Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Sept. 15-19, 2025

Grand Canyon Hosts Naturalization Ceremony for 29 New Citizens

On Friday, September 12, Grand Canyon National Park hosted a naturalization ceremony at Mather Amphitheater, where 29 individuals from 13 countries officially became U.S. citizens. New citizens hailed from Brazil, Canada, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

The ceremony featured a presentation of colors by the Air Force ROTC Honor Guard from Northern Arizona University, the National Anthem performed by Audrey Stone, and music by the A-Train Sound. U.S. Magistrate Judge Camille D. Bibles presided, with U.S. District Court Deputy Clerk Christina Davison administering the Oath of Allegiance.

“This ceremony is a powerful reminder of unity and renewal,” said Superintendent Ed Keable. “As you stand here surrounded by the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, know that your journey and contributions will help shape the future of this nation.”

This event was part of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ annual nationwide celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, which recognizes the importance of citizenship and the principles of freedom and democracy enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

More details on the event can be found on the park website here, as well as aphoto gallery from the event here.

Dragon Bravo Fire: Progress Update on Recovery Work

The Dragon Bravo Fire is currently 94% contained with 625 personnel assigned. Over the past week, crews have made significant progress on recovery efforts.

Along Forest Service Road (FS) 610, work continues north of the area with cutting, skidding, and decking of hazard trees. To the south, cutting is now complete, with skidding, processing, and decking expected to wrap up within the next two days. On FS Road 611, hazard tree removal is finished, and crews are now focused on road grading.

Additional efforts include hazard tree cutting along FS Road 219, as well as slash pile construction on Cape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road. In the Kaibab National Forest, work also continues along the Arizona National Scenic Trail, where crews are cutting hazard trees and clearing slash.

The latest updates on recovery efforts can be found on the Dragon Bravo Fire Inciweb site here.

Hosted each year by Grand Canyon Conservancy, the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art is an annual event that includes 4 days of art related events(September 18 through 21) followed by a 6-month long exhibition in Kolb Studio. During the 4 days, park visitors and residents have the opportunity to watch a group of 22 outstanding artists paint “en plein air,” along the South Rim.

Plein air painting and artist demonstrations will take place on Thursday through Sunday of this week. Join us to watch the artists in action and connect with them, to learn more about their creative process.

🎨 Friday, September 19 — Public Demonstration

Mather Point Amphitheater, 3-5 p.m.

• Michelle Condrat
• Jose L. Nunez
• Bruce A. Gomez

🎨 Saturday, September 20 — Sunrise Painting

Between Mather Point and Trail View Overlook, 6-10 a.m.

Brush in hand, artists capture Grand Canyon as it awakens—the shifting shadows, glowing cliffs, and colors of the morning.

🎨 Sunday, September 21 — Artist Quick-Draw

Between Bright Angel Trailhead and Verkamp’s Visitor Center, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Watch as each artist creates a finished painting, during the 2-hour period. Artworks will then be available for purchase at Kolb Studio.

🎨 Sunday, September 21 — Public Exhibition Opening

Kolb Studio, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

The 2025 Celebration of Art exhibition will open to the public for the first time and artwork will be available for purchase. Enjoy light refreshments and browse the full collection.

The exhibition will be open to the public through April 26, 2026. Proceeds will go towards creating a dedicated art venue at Grand Canyon. Kolb Studio will be the hub of art activity at the canyon, displaying current collections and providing room for future acquisitions.

Learn more: Celebration of Art (CoA) | Grand Canyon Conservancy

Last week, Northern Arizona University hosted the 17th Biennial Conference of Science & Management on the Colorado Plateau & Southwest Region in Flagstaff. This event brought people together in-person and virtually from different agencies, universities, and programs to share and discuss a variety of projects related to the Southwest.

Congratulations to Hannah Chambless (Hydrologist), Garrison Loope (Physical Scientist), Anne Miller (Geologist/Paleontologist), and Carmen Kraus (Visual Information Specialist) for presenting from Grand Canyon!

Hawkwatch International Raptor Migration Programs

During September and October, a variety of raptors and other birds soar southward over Grand Canyon. Learn about their remarkable journey, and why we count them every fall.

When: September 12 through November 3, 2025 — every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 10:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. (30 minutes)

Where: Yaki Point on the South Rim. To access Yaki Point, park at the Visitor Center and take the Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route shuttle bus to Yaki Point. The buses run every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. until one hour after sunset. Vehicle parking is not available at Yaki Point—buses provide the only form of motorized transportation.

For more details, see the attached flyer here.

Astronomer in Residence Evening Program

Sunday, September 21 at 8 p.m. in the Visitor Center – Not Just Stars… Star Systems!

“Born too late to explore earth, born too early to explore the galaxy?” …Not quite. Join us as we discover not only our planetary neighbors, but exotic planets hiding in Grand Canyon’s dark skies. The theater presentation is followed by laser-guided stargazing outdoors.

Astronomer in Residence, Laura-May Abron, a French-U.S. astronomer, science communicator and artist from Paris, works at Griffith Observatory on asteroid research, and has had her science art featured by NASA, New Scientist, Spaceweather.com, and international galleries.

Cultural Demonstrations at Desert View Watchtower

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

➡️ Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 18, 19, 20

Matagi Soreson (Yavapai-Apache) – A skilled silversmith, Matagi’s jewelry blends Yavapai-Apache traditions with contemporary artistry.

Todd Westika (Zuni) – Todd will be demonstrating his skill as a stone carver. Zuni fetish carving is a traditional art form creating symbolic representations of animals that often hold spiritual significance and can represent traits, such as strength, wisdom, or protection.

➡️ Monday and Tuesday, September 22 and 23

Richard Graymountain (San Juan Southern Paiute) – Richard is one of the few remaining basketmakers from his community, preserving a vital cultural practice with every coil and stitch.

More information on the Cultural Demonstration Program can be found here.

Special Cultural Performances with the Apache Crown Dancers

The Apache Crown Dancers from Cibecue, are members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe of Arizona, who perform a sacred ceremonial dance embodying the Gaan mountain spirits to bring blessings, healing, and protection. The dance is an ancient tradition where performers wear masks and ornate wooden crowns, symbolizing the Gaan’s connection to the Apache people and the Creator.

Performance Schedule

• Desert View Watchtower – Monday, September 22, at 5:30 p.m.
• Visitor Center Plaza – Tuesday, September 23, at 10 a.m.
• Canyon Rim Trail near Hopi House — Tuesday, September 23 at 1 p.m.

Kaibab Learning Center hosts Food Sale & Movie Night — Thursday, Sept. 18

Kaibab Learning Center will host a family movie night and food/bake sale on Thursday, Sept. 18 at the Grand Canyon Rec Center Ramada. A food sale and the bake sale will begin at 6 p.m. with the movie, ‘Bad Guys 2’ beginning at 6:30 p.m.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Native Plant Giveaway for local residents Sept. 24-26

The NPS Vegetation Crew will be having a native plant giveaway on Sept. 24-26 from 4-6 p.m. These are pollinator-friendly plants that can attract bees, birds, and butterflies. Many are drought tolerant.

Plant pickup will be at the Grand Canyon Nursery located at 1402 Kennel Road. If you are interested but unavailable these dates/times, contact Catrina_Whitton@nps.gov.

More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.

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 6:30-10 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 4:30-9 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 4:30-8:30 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 11-9 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 6:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Deli 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Camper Services, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
• Mather Campground Store, 7 a.m.-8 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: Verkamp’s & 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 Sunday, 9/21, Verkamp’s will be open 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 provides trauma-sensitive yoga for our community. View the class schedule and learn more at www.grandcanyonyoga.com.
• Shuttle Bus Summer Schedule (Sept. 6-Nov. 30, 2025)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: 8 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Village (Blue) Route: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 6 a.m.-7:50 p.m.
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 6, 7, and 8 a.m.
• Inner Canyon:
• CLOSED: River Trail east of River Resthouse to South Kaibab Trail junction: Oct. 21, 2024-Oct. 31, 2025
• CLOSED: Silver Bridge: Oct. 21, 2024-Nov. 26, 2025
• CLOSED: South Kaibab Trail below Tip Off through Oct. 31, 2025

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post, ice cream, and coffee shop, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower and store, 8 a.m.-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: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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

• New citizens taking the Oath of Allegiance at the Mather Point Amphitheater on Sept. 12 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• New citizens from Kenya stand with U.S. Magistrate Judge, Camille Bibles (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Tree clearing apparatus along Hwy. 67 (CIMT Photo)
• Artist Michelle Condrat on the Rim of the Canyon during a Celebration of Art plein air session (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Photo collage from the 17th Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau and Southwest Region (NPS Photos)
• Astronomer in Residence, Laura-May Abron (photo courtesy of Laura-May Abron)
• Baskets by Richard Graymountain—San Juan Southern Paiute (NPS photo)
• Apache Crown Dancers at GCVC (NPS Photo)