Grand Canyon North Rim

02/07/2026

Shout out to the GCNP trail crew for their excellent work! (From the NPS Grand Canyon Weekly Report)

North Kaibab Trail Crew Tackles Critical Work in “The Box”

In recent weeks, the NPS Trail Crew has been completing critical infrastructure repairs along the North Kaibab Trail north of Phantom Ranch in an area known as "The Box." This effort has focused on much-needed bridge maintenance to support safe and reliable access through this section of the corridor ahead of its March 4, 2026 reopening.

Work has included replacing bridge decking and handrails, stabilizing abutments, and repairing and rehabilitating mortar stone retention walls. Crews have concentrated their efforts on maintenance of three foot bridges and replacement of running boards on the Black Bridge. (A more extensive rehabilitation of the Black Bridge is planned with contractors next year.)

In addition to bridge work, the Trail Crew has been clearing rockslides and protecting exposed water lines as they move through the corridor. This week, the crew successfully removed a rockslide that had made the trail impassable to mules. As a result, Grand Canyon Packers are once again able to access the North Kaibab Trail and provide pack support as far as the 4th Box Bridge.

Thank you to the Trail Crew for their hard work in support of safe trails and essential inner canyon operations!

01/28/2026

Good news!

News Release — Grand Canyon National Park plans adaptive reopening of North Rim in summer 2026

Grand Canyon National Park is preparing an adaptive approach for the seasonal reopening of the North Rim, evaluating potential impacts from winter weather to park infrastructure after the Dragon Bravo Fire. The park aims to open popular points of interest, including the North Kaibab Trail, on May 15, weather and conditions permitting.

Park officials emphasize that the guiding principle for the upcoming season is: “We will open what we can, where we can, when we can.” This approach prioritizes visitor safety, resource protection, and operational readiness. Park officials are aware of the challenges of local communities, businesses and our visitors in planning for the 2026 season and are committed to providing specific details about the 2026 North Rim season no later than April 1, 2026.

While the North Kaibab Trail and Arizona Trail typically remain open to visitors year-round, they are subject to closures due to snow, ice, fire-related damage, or necessary infrastructure repairs. Currently, the North Kaibab Trail and portions of the Arizona Trail within the park are closed due to public safety concerns following the Dragon Bravo fire. The park is actively evaluating trail conditions and infrastructure throughout the winter to determine the feasibility of reopening these routes by May 15, 2026.

Full news release here: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-reopening-2026.htm

NPS Photo/T.Hopp
A herd of bison along Hwy. 67 on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Nov. 2025

09/21/2025

The next time you are headed to the North Rim, stop at the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center in Jacob Lake and checkout the new Condor exhibit.

09/09/2025

The NR campground survived the fire with minor damage, mostly to the sites along the rim of Transept Canyon. The issue is the infrastructure for water, sewer, and electrical lines had major damage.

09/04/2025

How’s the wildlife doing on the North Rim? This question is asked a lot. Here’s some recent photos and reports. Spotted a Kaibab squirrel next to the fire station, a nice buck at the tree line, and many reports of bison near Swamp Point, Point Sublime area, and even near the Kaibab Lodge. There are a lot of bow hunters on the plateau searching for trophy mule deer. Much of the Kaibab Forest is still closed.

09/01/2025

Here are some recent views of the campground area of GCNP on the NR. The gas station, laundry/showers, x-frame cabins, camp store, most campsites, and campground kiosk were spared. There is much devastation on the NR but some areas avoided serious damage.

08/30/2025

Current conditions at the North Kaibab Trailhead. It’s good to see that the trailhead and parking lot are in good shape.

08/21/2025

NPS Trail Reopenings Update - Aug 20, 2025

SUMMARY

* As of today, hikers can now do "SK-Tonto-BA" (~13.5 miles) loop again (in either direction)

* Hikers can now go all the way down BA to the Colorado River and back up again

* Hikers, backpackers and Ranch guests will be able to access Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground again, starting on November 1, 2025

* Hikers will be able to access the River Trail again on November 1, 2025 and link up with SK trail that way (the Silver Bridge will reopen on November 27, 2025)

* NK trail and Hwy 67 on the North Rim remain closed for the foreseeable future to allow for clean up and repair (no reopening date has been set yet, but the NPS anticipates a reopening as soon as it is deemed "safe")

SK = South Kaibab Trail (South Rim side)
NK = North Kaibab Trail (North Rim side)
Tonto = Tonto Trail (South Rim side)

COMMENTARY

Public access to Grand Canyon Corridor trails has been expanded, which is a good thing. Linking Tonto east and Tonto west again allows for more itinerary options and flexibility in start and end points and times.

It appears that the delay for reopening Phantom Ranch and BAC is not because of 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire smoke or air quality concerns, but to install and test an upgraded flood monitoring system in response to anticipated heightened flash flood risk as result of ecological damage caused by the Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim Kaibab Plateau. Both areas are located in a narrow canyon and flood zone, and experienced a catastrophic flood back in 1966.

It sounds like Highway 67, North Kaibab trailhead and North Kaibab trail on the North Rim will be reopened as soon as necessary clean up and repairs have been completed. When reopening will happen likely depends on the extent of the damage. With minimal damage the NPS may decide to reopen within the next few months; with significant damage it may be in 2026, but preliminary anecdotal reports indicate that no major or catastrophic damage has been sustained.

Note that reopening North Kaibab trail is not contingent upon the rebuilding of the North Rim Lodge, or any other burned down infrastructure not directly located at or near North Kaibab trailhead. Furthermore, flash flood risk is a much more serious concern for permanent infrastructure like Cottonwood Campground, Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground, and people who would be staying there overnight.

For day hikers, after trail reopening the NPS could always close the NK trail again for a short period of time in case of a severe storm threat that could result in flash flooding, and then reopen it as soon as the threat is gone. Therefore, if damage to North Kaibab trail can be repaired prior to November 1, the NPS may decide to reopen the trail sooner, or it may decide to wait until the Phantom Ranch flood monitoring system has been installed, and open it concurrently. If repair work extends beyond November 1, hopefully the NPS will provide an update of the anticipated reopening date as soon as that can be set.

NPS NEWS RELEASE

"Sections of key South Rim corridor trails have reopened following the Dragon Bravo Fire:

* South Kaibab Trail: Trailhead → Tipoff
* Tonto Trail: Tipoff → Havasupai Gardens
* Bright Angel Trail: Trailhead → Pipe Creek Resthouse

These reopenings follow improved air quality in the inner canyon. New air quality monitors are now providing live data for visitors and staff: PurpleAir Map.

Still Closed:
River Trail (until Nov. 1, 2025)
Silver Bridge (until Nov. 27, 2025)
North Kaibab Trail + Hwy 67 (closed for foreseeable future due to fire impacts)

Looking Ahead: Phantom Ranch + Bright Angel Campground are tentatively expected to reopen Nov. 1, 2025, with enhanced safety measures, including new flood detection systems and evacuation planning. Dates may shift based on ongoing work."

https://www.facebook.com/GrandCanyonNationalPark/posts/pfbid0DhurA23aFxsEL9CNVECABcq7SX2FZ4C5RQNmT2vk7uqJKwdPRzCcknmSMPoDy9krl

"The River Trail from Pipe Creek to the South Kaibab Trail junction remains closed through October 31, 2025, due to ongoing construction on the Transcanyon Waterline Project. This segment is expected to reopen on November 1, 2025. The Silver Bridge will remain closed through November 26, 2025.

On November 1, 2025, Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground are tentatively expected to reopen to the public. Prior to reopening, the park is implementing enhanced safety measures, including new flood detection and warning systems, evacuation planning, and visitor information, to reduce risks from post-fire flash flooding in the Bright Angel Creek watershed and provide improved safety for overnight guests. These dates are subject to change based on work completion status and mitigation measures.

The North Kaibab Trail remains closed for the foreseeable future due to post-fire impacts. Extensive maintenance is required to address rockslides and make necessary structural modifications before it can safely reopen. Highway 67 to the North Rim will also remain closed for the foreseeable future due to impacts from the Dragon Bravo Fire. The safety of visitors and staff conducting this work remains the park’s highest priority.

Grand Canyon National Park thanks the public for their patience and understanding as staff continue to mitigate safety risks from the Dragon Bravo Fire and work to restore access to corridor hiking trails on the South Rim. The park remains committed to reopening closed areas as soon as they are determined to be safe, and encourages the public to stay informed through future park updates."

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08/19/2025

Finally, above average monsoon weather coming to the Grand Canyon region this summer!

https://www.facebook.com/MattJohnsonKSLWx/posts/pfbid0KmnXFJt7wqCQFdCdv6MJFvoYfPsq9ohCtuWfWLsJG7oH9iVHMmqCXPw4Pi4ywBcUl

MIRACLE MONSOON? I've been thumbing through the long range models this morning and like what I'm seeing. 3 out of 4 long range model ensembles are showing monsoonal flow late this weekend into next week. It's a ways away, but this is one of our best signals yet this summer. Let's hope this pattern holds, and maybe even strengthens!

08/18/2025

North Rim Dragon Bravo Fire pretty much under control, plus trail reopenings in Kaibab National Forest - update August 18, 2025

Fire crews on the Dragon Bravo fire have shifted efforts from full fire suppression towards "mop up" and "suppression repair", working to restore unburned areas that were disturbed by dozer lines and mitigation efforts, back to a more natural state.

Secondly, the Forest Service has reduced closures to areas affected by the White Sage fire, which increases public access. Great progress!

While hotter drier weather is expected the first part of the week, monsoons and higher relative humidity is returning later in the week and into next week, further assisting with the end of the DB fire and extinguishing any remaining smoke and unhealthy levels of air quality. Elevated flash flood danger will remain a long term concern on the Kaibab Plateau and for the drainages below the Rim.

https://www.facebook.com/2025dragonbravo/posts/pfbid0JEfpsw22PxusuXdf2qn9RVJ1NBc186kskafjrVQr68mncffTGcZo9kjqinvWbENZl
https://www.facebook.com/2025dragonbravo/posts/pfbid0hvRZBHq4MkiApcHMNmv4JGLkf8tZMzJUyfyDn1311y8fCtDhLYPE62qvtFpec1Dzl

Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/2025dragonbravo
https://app.watchduty.org/i/54142
https://www.nps.gov/grca/northrimstatus.htm