Grand Canyon National Park is moving towards full opening/Rebecca Latson file
During the course of the next week Grand Canyon National Park will reopen its South Rim round-the-clock while the North Rim will open to day use.
On Friday, the South Rim's south entrance will be open every day from 4 a.m. until 2 p.m for day use with limited commercial services. The entrance will close at 2 p.m. and visitors already inside the park can remain for day use access until sunset. The following areas will be open:
- Tuweep will be open for day use access.
- Day hiking on inner canyon trails and existing backcountry permits for hikers camping overnight will be honored. No new overnight camping permits for the inner canyon will be issued.
Beginning June 5, the following areas will be open for visitors every day:
- South Rim's south entrance will be open 24/7, and Mather Campground will open for existing reservations only.
- The North Rim will be open for day use. The campground is closed for construction until July 1.
Beginning June 14, the park will initiate a phased reopening of Colorado River commercial, noncommercial and administrative trips until further notice.
Private, noncommercial river trips with current permits will be authorized to launch, and no new permits will be issued until at least the end of June. Noncommercial river trips including administrative trips should contact the Grand Canyon River Permit Office via email at: [email protected] for details.
Commercial river trips will resume with implemented mitigation measures including modified passenger capacities. Customers should contact the commercial river companies for any potential impact to their trip.
Lodging accommodations on the South and North Rims will begin a phased reopening in June, and visitors should check the reservation sites for their availability.
With public health in mind, the residential areas, east entrance on the South Rim, Desert View Watchtower area, and Desert View Campground will remain closed. A complete list of openings and closures and available services are available on the park's website at: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-national-park-public-health-update.htm.
Grand Canyon has a fire restriction in effect that prohibits building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, including within a developed recreation site or improved site.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
As a reminder, visitors driving on U.S. Route 89 in northern Arizona between Flagstaff and the communities of Cameron and Bodaway will be travelling through the Navajo Nation, which requires face masks to be worn at public facilities and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19. The South Rim's east entrance is accessed by driving on U.S. Route 89, and the entrance remains closed.
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