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The full Hunter's Moon rising over Grand Canyon as seen from Powell point in the South Rim. Tuesday, October 19, 2021. NPS Photo/M. Quinn
Park Operations Update — Thursday, October 21, 2021
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, public health measures are in place including capacity limits, temporary closures, and modified operations. For a listing of what is open, and what is closed in Grand Canyon National Park, scroll down this page.
As of Aug.16, 2021, wearing a face mask/covering is required for everyone:
Inside all park buildings. Regardless of vaccination status.
When boarding and inside park shuttle buses. This is a federal mandate that applies to vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals on all public transit.
In addition, wearing a face mask/covering is now required for everyone:
In outdoors spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as narrow or busy trails and overlooks.
In outdoor mask zones designated by the park superintendent.
Please be on the lookout for posted signs indicating where mask zones are located
Desert View East Entrance is Open:The East Entrance to the park at Desert View is open.Credit cards, Recreation.gov, Your Pass Now, and America the Beautiful passes are accepted for entry. Cash is not accepted at this time. More >
Entrances Fees:Entrance Fees are paid at the entrance stations, or by purchasing a pass in advance from nearby third-party vendors, or online, throughRecreation.gov, or YourPassNow.
Visiting for the day in an RV, or pulling a trailer? On the South Rim there are 3 designated parking lots for RVs. Details >
Hermit Road:The 7.5 mile (12 km) scenic Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles between March 1 and November 30, 2021. The Hermit Road (Red Route) shuttle bus is in service. Hermit Road is also open to foot and bicycle traffic.
The North Rim will begin the transition to day-use operations on Saturday, October 16, 2021. More >
Car/RV Campgrounds and Rim Trails:
Mather Campground in Grand Canyon Village is open for the 2021 season. (no hook-ups). Reservations are recommended and may be made up to 6 months in advance. More >
Trailer Village RV Campground is open for the season and has full hook-ups.More >
Desert View Campgroundhas closed for the 2021 season. Due to high demand, this campground now requires advanced reservations. You may book reservations up to 6 months in advance for the 2022 season that begins April 17. More > (no hook-ups).
North Rim Campground is open through October 31, 2021. More >
Day Hiking: Canyon trails are open for day hiking.
Water Availability: Pipeline breaks are common, and Grand Canyon National Park recommends that hikers and runners be prepared to filter or disinfect creek water along corridor trails. Effective Monday, October 11, 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) started shutting off water to the upper Bright Angel and North Kaibab Trails.. Visit Backcountry Updates >
Backcountry Permits:Requests for overnight backcountry permits are being considered, and most permits are issued well in advance. More >
The Backcountry Information Center has reopened. Hours of operation are the same as they were before the closure, 8 am – noon; and 1 – 5 pm. COVID safety protocols are in place..
Bright Angel Campground is at half capacity: The sewage treatment plant located at the bottom of the canyon is a critical piece of infrastructure that for years has allowed over 200 people nightly to stay at Bright Angel Campground and the Phantom Ranch Lodge. To ensure state environmental quality standards continue to be met, dramatic reductions in overnight use are necessary until new equipment can be purchased and installed. Hikers should expect longer than normal wait times to obtain a permit at the park.
Tribal Lands: Restrictions exist on both the Navajo and Havasupai reservations. Currently, neither the South Bass Trailhead nor rim camps in the Pasture Wash area can be accessed by vehicle.
Hikers' Express shuttle bus
The Hikers' Express Bus is an early morning bus from Grand Canyon Village to the South Kaibab Trailhead. During October, the bus leaves Bright Angel Lodge at 6, 7, and 8 am.
Then, the bus makes stops at the Backcountry Information Center and the Visitor Center Shuttle Terminal on the way the South Kaibab Trailhead. Masks are required to ride the bus. Details >
TheKaibab Rim (Orange) Routeeastbound shuttle provides direct service between the Visitor Center Bus Terminal and South Kaibab Trailhead. It is in operation from 5 am until 1 hour after sunset. Masks are required.
CDC guidelines and physical distancing measures are in place. Face coverings are required to enter these buildings.
South Rim Visitor Center and Theater Building - CLOSED Information table outside is staffed by rangers: 8 am - 5 pm daily
Grand Canyon Conservancy'sPark Store8 am to 6 pm daily
(across the plaza from the Visitor Center)
Park Headquarters Information Desk - CLOSED
Backcountry Information Center (BIC): 8 am – noon; and 1 pm – 5 pm.
Yavapai Geology Museum:8 am to 6 pm daily
Verkamps Visitor Center: 8 am to 6 pm daily
Kolb Studio:8 am to 6 pm daily
Desert View Watchtower Retail Store (Kiva Room) 9 am to 5 pm daily.
Only the ground level retail store is open to the public. The tower itself remains closed until further notice.
Check bulletin boards and signs for available Park Ranger programs in Grand Canyon Village, Desert View and on the North Rim.
Shuttle Bus Routes in Operation
Village (Blue) Route shuttle connects the Visitor Center Plaza with lodges, campgrounds, the Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (market, bank, and post office) Masks are required on the bus.
The Hikers' Express Shuttle is an early morning bus that transports visitors between the village and South Kaibab Trailhead.
The Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route begins service at 5 am each day. Buses arrive at designated stops every 15-30 minutes. The Kaibab (Orange) Route shuttle runs until one hour after sunset, with service from the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal to South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, Pipe Creek Overlook, Mather Point and Yavapai Geology Museum. Masks are required on the bus.
The Hermit Road (Red Route) begins service at 5 am each day. Buses arrive at designated stops every 15-30 minutes. The Hermit Road Route runs until one hour after sunset. Masks are required on the bus.
The Visitor Center Plaza to Hermit Road Express Bus. CLOSED. Service has ended for the 2021 Season.
Tusayan (Purple Route) CLOSED Throughout 2021
The Tusayan Route with service between Grand Canyon Visitor Center and the gateway community of Tusayan is not in operation.
El Tovar Hotel Lodging - Restaurant (B 7-10:30 am) (L 11:00 am - 3 pm) (D 4:30-9 pm) Advanced reservations are required for lunch and dinner at the El Tovar Dining Room. Online reservations can be made here >
The Fred Harvey Food Truck will be located at the El Tovar / Hopi House area from 11:30 am – 3;30 pm. Seven days per week, weather permitting.
Bright Angel Lodge: Lodging Bright Angel Fountain — Coffee House:7 am to 11 am daily Bright Angel Fountain — Grab & Go:11 am to 6 pm daily Bright Angel — Fred Harvey Tavern: 11 am to 9 pm daily Bright Angel — Fred Harvey Burger:11 am to 3 pm daily Bright Angel: Arizona Steak House: CLOSED
Thunderbird LodgeLodging only
Kachina Lodge Lodging only
Maswik Lodge Front Desk: 7 am to 11 pm daily Maswik Lodge Gift Shop: 8 am - 9 pm daily (Coffee) Maswik Lodge Food Court and Grab & Go: 6:30 am - 8 pm daily Maswik Lodge Pizza Pub: CLOSED
Taxi Service: (24 hours) 928-638-2631
Between South Kaibab Trailhead and Village
Between Village and Tusayan/ Airport Not serving Hermit Road at this time
Guided Bus Tours - Take the time to learn some of the captivating history and geology of this timeless location. All In-Park tours feature a trained driver-guide, who will provide an informative narrative throughout your tour of the park. Details >
South Rim Kennel - Open Friday through Monday, 7:30 am — 5 pm.
Overnight boarding is available Friday through Sunday nights only. Details >
Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio: 12 pm to 9 pm daily
Yavapai Lodge Gift Shop: 8 am to 8 pm daily
Yavapai Lodge Restaurant - CLOSED
Canyon Village Market and General Store: 7 am to 8 pm daily
Canyon Village Market Deli: 7 am to 2 pm daily
Trailer Village RV Park: open daily
The RV and Camper Services building:laundry and showers
8 am to 4 pm daily. Last laundry load: 2:30 pm — Last shower: 3:45 pm
User names are logged for contact tracing purposes.
North Country Healthcare(1 Clinic Road) Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, the Clinic is open:
Monday through Friday: 8 am. to 5 pm.
Pharmacy:
Monday – Friday 8 am. to 5 pm.
Closed 12 pm. to 1 pm.
Please call ahead at 928-638-2551 to schedule an appointment (no walk-ins are available). If you have a scheduled appointment please wear a face mask anytime you enter the clinic. If you do not have a face mask, one can be provided to you.
Some Desert View Facilities Are Open
The East Entrance to the park at Desert View is open. For detailed information about the facilities and services that are open: Visit this link >
The Desert View Campground has closed for the season.
For information about touring 23 mile (37 km) scenic Desert View Drive in your vehicle:Visit this link >
The North Rim is open for dawn-to-dusk day use.
Grand Canyon Lodge has closed for the winter.
The North Rim Campground is open through October 31.
What you need to know about visiting the North Rim from October 16 through November 30. More >
The North Rim closes for the winter on December 1, or with the first major snowfall.
Update: Phased Reopening of Colorado River Rafting Trips
Grand Canyon National Park’s COVID-19 Mitigation Phase for River Use moved from “Medium” to “Light” restriction level on April 1, 2021. The “Light” restriction level allows 100% river use while continuing key COVID-19 Safety Mitigation requirements. (details at https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/COVID-19_River_Update.pdf)
Refund and Rescheduling Information:
Mather campground reservations can be refunded on Recreation.gov.
Backcountry Permits information about rescheduling backcountry campground reservations can be obtained by e-mailing grca_bic@nps.gov.
Protecting Visitors, Employees, and Partners During a Pandemic:
As of August 16, 2021 — The National Park Service (NPS) is immediately requiring visitors, employees and contractors to wear a mask inside all NPS buildings and in crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status or community transmission levels.
“Visitors to national parks are coming from locations across the country, if not across the world. Because of this, and recognizing that the majority of the United States is currently in substantial or high transmission categories, we are implementing a service-wide mask requirement to ensure our staff and visitors’ safety,” said NPS Deputy Director Shawn Benge.
This requirement will be in effect until further notice and applies to all NPS buildings and public transportation systems. It also applies to outdoors spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as narrow or busy trails and overlooks.
Masks Must Cover the Nose and Mouth
and fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face. Masks not designed to be protective, masks with ventilation valves, and face shields do not meet the requirement.
Mather Point, Hopi Point, Bright Angel Point, Cape Royal, and Point Imperial, including their access trails
Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza and trails north to the rim as signed
Desert View north of the parking lot as signed
Trails and viewpoints around the North Rim Lodge and North Rim Visitor Center as signed
North Kaibab trailhead and parking lot
Rim Trail from Verkamps to Bright Angel Trailhead
All bus stops
All entrance stations
Navajo Nation Covid-19 Updates
When traveling through the Navajo Nation:
Wearing a mask is still mandatory in public on the Navajo Nation, whether a person is vaccinated or unvaccinated.
Navajo Tribal Parksare open and welcome visitors at 50 percent capacity. For more information about Navajo Tribal Parks, call: 928-871-6647 or visit www.navajonationparks.org
Public Health Preparation and Response
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Grand Canyon National Park, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The neighboring Havasupai reservation remains closed for tourism, and details for operational updates can be found on their website.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
