Audio
Backcountry Information Center & How to Obtain a Permit
Transcript
Hello, and welcome to Grand Canyon National Park’s Backcountry Information Center podcast! My name is Ranger Andrea. During this podcast series, rangers from the Grand Canyon Backcountry Information Center will share with you park updates, hiking tips, park regulations and other useful information that will help arm you with the knowledge you need to make the most out of your Grand Canyon hiking adventures. During the next few minutes I would like to orient you to the Backcountry Information Center and the services we provide.
Grand Canyon National Park has two locations where you can obtain the most up-to-date information about backcountry travel within Grand Canyon. The larger of the two facilities is located on the park’s South Rim. This Backcountry Information Center is open seven days a week year round, including holidays. The hours of operation are 8am-noon and 1pm-5pm Mountain Standard Time. Check the center pages of the park newspaper guide online for maps and directions.
The South Rim Backcountry Information Center offers an array of services including backcountry permits, water availability, recommended gear lists, first-hand knowledge of backcountry conditions, and many other tid-bits of information that can help you plan and execute an enjoyable hike. Come see our South Rim Rangers to check availability of backcountry campsites and learn more about Grand Canyon’s challenging but awe-inspiring backcountry.
The second location to obtain backcountry information is at the North Rim Backcountry Information Center, which can be found in the administrative complex on the park’s North Rim. This facility is open between May 15th and October 31st seven days a week from 8am-noon and 1pm-5pm Mountain Standard Time. All of the same services can be obtained here as on the South Rim, so come speak to our North Rim Rangers about opportunities to venture into or along the rim of Grand Canyon from its spectacular north side!
If you wish to speak with a ranger but are not currently at the park, the Backcountry Information Center accepts phone calls Monday through Friday between the hours of 1pm and 5pm Mountain Standard Time. Our phone number is (928) 638-7875. We are happy to take your calls and help you find the information you need to plan your next hike into Grand Canyon. Patience and persistence may be needed during seasons of high call volumes, so understand that you might need to call more than once before you get a live ranger instead of a busy signal. Please be aware that we do not accept requests for backcountry permits over the phone.
An alternative to speaking with a ranger is to email the Backcountry Information Center with any questions you may have. Our email address is grca_bic@nps.gov. You can usually expect a response within 2 business days. This response time may be extended during busy request months or federal holidays.
Please keep in mind that the Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Hiking website has scores of useful information to help you plan any trip into the canyon. Go to www.nps.gov/grca and click on the “Backcountry Hiking” link on the right hand side. This link will take you to pages with permit information, campsite information, current hiking conditions, trail descriptions, hiking preparedness videos, and so much more. Be sure to start your trip planning with our most up-to-date brochures, closure notifications, and seasonal hiking tips.
It is important to note that backcountry permits can be requested at Grand Canyon no earlier than the first of the month four months prior to the month you plan to hike. For example, if you wish to hike in May, one of our most popular hiking months at the canyon, then the earliest you can request a permit is on January 1st. To request a permit during this time, you can fax or mail your request, or deliver your request in person to either the North or South Rim Backcountry Information Centers. We begin accepting faxes at midnight on the first day of the month. No matter your delivery method, your request should be received before 5pm Mountain Standard Time in order to be considered with first priority. All requests received during this timeframe will be randomized by a computer and processed in that random order. Any requests received after 5pm on the first of the appropriate month will be processed in the order in which they were received. The fax number and mailing address for permit requests are found on the official Grand Canyon Backcountry Request form located on our website at www.nps.gov/grca or by asking for one at either of the Backcountry Information Centers. Remember, the most popular months to hike at Grand Canyon include April, May, June, September and October, so be sure to get your requests in as early as we allow.
If you are unable to obtain a permit in advance, the Backcountry Information Center does retain a limited number of campsites at Indian Garden, Bright Angel, and Cottonwood Campgrounds for walkup visitors without an advanced reservation. These permits are given out through a waitlist process which requires hikers to be present at one of the backcountry offices inside the park. It is recommended that you begin participation in the waitlist process at least one day prior to your planned hike at 8am when the Backcountry Information Center opens. Everyone present will be given a number and numbers will be called in order. These last minute permits may be available for limited one or two night itineraries and are released each morning for hikes beginning on the following day. If you are unable to obtain a permit on your first day, you have the option of being given a lower waitlist number for the following day’s waitlist and returning to the Backcountry Information Center the next morning. Your chances of obtaining a last minute permit will depend on site availability, when you arrive at the backcountry office, and how many other people are competing with you for these limited sites.
Whether you are physically at Grand Canyon or wish to contact us by fax, phone, or email, the rangers at Grand Canyon National Park’s Backcountry Information Centers want you to have a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable experience in Grand Canyon’s backcountry. Let us help you gain the knowledge you need for a successful hike, and we look forward to seeing or talking with you soon!
Description
All you need to know about Grand Canyon's Backcountry Information Center and how to obtain a backcountry permit.
Duration
7 minutes, 10 seconds
Credit
Andrea Tavegia
Date Created
06/12/2013
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