With winter not too far off, operations on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will be shutting down for the season pretty soon/Patrick Cone file photo

With winter on its way, operations on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park are winding down, and most will be shuttered for the winter months as of October 15. The North Rim will remain open to day-use visitors and overnight campers until Thursday, December 1, unless heavy snowfall closes State Highway 67.

The Grand Canyon Lodge, operated by Forever Resorts, will continue to take reservations through October 15. The last meal served at the Grand Canyon Lodge will be breakfast on the morning of October 16. After that, no food service will be available on the North Rim. Self-service gas and diesel fuel will continue to be available on the rim through December 1 or until State Highway 67 closes. Canyon Trail Rides will offer their last mule rides on October 15.

The North Rim Visitor Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October 31, as staffing allows. The North Rim Backcountry Information Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October 31.

Visitor entrance and campground fees on the North Rim will be collected by rangers through October 31. From November 1 to December 1 entrance fees are paid at the automated fee machine located behind the visitor center. Entrance fees are $30 per vehicle, $25 for motorcycles, and $15 for walk-ups and bicycles, all good for seven days for both North and South Rim.

North Rim Campground sites are available by reservation through October 31. Campground reservations are booked online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. From November 1 through May 15, the North Rim Campground reverts to primitive use without running water. Backcountry reservations from the Backcountry Information Center are required. The South Rim Backcountry Information Center remains open year round and can be reached by email at [email protected] or by calling 928-638-7875.

Weather and road conditions permitting, through November visitors will have access to Bright Angel Point, Point Imperial, and Cape Royal as well as the North Kaibab trailhead. Inner canyon users with a valid backcountry permit will be allowed to park overnight at the North Kaibab trailhead. A limited number of campsites at the North Rim Campground will be available to hikers with advanced reservations. A backcountry permit is required and will be available through the South Rim Back Country Information Center. 

All North Rim operations will close for the season at 8 a.m. on Thursday, December 1. Hikers and cross-country skiers will still be able to enter the North Rim of the park through the winter months with valid backcountry permits.

The Kaibab Lodge located four miles north of the park boundary will have full service through October 20, closing on the morning of October 21. The North Rim Country Store, located across the street from the Kaibab Lodge, will remain open until October 28, weather permitting. Jacob Lake Inn, restaurant and gas station, located 45 miles from the North Rim, remains open year-round. Beginning October 16 through December 31, the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center at Jacob Lake may be open on weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call ahead at 928-643-7298 to ensure the visitor center is open.

Arizona Department of Transportation officials intend to keep State Highway 67 open through December 1, but a major storm with heavy snowfall could close the road earlier. After October 15, visitors should be prepared for winter driving and travel conditions and are encouraged to call Arizona Highway Information at 888-411-7623 in advance of their trip to check on the status of State Highway 67. Visitors to the area are reminded that State Highway 89A remains open year-round.

The South Rim and inner canyon facilities of Grand Canyon National Park are open year-round. Addition park information can be obtained by calling 928-638-7888 or by visiting the park website at www.nps.gov/grca.