NPS/L. Katz 
NPS File Why protect the Grand Canyon?Grand Canyon National Park is a treasure of unparalleled natural and cultural significance. Its mile-deep canyon, carved by water and wind, showcases spectacular geological features like buttes, temples, and spires. The park's diverse ecosystems support about 1,500 plant species and a rich variety of wildlife, including endangered species. With some of the nation's cleanest air, natural soundscapes, and darkest skies, it offers visitors pristine experiences and breathtaking views.Culturally, the park preserves 4,704 known archaeological sites based upon a 7.5% inventory of park lands, spanning 12,000 years of human history. It protects sacred sites and areas of spiritual importance to 11 Associated American Indian tribes, as well as historic structures from early exploration and settlement. The Colorado River, numerous springs, and seeps provide vital water resources for both wildlife and humans. This combination of natural beauty, biodiversity, geological wonders, and rich cultural heritage makes Grand Canyon National Park an irreplaceable global treasure worthy of the highest level of protection. Recognizing the need to protect this unique landscape for future generations, efforts to establish wilderness areas within the park began decades ago. Wilderness at Grand Canyon: A Long and Complex HistoryTo ensure this remarkable landscape and its cultural significance is protected, the park has a long and complex history of wilderness designation efforts. In 1970, a preliminary wilderness study recommended 569,200 acres of the 900,000-acre "Grand Canyon Complex" for wilderness status. This initial plan included the Colorado River (with plans to phase out motorized use) and most of the North Rim, except for specific roads.Numerous revisions to wilderness recommendations have been made since 1970, and currently, there are 1,113,011 acres of proposed and potential wilderness within Grand Canyon National Park (explore more about different categories of wilderness). These areas represent about 94% of the park's total area and do not include frontcountry and developed areas of the South and North Rims, the cross-canyon corridor, road corridors on the North Rim and in the Kanab and Tuweep areas. 
NPS Photo/K. McHugh Does Grand Canyon have designated wilderness?No, Grand Canyon National Park does not have officially designated wilderness, but it manages a significant portion of its land as wilderness in accordance with National Park Service (NPS) policies. The park's approach to wilderness stewardship is based on the NPS 2006 Management Policies, which provide guidance for preserving wilderness character in areas that are proposed or potential wilderness.Since 1988, the park has emphasized wilderness in various strategies, including the Backcountry Management Plan, which established different visitor experiences based on zoning. In 1993, the park updated its wilderness recommendation, increasing immediate designation to 1,109,257 acres due to land status changes and restoration efforts. The 1998 Draft Wilderness Management Plan outlined specific goals for preserving wilderness characteristics. Additionally, the 2006 Colorado River Management Plan regulated motorized launches to protect the river's natural state. Subsequent updates in 2010 further refined management practices and included traditional land uses for Indigenous tribes. Through these efforts, Grand Canyon National Park prioritizes wilderness stewardship while navigating the complexities of land use, resource protection, and the increasing challenges posed by climate change. As rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns reshape the canyon's ecosystems, park managers are adapting their management strategies to protect the canyon's diverse flora, fauna, and unique geological features for future generations.
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Last updated: January 6, 2025