More about off-season visits to the North Rim
Highway 67 into the North Rim remains open to public travel through November 27, but Highway 67 may close for the season on short notice due to major storms and heavy snowfall. Check the Arizona Department of Transportation Road Conditions and Closures Map for the latest update. (www.az511.com/hcrsweb/hcrsweb.jsp)
Most visitor services and facilities closed for the 2011 season on Saturday, October 15, 2011.
Self service gas and diesel fuel will continue to be available in the park through November 27, or until Highway 67 closes.
The National Park Service's North Rim Visitor Center and Bookstore as well as the Backcountry Information and Permits Office will remain open through November 27. From October 16 until closure, operating hours will be 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Starting October 16, 2011, campsites with limited services, such as portable toilets, will be available for a $12 fee on a first-come, first-served basis. Water will only be available outside the National Park Service administrative office. Entrance fees and campground fees will be collected through the end of the day on November 27 or until snow closes Highway 67.
Once the Arizona Department of Transportation closes Highway 67 south of Jacob Lake to vehicle traffic for the winter season, the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park also closes to vehicle traffic.
The gate at Jacob Lake is closed and locked and the gate at the North Rim entrance station is closed and locked. The National Park Service does not unlock the entrance station gate for public vehicle access until North Rim visitor facilities open up for the season in mid-May.
During the winter period when the North Rim entrance station gate is closed, the only public access into the national park is on foot, skies, or snowshoes. Snowmobiles are not allowed inside Grand Canyon National Park. Hikers and cross-country skiers are permitted to use the park's group campsites throughout the winter months if they have obtained a permit through the park's Backcountry Information Center.