GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin day-use operations on Oct. 16.
According to a National Park Service press release, Grand Canyon Lodge will close and no overnight accommodations, including camping, will be available to visitors to the North Rim. Visitors exploring the North Rim on or after Oct. 16 should plan to be self-sufficient and bring enough food and water for the day.
The following services will be available:
- The self-serve gas station, including diesel, for as long as state Route 67 is open. It will only accept credit and debit cards.
- Water at the North Rim Backcountry Information Center after Oct. 31.
The entrance gate on SR-67, which provides vehicular access to the North Rim, will close at sunset on Nov. 30, or after the first major snowstorm if prior to that date. The North Rim Scenic Roads to Point Imperial and Cape Royal will be closed temporarily from Oct. 16-18 for road maintenance.
The North Rim Visitor Center, operated by the Grand Canyon Conservancy, will close Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. The North Rim Backcountry Information Center will close for the season on Oct. 31. The General Store, as well as all retail, food and beverage services will close at 11 a.m. on Oct. 16.
All visitors traveling to the North Rim between now and Nov. 30 should be prepared for winter driving conditions on SR-67 and throughout the park. Snow, ice and rain are common during this time of the year. Call Arizona Highway Information to check road conditions at 1-888-411-ROAD (7623).
Nearby lodging, food services and fuel are located 45 miles north of the North Rim at Jacob Lake. Additional lodging and guest services are available in Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab.
Work progresses on transcanyon waterline
Meanwhile, on the South Rim, work continues on the Transcanyon Waterline Project and will result in seasonal closures as follows:
- Rim Trail in front of Bright Angel Lodge with a detour going around the Lodge: Nov. 16, 2023-April 4, 2024.
- Plateau Point Trail from the Tonto Trail junction to Plateau Point: Oct. 12, 2023-March 14, 2025.
- Bright Angel Trail approximately 1/2 mile from the Trailhead to Silver Bridge, including Havasupai Gardens Campground: Dec. 1, 2023-April 14, 2024.
- Bright Angel Trail from Havasupai Gardens to Silver Bridge: Dec. 2, 2024-March 14, 2025.
- Bright Angel Campground: Dec. 19, 2024-May 9, 2025.
- Silver Bridge: Sept. 15-Dec. 31, 2025.
“This huge undertaking is an example of the work taking place in national parks across the country to repair or replace vital infrastructure that provides visitors with safer and more enjoyable experiences,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, as reported in St. George News. “For too long, large-scale needs in national parks could not be properly addressed due to a lack of funding.”
The National Park Service outlined the project’s specifics when the project began in March.
The TCWL project will relocate the water intake for the water delivery system to the South Rim from Roaring Springs to Bright Angel Creek near Phantom Ranch. This location will greatly reduce the length of the TCWL and eliminate a portion of the current waterline north of Phantom Ranch that experiences the most frequent failures. The water intake at Roaring Springs will continue to provide water to the North Rim.
History celebrated
The park noted the heritages, traditions, stories and cultural practices of Tribal Nations including the 11 Tribes who call the canyon home on Monday, which was homage to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It is important for Indigenous people and tribal neighbors to feel welcomed at Grand Canyon National Park, a National Park Service news release said.
Visit the park website for more information on planning travel to the North Rim.