News Release

Hiker Fatality near Thunder River Trail in Grand Canyon National Park

The Colorado River near Thunder River Trail

NPS Photo/M. Graden

News Release Date: August 29, 2024

Contact: Grand Canyon Office of Communications

On Tuesday, Aug. 27, at approximately 4 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a solo backpacker who had failed to check in with a family member while attempting the Thunder River Trail-Deer Creek loop.

On Aug. 28, at about 9:45 a.m., National Park Service (NPS) search and rescue personnel, responding via helicopter, located a deceased individual along a route connecting Lower Tapeats Camp and Deer Creek Camp.

The backpacker, a 60-year-old male from North Carolina, was on a solo multi-day backpacking trip from Thunder River to Deer Creek. An investigation into the incident is underway by the NPS in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner.

No additional information is available at this time.

-NPS-