Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: May 12-16, 2025

North Rim and Bright Angel Trail Reopen Today; Key Closures Continue

As of today, Thursday, May 15, we’re officially kicking off the summer season with the North Rim and Bright Angel Trail open to the public once again. This marks a big step forward following months of heavy construction, planning, and collaboration—thank you to everyone who played a role in getting us here.

At the North Rim, visitor services are now fully operational. The campground, Grand Canyon Lodge, Backcountry Information Center, and the Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore are open, and Rangers will be staffing the Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 15. Commercial services will run through mid-October, and the North Rim will remain open for day use until November 30 (or until snowfall closes the roads). The Bright Angel Point Trail will be closed for the season for safety improvements and trail repairs.

On the South side, the Bright Angel Trail is now open from the rim down to Pipe Creek Beach, and small group campsites at Bright Angel Campground are available. That said, we still have important closures in place through September 30, including the River Trail, Silver Bridge, Plateau Point Trail, and large group campsites at Bright Angel Campground. The Black Bridge is currently the only option for crossing the river. River exchanges are now open at both Pipe Creek Beach and Boat Beach. For Transcanyon Waterline project updates, please visit our park website here.

As temperatures in the inner canyon rise, please help reinforce heat safety messages with visitors—early starts, extra water and salty snacks, and realistic trip plans go a long way. As always, emergency response capacity remains limited, and everyone’s help in encouraging self-reliant hiking is appreciated.

Thank you all for your continued efforts to support these operations. For the latest on closures, conditions, and the waterline project, please check the park website.

2025 Firewise Cleanup Underway on South Rim!

We need your help in preventing wildfire severity! This week was marked by the first human-caused fire start of the season and highlights the importance of preventing wildfire severity in our community.

Now through May 25, residents on the South Rim are encouraged to pile woody debris and pine needles along residential roads in areas accessible to vehicles. Park staff will begin moving and hauling debris the week of May 26.

You can make a difference!

• Clear dead woody debris around your residence up to 30 ft.
• Rake pine needles and leaves and minimize collection of dirt and rocks, please!
• Move firewood away from structures (more than 10 ft. recommended).
• Do not collect industrial lumber; this material will be left.

Comments, questions, or concerns? Please reach out to Michael Guarino at Michael_Guarino@nps.gov. More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

North Kaibab Trailhead Waterline Repair

Water is currently OFF at the North Kaibab Trailhead due to a pipeline break during recent winter freeze-thaw cycles (see photo at right). Repair work is scheduled to begin in late May. This waterline services both the trailhead water station and the nearby concessionaire operated mule corrals.

As construction begins, there will be some short-term disruptions to traffic flow at the North Kaibab Trailhead parking lot and a possible short reroute of trail traffic.

What water is on and off throughout the park? Check out water status on the park’s Key Hiking Messages page here.

Shuttle Bus Schedule for Summer Season Begins Saturday, May 24

The park’s shuttle bus system will transition to the summer schedule beginning Saturday, May 24 and run through September 7, 2025.

Buses on the Village (Blue Route) and Hermit Road (Red Route) routes will run every 15 minutes during the early morning hours, then every 10 minutes during most of the day. The Kaibab Route (Orange Route) to the South Kaibab Trailhead and Yaki Point runs approximately every 15 minutes from 5 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

• The Village (Blue) Route begins service at 6:30 a.m. The last bus does the loop at 8:30 p.m. Riders need to be at a bus stop no later than 8:30 p.m.
• The Hermit Road Route (Red) will begin service at 8 a.m. The last bus is one hour after sunset.
• The Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route begins service at 6 a.m. with service until 8:30 p.m.
• The Hiker’s Express Bus, from Bright Angel Lodge and the Backcountry Information Center — to South Kaibab Trailhead will run with departures at 4, 5, and 6 a.m.
• The Tusayan (Purple) Route, with service from Grand Canyon Visitor Center to the Town of Tusayan, will run every 45 minutes from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors riding the bus from Tusayan into the park must present a valid park entrance pass when boarding the bus.

For more information on the shuttle bus routes and times, for the summer season, visit the park’s website here (please note this website will not be updated until May 24 when the new schedule goes into effect).

Earlier this week, park staff welcomed students from STAR Charter School and the Arizona Trail Association’s Seeds of Stewardship (SOS) program for a meaningful visit rooted in connection and education. This marks the second year the program has partnered with STAR Charter for a trip to the canyon, following a successful visit last year.

The Seeds of Stewardship program aims to provide youth in northern Arizona with positive, hands-on outdoor experiences. As stated in their mission, SOS is dedicated to “providing educational and meaningful outdoor experiences that empower youth to become the next generation of stewards of Arizona’s wild landscapes.”

This year’s group included 4th and 5th grade students, the majority of whom are Navajo and Hopi, from Leupp, Arizona. For about half the class, this was their first-ever visit to Grand Canyon National Park.

Staff from Tribal Affairs, Desert View Interpretation, and Education teams welcomed the group and shared about working with Indigenous communities and the deep cultural connections many tribes have to the canyon. It was a memorable day of learning, reflection, and inspiration—for both the students and park staff.

Thank you to all staff who contributed their time and expertise to make this experience meaningful for our guests and future stewards.

Special Programming this Weekend on the South Rim

On Friday, May 16, join us for a special performance featuring Maxwell Talahytewas group from the Hopi Village of Moenkopi. The performances will begin at 10 a.m. at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and will be followed by a performance at 2 p.m. on the Rim Trail in front of the Hopi House. More information on these performances can be found in the attached flyer here.

On Monday, May 19, there will be a special presentation by Fire Archaeologist, Jason Nez, at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater at 7:45 p.m. An advocate for Indigenous peoples, Jason focuses on the preservation of Cultural Resources and their cultural and historical significances. He will discuss his career journey and the significance of being an Indigenous Dine archaeologist. More information on this program can be found in theattached flyer here.

Save the Date: Cultural Demonstration Program 11th Anniversary Celebration

📅 May 24–25

📍 Desert View Watchtower

Grand Canyon National Park, in partnership with Grand Canyon Conservancy, will be celebrating 11 years of the Cultural Demonstration Program at Desert View!

Launched in 2014 with just four artists representing the 11 Associated Tribes of Grand Canyon, the program has since grown to include over 200 participants and has collaborated with numerous tribal organizations to share traditional knowledge, art, and storytelling with park visitors.

To honor this milestone, the park will host 12 cultural demonstrators from Associated Tribes, as well as prayers, performances, presentations, speeches, and a special Grand Canyon Speaks program. More information on the Cultural Demonstrations as well as the lineup of events can be found in the attached flyer here or on our park website.

*Note: there will be no Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Desert View demonstrations the last two weeks of May due to the 11th anniversary celebration event.

This is my first permanent job after working many years as a seasonal in great places like Olympic NP, Canyonlands Needles District, and Bridger Teton NF in Wyoming. However, I will be celebrating my 2-year anniversary at the canyon in July! I grew up in Michigan but moved to South Korea after college and taught English there for a year. While overseas I realized I had been lucky enough to travel many parts of Asia, but I had seen next to nothing of our beautiful and diverse country.

I joined a conservation corps based out of Steamboat Springs, CO in 2010 and ever since then have been bouncing around beautiful places out west. One of my first ever backpacking trips was in the Grand Canyon – seven days hiking from Tanner Trail across the Escalante Route to Bright Angel campground and out. It was brutal, beautiful and a formative experience to say the least. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to have cover countless miles in the Canyon, including some canyoneering, packrafting, and off trail misadventures. By far the most challenging and probably stupidest thing I ever did here was carry my bike across the canyon when I biked the entire Arizona Trail in spring of 2021. Grand Canyon has always been a very special place to me, and I am so happy to be here. I have a job I really love and work with some of the best people I’ve met in the park service. I feel lucky to work and live in such an amazing place.

What’s the best book, podcast, or show you’ve enjoyed recently? I just read Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon. It was really really good! I returned it to the library so go check it out!

What are you looking forward to the most this spring season? I’m looking forward to checking off some more obscure places in the canyon here, especially one’s with ample water. Also, myself and the GRCA community organizing team, are putting together more community potlucks and this time with music, so stay tuned for some dates in June, July, and August 🙂

Community Invited to Public Works Open House—Wednesday, May 21

To celebrate National Public Works Week, the Facility Management & Engineering Division (FMD) will be hosting a community open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 21 at the FMD Complex located at 1575 Shuttlebus Road.

FMD staff will have many equipment displays, and it is a great opportunity to meet your public works responders who do everything from snow plowing to trash removal.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Senior Graduation Parade—Thurs., May 22

Celebrate the 2025 Phantom Senior Class by coming out for the Senior Graduation parade on Thursday, May 22!

Beginning at 4:45 p.m., the parade will travel through most residential areas on the South Rim and end at the school track. Honk, shout, or wave to the school’s accomplished Seniors as they proceed through the residential areas.

A flyer for the event can be found here as well as a map of the parade route.

Canyon Closet Announces Summer Operating Hours

The Canyon Closet, a free clothing program for members of the Grand Canyon Community, have posted their summer operating hours. Located in the High School Building upstairs, the closet will be open every Wednesday in June from 12-3 p.m. and also on Saturday, July 19 from 1-4 p.m.

More information on the Canyon Closet as well as donations can be found in the attached flyer here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-9 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, 12-9 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, daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 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: Verkamps 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Yavapai Geology Museum-8 a.m.-7 p.m., Visitor Center Plaza-8 a.m.-7 p.m., Kolb Studio-8 a.m.-6 p.m., Beginning on 5/18: Visitor Center Plaza, Yavapai, and Verkamps will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Kolb Studio will remain 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
• The Verkamp’s Restroom behind the Verkamp’s Visitor Center will be closed through May 22, for construction.
• 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 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 Spring Schedules (March 1 – May 23, 2025)
• 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.
• Inner Canyon:
• River Trail east of River Resthouse to South Kaibab Trail junction: Oct. 21, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025
• Silver Bridge: Oct. 21, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post and ice cream and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5 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, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Desert View gas station (24 hours), retail: 9 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.

• Welcome to the North Rim! A ranger greets visitors on May 15, 2025 (NPS Photo/M. Jenkins)
• Line of cars outside the North Rim Entrance Station on the morning of May 15, 2025 (NPS Photo/M. Jenkins)
• Broken North Kaibab Trailhead pipeline (NPS Photo/J. Caton)
• Tribal medallion near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (NPS Photo)
• SOS program with staff from the Tribal Program and Interpretation Division (NPS Photo)
• Michele Vaught, Backcountry Visitor Technician (Photo courtesy of M. Vaught)
• Sunset on March 12, 2025 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)