100 Years of Interpretation at Grand Canyon National Park

On March 6, 1926, the first issue of Grand Canyon Nature Notes was published, marking the beginning of NPS interpretation at Grand Canyon National Park. The bulletin was created by the park’s first Park Naturalist, Glen Sturdevant, who authored many of the early articles and illustrated the covers. Early editions introduced readers to the canyon’s natural history with articles on wildlife, plants, and seasonal observations.

The publication reflected a growing emphasis across the National Park Service on education in parks. Early leaders described national parks as “outdoor museums,” where visitors could study geology, plants, animals, and natural processes directly in the landscape. At Grand Canyon, interpretation quickly took shape through guided nature walks, evening campfire talks, and small museum exhibits designed to help visitors better understand the canyon’s remarkable features.

A century later, that mission continues in new ways. Today, Grand Canyon’s Interpretation and Resource Education program includes 18 permanent rangers working across Village Interpretation, Education, the Canyon District, and Desert View. Together they deliver hundreds of programs each year that help visitors explore the park’s geology, ecology, cultural history, and stewardship challenges.

In 2025, rangers presented 1,277 interpretive walks, talks, and programs, connecting with 115,751 visitors. The park’s environmental education team also hosted 42 field trips reaching 1,008 students and 30 distance learning programs serving 985 students. One hundred years after the first issue of Nature Notes, interpretation remains at the heart of the visitor experience—helping people connect with the canyon and inspiring stewardship for generations to come.

Each winter, Grand Canyon wildlife staff work to estimate the number of bison residing on the North Rim of the park. This annual count helps managers understand the current population and plan for potential capture and removal efforts later in the summer and early fall.

The survey typically takes place before bison begin calving (April-May). Wildlife staff also conduct an additional count of bison in Little Park Meadow during the summer to incorporate calves into the final population estimate. Last winter, staff were unable to conduct the helicopter survey associated with the population count, making this year’s effort especially important.

However, Northern Arizona experienced a relatively mild winter this year, which made the count more challenging. Surveys are usually scheduled after significant snowfall on the North Rim, when dark-colored bison stand out against the white landscape. Snow also makes it easier to follow tracks to locate individuals or groups for counting. This year’s helicopter flight took place on March 4 under very dry conditions, with only minimal patchy snow on the ground.

The number of bison observed during the survey is entered into a population model that estimates the total herd size, accounting for animals that may not have been detected during the flight. The final and official 2026 bison population estimate is expected sometime in April.

Due to the Dragon Bravo Fire last year, the park was unable to conduct bison capture and removal operations. As a result, wildlife managers expect the population may have increased by approximately 20-30 percent.

Many thanks to the helibase staff and contract pilot for their professional support of this important operation.

Storytelling and Songs with Radmilla Cody — March 20

Visitors and staff are invited to experience a special cultural program at Grand Canyon National Park on March 20 at 1 p.m. along the Rim Trail near Hopi House, featuring Diné singer and storyteller Radmilla Cody.

A GRAMMY-nominated artist and former Miss Navajo Nation, Cody is widely known for using music and storytelling to celebrate Indigenous culture and identity. Through powerful performances rooted in Diné tradition, she highlights themes of resilience, community, and cultural pride.

Programs like this continue the long tradition of cultural interpretation at Grand Canyon National Park, providing opportunities for visitors and the park community to learn directly from Indigenous voices and perspectives. For more information, see the attached flyer here.

Cultural Demonstrator next week at the Desert View Watchtower

Duane Tawahongva (Hopi Silversmith)

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday — March 17, 18, and 19

Desert View Watchtower from 9 am to 4 pm.

Duane is a self-taught silversmith, working in traditional Hopi silver overlay. Duane’s work incorporates hundreds of designs, including very traditional Hopi designs such as prayer feathers, clan symbols, corn maidens, water waves, and rain clouds. Duane also dabbles in special order contemporary designs such as unicorns, dolphins, and mermaids. Some of Duane’s work also incorporates semi-precious stones including coral, azurite, and natural Australian opal.

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

Guide Training Seminar to be held March 13-14

The annual Guide Training Seminar for Commercial Use Authorization holders will be held on Friday, March 13 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the South Rim.

The public is welcome to attend, and presentation topics will range from park updates on fisheries, PSAR, the Tribal Program, and much more! More information can be found in the attached flyer here or on GCC’s website where registration is required.

Xanterra St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

On Tuesday, March 17, Xanterra will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day dinner at Maswik Lodge from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Live entertainment will be performed by Tha ‘Yoties as well. A discount for the event will be provided to Grand Canyon residents and Xanterra employees.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Grand Canyon Community Library Events — March 16-21

The Grand Canyon Community Library has a full lineup of events for next week including storytime, canyon crafts, family game day, and much more.

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

Kaibab Learning Center and Grand Canyon Rec Center to sponsor Pancake Breakfast and Egg Hunt April 4

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Join the fun on Saturday, April 4 at the Grand Canyon School Cafeteria for the annual KLC Pancake Breakfast fundraiser and easter egg hunt. Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. with an easter egg hunt and pictures with the Easter Bunny to follow.

More details, including a full flyer is available 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.-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. with bike tours beginning Sunday, March 15
• 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 anticipated for May 15, 2026

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

• View from just above Phantom Ranch on March 11, 2026 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Glen Sturdevant, Grand Canyon National Park Ranger Naturalist (Photo from Officer Down Memorial Page)
• Aerial view of a bison herd on the North Rim on March 4, 2026 (NPS Photo)
• Sunset from the South Rim on March 6, 2026 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Duane Tawahongva demonstrating at the Desert View Watchtower (NPS Photo)

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