water spigots remain operational.
• Spigots at the admin building, trailhead, and the visitor center are on.

Ongoing Water Conservation Measures (Stage 1 & 2):

• Report and repair all leaks.
• Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads or in eco-mode.
• Reduce shower time and turn off taps while brushing teeth or shaving.

Late last month, wildlife staff on the North Rim rescued a northern saw-whet owl, suspected to have suffered a concussion from a vehicle strike. Fortunately, no other injuries were observed. After consulting with multiple wildlife rehab facilities, it was determined that the best course of action was to rehab the owl on-site—avoiding the risks of a 3+ hour transport and making use of the North Rim’s abundant mouse population.

The owl was named Sinclair, after the location where it was found. Over the course of a week, wildlife staff offered Sinclair mice twice daily and provided regular opportunities to fly. A few days into care, Sinclair managed a short glide into a bush—an early, promising sign. Then, on the evening of June 30, Sinclair took flight—up to a tree, then higher still, and eventually out of sight.

Reflecting on the release, one wildlife staff member shared, “A bittersweet moment after bonding with the little one for that long. We’ll remain nervous for their short-term and long-term survival, but with chances of recovery as low as they are in the rehab world, we consider this a great success.”

Volunteer for the North Rim Butterfly Count

Help scientists track butterfly populations on the North Rim! This year’s count will be held on Saturday, July 19 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. This annual count is part of an important research project supported by Grand Canyon Conservancy. It’s not too late to sign up—volunteers are still needed!

More information including details to reserve your spot can be found here.

New Grand Canyon Speaks Podcast with Ed Kabotie

In this episode, ranger Kelli talks with Ed Kabotie who is a Hopi and Tewa musician, painter and advocate for his Indigenous communities. Not only does Ed address many issues that Indigenous people face today, but he also performs a couple of his songs that carry the theme of empowerment.

Listen or download on NPS Podcasts, or on Apple Podcasts.

New Artists in Residence at Grand Canyon!

From July 5 to August 15, Grand Canyon Conservancy is hosting Nayda Collazo-Llorens and Patricia Villalobos Echeverria, two accomplished interdisciplinary artists whose work explores movement, mapping, migration, and transformation.

Nayda Collazo-Llorens, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, creates through drawing, video, installations, and site-specific works that delve into concepts of dislocation and mapping.She holds an MFA from NYU and a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at El Museo del Barrio (NY), Museum of Latin American Art (CA), Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (PR), and The Dowse Art Museum (New Zealand).

Patricia Villalobos Echeverria, born in Memphis to Salvadoran parents and raised in Managua, Nicaragua, blends prints, photos, video, installations, and participatory projects to explore migration and transformation. She holds a Doctor of Arts degree from the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design (Poland), an MFA from West Virginia University, and a BFA from Louisiana State University. Her work has been shown at The Mattress Factory (PA), Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (Spain), and Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo (Costa Rica).

Learn more about the Artist in Residence program here at GCC’s website and stay tuned for upcoming programming from these artists!

Grand Canyon Incident Report Available

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

See the latest Incident Report:

Grand Canyon Incident Report Ending July 8, 2025

Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12 – Grand Canyon Visitor Center

9:00–10:30 PM – Telescope Viewing

Peer through telescopes to observe planets, star clusters, and more with the help of park rangers and volunteers.

9:30 PM – Constellation Talk

Learn about the legends and science behind the constellations visible over Grand Canyon.

Sunday, July 13 —Grand Canyon Visitor Center

8:00 PM – “Our Endangered Night Sky”

Enjoy an evening program in the theater highlighting the importance of dark skies and how light pollution affects wildlife, human health, and our view of the stars.

9:00–10:30 PM – Telescope Viewing

9:30 PM – Constellation Talk

Cultural Demonstrators at Desert View this Week

Demonstrations take place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Desert View Watchtower.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 10-12

Annetta Koruh – Hopi Basket Weaver – uses native plants and dyes to make her baskets. Views weaving as a spiritual practice. Offers workshops in schools and women’s groups to foster communal healing.

Eugene Howard – Hopi Kachina Carver – A living Hopi artist who enjoys sharing the cultural craft of Kachina doll carving.

In partnership with the Arizona Trail Assocation (ATA) a multi-day event was hosted in mid-June on the North Rim. The event brought together ATA volunteer trail stewards, trail crew leaders, as well as NPS and USFS staff for crosscut saw training, certification, and on-the-trail stewardship.

Participants built their skills through hands-on instruction and worked in teams to remove over 100 downed trees on the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) from the North Kaibab Trailhead all the way to the Utah border. In addition to clearing the AZT, the crews assisted NPS Trails staff by removing downed trees on the Francois Matthes, Ken Patrick, Point Imperial, and Greenland Lake Trails within Grand Canyon National Park.

Sincere thanks to everyone at the ATA for strengthening our stewardship community and improving trail conditions across the Kaibab Plateau! Also, thanks to the following NPS staff for making this year’s collaboration a success: Adam Gibson, Dan Schweitzer, Kelsey DeVleer, Leto Sracic, Matt Luna, Dillan Simmons, Jeffrey Caton, Dan Mccrady, Candy Taylor, and Matt Jenkins.

Grand Canyon Historical Society Hosts Annual Picnic & Awards Ceremony – Saturday, July 12

Join the Grand Canyon Historical Society for its Annual Picnic and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, July 12, from noon to 4 p.m. at Shoshone Point on the South Rim.

Lunch kicks off around 1:00 p.m., followed by a brief update from GCHS President Tom Sulpizio and the presentation of this year’s awards: the Pioneer Award to Tom Myers and the Hall of Fame Award to Clarinda and John Vail.

Please bring a dish to share—casseroles, desserts, or other picnic favorites are welcome. GCHS will provide drinks, burgers (including veggie options), hot dogs, and all the fixings. Parking is limited, so carpooling or walking is encouraged. Volunteers will help shuttle supplies and guests as needed.

Questions? Contact Tom Sulpizio at president@grandcanyonhistory.org or Mari Carlos at secretary@grandcanyonhistory.org.

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.)
• Bright Angel Fountain, 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, (food until 9 p.m.)
• Arizona Steakhouse – Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30 p.m.-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.-10 p.m. (food until 9:30 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
• Fred Harvey Food Truck at Grand Canyon Visitor Center, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Delaware North

• Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast 7-10:30 a.m., dinner 5-9 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 6:30 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. to 10 p.m. daily
• Mather Campground Store, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Trailer Village Kiosk, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through Labor Day
• Canyon Adventures Bike Tours and Cafe: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Verkamp’s, Yavapai Geology Museum, Visitor Center Plaza-8 a.m.-8 p.m., Kolb Studio-8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays 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.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center): Full class schedule can be found here. Use discount GCLOCALS at checkout.
• Shuttle Bus Summer Schedule (May 24-Sep. 7, 2025)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: 8:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Village (Blue) Route: 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 6:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 4, 5, and 6 a.m.
• Tusayan (Purple) Route, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with service every 45 minutes
• Inner Canyon:
• CLOSED: River Trail east of River Resthouse to South Kaibab Trail junction: Oct. 21, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025
• CLOSED: Silver Bridge: Oct. 21, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post and ice cream and coffee shop, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower and store, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the last tower access at 5 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Desert View gas station (24 hours), retail: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

North Rim

• North Rim Visitor Center (GCC), 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• NPS Backcountry Information Center, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-5 p.m.
• General Store by campground, 7 a.m.- 8p.m.
• Guest Laundry and Showers, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. staffed, unstaffed from 7-10 p.m.
• Deli in the Pines, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Roughrider Coffee House, 5:30-10:30 a.m., Saloon, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room, breakfast 6:30-10 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., dinner (reservations required) 4:45-9:45 p.m.

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

• View of the Dragon Bravo Fire from the air on July 10 (NPS Photo/C. Kraus)
• Dragon Bravo Fire on July 9 (NPS Photo)
• North Rim water tanks (NPS Photo/E. Shalla)
• Sinclair the Owl (NPS Photo)
• Queen Butterfly (Robb Hannawacker)
• Night sky over the canyon (NPS Photo/J. Barden)
• Baskets by Annetta Koruh, fifth-generation Hopi basket weaver (NPS photo)
• ATA Volunteers on the North Rim (Photos: JJ Dunn, Janice Dunn, David Rabb)