News Release

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim to Close for the Season on November 14

View from Point Imperial as seen during a winter snowstorm

NPS Photo

News Release Date: November 13, 2025

Contact: Grand Canyon Office of Communications

Grand Canyon National Park will close the North Rim to all visitor access on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 5:20 p.m. Sections of the North Rim are tentatively expected to reopen to visitors for the 2026 season on May 15, pending weather, trail conditions, infrastructure readiness, and completion of hazard mitigation efforts.

The North Rim reopened to visitors with limited access to eastern viewpoints this autumn following an extended closure caused by the Dragon Bravo Fire. The area was tentatively scheduled to remain open through November 30. However, forecasts call for winter weather and snowfall beginning this weekend. These conditions are expected to create unsafe travel and work environments in an area still recovering from post-fire hazards.

Visitor, employee, and responder safety remain the park’s highest priorities. Fire-damaged trees, unstable ground, and unmitigated debris continue to pose risks across the North Rim and along the North Kaibab Trail. As a result, the North Rim developed area, adjacent areas, select trails including the North Kaibab Trail, and all North Rim roads will be fully closed for the winter season in accordance with the park’s annual winter closure protocols and area-specific closures related to the Dragon Bravo Fire. These include restrictions on public entry to fire-affected developed areas and backcountry routes under 36 CFR §1.5(a)(1) and §1.5(a)(2), due to ongoing hazards, road conditions, and limited emergency access.

Violations of these closure orders will be strictly enforced.

The North Kaibab Trail will remain closed until further notice due to damage and rockfalls along the upper section of the trail. Trail assessments are ongoing. Information about current trail conditions and the status of rim-based trails on the North Rim is available at: Status of the North Rim - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
 

-NPS-