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Angels Window with Mt. Humphrey's in the background on March 20, 2026
NPS Photo/M. Forrest
Trail Status and Current Closures
OPEN CURRENTLY:
South Kaibab Trail from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch.
Tonto Trail from Tipoff to Havasupai Gardens.
Bright Angel Trail is open from the Bright Angel Trailhead to the River Resthouse.
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the North Kaibab Trail from Phantom Ranch to Ribbon Falls.
CLOSED DUE TO SEASONAL CLOSURES AND IMPACTS FROM THE DRAGON BRAVO FIRE:
The North Kaibab Trail north of the Ribbon Falls junction to the North Kaibab Trailhead. This section of trail will reopen on May 15, 2026.
The Arizona Trail through Grand Canyon National Park (trail assessments are ongoing).
Widforss Trail
Transept Trail
Bridle Path
Ken Patrick Trail South of Cape Royal Road
Uncle Jim Loop
Ken Patrick Trail
Cape Royal Trail
Cliff Spring Trail
Cape Final Trail
Roosevelt Point Trail
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is scheduled to reopen on May 15, 2026, with phased access and limited services as recovery efforts continue following the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire.
Visitors will be able to experience select scenic drives, viewpoints, and trails; however, the 2026 season will focus primarily on day use and limited backcountry opportunities. Many services and facilities will not be available, and visitors should be prepared for a remote, limited-services environment, including no potable water, fuel, lodging, or other amenities.
The National Park Service is taking a “what we can, where we can, when we can” approach—reopening areas that are safe and feasible while continuing long-term recovery and protecting park resources. Conditions may change throughout the season due to weather, ongoing restoration work, and post-fire hazards such as debris flows, unstable slopes, and hazard trees. Temporary closures may occur as needed to ensure visitor safety.
While the Dragon Bravo Fire significantly impacted the North Rim, it also plays a natural role in the ecosystem. Visitors in 2026 will have a unique opportunity to witness landscape recovery, new growth, and forest resilience firsthand.
Yes.
The North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to the Ribbon Falls junction will reopen May 15 for foot traffic only; stock use is suspended for the season. Trail maintenance and rehabilitation work will continue along the North Kaibab Trail throughout the 2026 season. Hikers should anticipate temporary trail closures or delays while crews continue to repair the trail. Post-fire hazards and weather events may also result in additional closures.
Parking at the North Kaibab Trailhead will be limited and is restricted to vehicles under 22 feet in length. Overflow parking will be available in the area adjacent to the site of the former Grand Canyon Lodge. The Bridle Path between the former Grand Canyon Lodge and the North Kaibab Trail will be open.
Services on the North Rim in 2026 will be limited as the park continues recovery efforts following the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire. The 2026 season will focus primarily on day use and limited backcountry opportunities, with access to select scenic drives, viewpoints, and trails.
Visitors should be prepared for a remote, limited-services environment, with no potable water, fuel, lodging, or other visitor services available on the North Rim in 2026. Emergency response capabilities may also be limited, and visitors are expected to be self-sufficient and plan ahead.
The National Park Service is taking a phased approach to restoring services—bringing back what is safe and feasible while prioritizing visitor safety, resource protection, and long-term recovery. Services and facilities are expected to gradually return in future seasons (2027–2028 and beyond) as infrastructure is repaired and conditions allow.
Ignited July 4, 2025, the fire burned across the Kaibab Plateau in a mostly low- to moderate-severity mosaic that supports natural ecological recovery across much of the landscape, while also causing significant losses to infrastructure and temporary impacts to recreation access. The BAER team evaluated post-fire risks to natural and cultural resources, water systems, wildlife habitat, and visitor safety, and identified emergency stabilization and rehabilitation actions to protect park values and support recovery. Read the full executive summary to explore post-fire conditions, resource impacts, and response actions park staff are taking in 2026 and beyond.
In fall 2025, following significant damage from the Dragon Bravo Fire, Grand Canyon National Park conducted emergency stabilization and selective demolition efforts at the North Rim at the Grand Canyon Lodge and adjacent areas. These actions focused on stabilizing what remains of structures and addressing hazardous materials prior to winter storm arrival. An article outlining highlighting this work can be found here: Grand Canyon Lodge Demolition and Stabilization — Fall 2025.
The National Park Service completed environmental compliance for this work under a Categorical Exclusion for emergency stabilization, which allows immediate actions in response to wildfires that pose risks to people, property, and cultural resources.
A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team and structural engineers evaluated the lodge and cabins and recommended selective demolition due to severe fire impacts. The park has been consulting closely with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), whose staff have visited the site and concurred with the need for emergency stabilization and demolition. Work is being completed with cultural resource protections in mind. Crews were directed to stabilize salvageable stone either in situ or on site. Park staff have been advancing stabilization efforts throughout the fall to keep pace with approaching winter weather.
All emergency actions undergo review by Grand Canyon National Park’s Interdisciplinary Team, and the park continues collaborating with other entities such as SHPO and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for ongoing and upcoming work.
Planning for the future of the North Rim Lodge will occur through a separate, full NEPA process, which will include additional analysis and opportunities for public involvement.
In September 2025, a professional conservator completed a preliminary evaluation of Brighty following the damage sustained during the Dragon-Bravo Fire at Grand Canyon Lodge.
Brighty is currently being carefully stored at the Grand Canyon Museum Collection facility. Grand Canyon National Park and our nonprofit partner, Grand Canyon Conservancy, are actively discussing next steps regarding conservation treatment and potential restoration options.
We appreciate the public's enthusiasm and support for Brighty and will share updates as plans move forward.
The Grand Canyon Lodge pre demolition (October 2025) and post demolition (November 2025). Stabilization work will continue into fall 2025 ahead of winter storms.
NPS Photo
Dragon Bravo Fire Timeline
July 4, 2025
The Dragon Bravo Fire was ignited by a lightning strike. The fire was managed initially under a confine and contain suppression strategy.
July 4-10, 2025
A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) managed the fire, and 110 personnel were assigned to the incident for approximately a week. The fire showed low to moderate growth while firefighters improved and fortified containment lines around the fire perimeter.
July 10, 2025
Due to the nearby White Sage Fire threatening Hwy. 67 access, 500 visitors were evacuated from the North Rim. North Rim residents were encouraged to shelter in place.
July 11, 2025
3:30 p.m. : Unpredictable shifting winds caused the fire to breach containment lines and spread rapidly toward critical infrastructure and housing.
North Rim NPS and concessions staff were issued a "SET" and subsequent "GO" evacuation order.
July 12, 2025
Aerial damage assessment revealed severe damage and loss of structures in the NPS Administration Area, to include 11 residences, multiple office buildings, vehicles, and water treatment facilities.
A chlorine gas leak was reported at the North Rim water treatment plant. Immediate evacuation and closure of Phantom Ranch and the inner canyon corridor was ordered.
Between July 12 and 13, the fire expanded by an additional 500 acres reaching the southern end of developed area.
July 13, 2025
Aerial reconnaissance confirmed destruction of the Grand Canyon Lodge, the North Rim Visitor Center, and many historic cabins. Several structures remained intact, including the General Store, Campground, Gas Station, and some cabins and housing.
July 14, 2025
A Complex IMT took over management of the fire response and recovery, remaining in command with ongoing two-week rotations through September 2025.
July 17, 2025
The park requested an immediate assessment of post-fire risks to key values. Initial Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) findings identified no immediate need for emergency treatments for the Roaring Springs water system or aquifer contamination from fire retardant; however, the North Rim water pipeline and water treatment plant were severely damaged.
August 20, 2025
Reopening of inner canyon corridor trails to include the South Kaibab Trail to Tipoff, Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens, and the Tonto Trail between the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails. Phantom Ranch, the River Trail, and the lower South Kaibab remain closed until Nov. 1, 2025.
August 21, 2025
A multi-agency Department of the Interior (DOI) BAER Team began work to assess the impacts of the Dragon Bravo Fire on National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.
August 29, 2025
Arizona Department of Transportation reopens Hwy. 67 from Jacob Lake to the Kaibab Lodge. The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park from mile marker 605 south remains closed.
September 2, 2025
Preliminary post-fire BAER assessment completed and recommendations provided to Grand Canyon National Park management for consideration and future planning efforts. The executive summary of the BAER assessment can be found here.
Oct. 1-Nov. 14, 2025
Park staff reopened key areas for visitor access including the Cape Royal Road, Point Imperial, and the Hwy. 67 corridor. Winter weather constraints led to an early seasonal closure.
This map is being provided to meet the need for timely best science and on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information. Subject to revision.
USGS
Watershed Impacts from Dragon Bravo Fire
The Dragon Bravo Fire impacted several key North Rim watersheds that drain into the Colorado River, including House Rock Wash, North and South Canyons, Buck Farm Canyon, Nankoweap Creek, Kwagunt Creek, Malgosa, Awatubi, 60-Mile, Clear Creek, Bright Angel Creek (which flows through Phantom Ranch), Crystal Creek, and Tuna Creek. Some of these drainages are more than 13 miles long, and while rain at the top of the rim can take two to four hours to reach the river, flooding near or within the burn scar can happen in a matter of minutes.
Increased risk of flash floods and/or debris flows is expected in these watersheds during monsoons or other storms with heavy precipitation. In steep terrain, runoff can cause flash flooding within minutes of heavy rainfall. It can also trigger debris flows—fast-moving, destructive slides made up of water, ash, mud, rocks, and trees—that are capable of damaging buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, sometimes many miles downstream
Visitors should exercise extreme caution in all affected watersheds during monsoon season, as burned areas are more prone to flash flooding and debris flows.
