Jump to the most recent
Critical Backcountry Updates (text and listed by date posted)
Including Trail Closures and Restrictions

Listen to our most recent audiocasts below:
Click once on a player - then on the play button - or you may download the program by clicking on the links below. These audio, (mp3) files, should open in your computer's default media program. iPod/Quicktime users: This podcast is available for free download from the iTunes Music Store: Hiking Grand Canyon Channel

November 2009 Backcountry Conditions Audiocast

November 2009 BIC Early Winter Podcast by Park Ranger Lon Ayers Corridor and Backcountry Updates 10m:13s Download (9.4MB mp3) Transcript (24kb PDF)

Visit Grand Canyon National Park's

Critical Backcountry Updates Page 

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Download Hiking Grand Canyon Audiocast: 20m:42s

A 21 minute mp3 audiocast made from Grand Canyon National Park's Hiking Information Video is available for downloading. You can cut and paste the link below into your media player.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/photosmultimedia/upload/hiking_grand_canyon.mp3

Hiking Grand Canyon: Duration 20m:42s (14.5 MB mp3 File) Direct Download Link

Hiking in the Grand Canyon is so demanding that even people in excellent condition often emerge sore and fatigued. Yet small children, senior citizens, and people with physical disabilities have successfully hiked the canyon.

A hike into the Grand Canyon will test your physical and mental endurance. Know and respect your limitations. Moderation is the key to an enjoyable hike. If you wish to camp anywhere in the park, other than in developed campgrounds on the North Rim, South Rim, or Tuweep, you must obtain a permit from the Backcountry Information Center. Backcountry travelers must have their permit in their possession while in the backcountry. Once a camp is established, the permit must be attached to a pack, tent, or other equipment in plain view so it can be easily checked by rangers.

Permits are valid only for the trip leader, itinerary, number of people, and dates specified on the permit. Permits for all overnight backcountry use must be obtained through the Backcountry Information Center at Grand Canyon National Park. For more information, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm

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Average temperatures, weather information, and road conditions can be found on the Weather Conditions page.

For more information about hiking at Grand Canyon Canyon National Park please contact the Backcountry Information Center.

Backcountry Status Updates (listed by date posted):

• Nov 23, 2009 - Temporary Closure of North Kaibab Trail Third Bridge to Stock
• Nov 20, 2009 - Operational Changes to Backcountry Permitting Procedures
  
• Nov 6, 2009 - Hiking Podcast Updated
• Nov 5, 2009 - Early Winter in the Canyon
• Nov 5, 2009 - Trail Conditions
• Nov 5, 2009 - Road Conditions for Remote Trailheads
• Nov 5, 2009 - Hermit Trailhead Access
• Nov 5, 2009 - Drinking Water Outside the Cross-Canyon Corridor
• Oct 27, 2009 - Drinking Water in the Cross-Canyon Corridor
• Oct 19, 2009 - Limited Services Only on North Rim
• Sep 14, 2009 - Nankoweap Trail Rock Slide
• Sep 3, 2009 - 2009 Fall Backpacking Season
• Jun 11, 2009 - South Kaibab Trail Reconstruction
• Apr 20, 2009 - South Kaibab Trailhead Access

Insider's Look Webisode 015: Nov. 6, 2009

Park Ranger Patrick Gamman talks with Volunteer Sjors about caring for the trees at Phantom Ranch.
National Park Service Volunteer Sjors has lived and worked at Phantom Ranch for 20 years and is responsible for watering the vegetation that provides thousands of visitors each year with a cool resting place in the shade. More...

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