Status of the North Rim

The North Kaibab Trail closure is in effect from the Clear Creek Trail junction (north of Phantom Ranch) to the North Kaibab Trailhead. This closure will remain in effect until further notice.

NPS Photo/N. Mann

 

 

North Rim Status Update — CLOSED for 2025 season

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is now closed to all visitor access for the 2025 season. Seasonal closure began on Friday, November 14.

The North Rim is tentatively expected to reopen for the 2026 season on May 15, pending weather, trail conditions, infrastructure readiness, and completion of hazard-mitigation efforts.

Fire-damaged trees, unstable ground, and unmitigated debris continue to pose significant risks throughout the North Rim and along the North Kaibab Trail. As a result, the North Rim developed area, surrounding zones, select trails—including the North Kaibab Trail—and all North Rim roads will remain fully closed for the winter in accordance with the park’s annual winter closure protocols and area-specific closures related to the Dragon Bravo Fire.

These closures 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.

The full news release announcing the closing of the North Rim for the 2025 season can be viewed here.

 

Trail Status and Current Closures

OPEN CURRENTLY FROM SOUTH RIM as of 11/1/2025:

• South Kaibab Trail from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch.
• Tonto Trail from Tipoff to Havasupai Gardens.
• Bright Angel Trail is open from the Bright Angel Trailhead to River Resthouse.
• Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and North Kaibab Trail from Phantom Ranch to Clear Creek Trail Junction. The North Kaibab Trail north of Clear Creek remains closed due to significant rockfall and safety concerns as a result of the Dragon Bravo Fire.

CLOSED DUE TO SEASONAL CLOSURES AND IMPACTS FROM THE DRAGON BRAVO FIRE:

• North Kaibab Trail north of Clear Creek Trail Junction— Extensive maintenance is required to address rockslides and make necessary structural modifications.
• The Arizona Trail through Grand Canyon National Park (trail assessments are ongoing).
• Widforss Trail
• Transept Trail
• Bridle Path
• Ken Patrick Trail South of Cape Royal Road
• Uncle Jim Loop
• Ken Patrick Trail
• Cape Royal Trail
• Cliff Spring Trail
• Cape Final Trail
• Roosevelt Point Trail

 

North Rim Dragon Bravo Fire Information & Recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the North Rim reopen in 2026?

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is tentatively scheduled to reopen for limited visitor access beginning May 15, 2026. Park staff are currently assessing conditions across the North Rim, including the status of key roads, trails, utilities, and visitor facilities impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire and subsequent stabilization efforts. Specific information about what services, areas, and visitor opportunities will be available in 2026 is still being evaluated and will be shared as soon as planning and safety reviews are complete.

The safety of the public and park employees remains the highest priority. Many parts of the North Rim continue to undergo assessments, debris removal, and repairs to ensure that infrastructure, trail corridors, and developed areas can safely support visitation. Some areas may remain closed for an extended period due to ongoing hazard mitigation, reduced utilities, or continued resource protection work.

The park is committed to reopening areas as soon as they can be safely accessed and to maintaining transparency throughout the recovery process. Visitors are encouraged to check the park website regularly for the most up-to-date operational information, seasonal planning guidance, and any changes to expected opening dates or available services as the 2026 season approaches.

What's the status of the Grand Canyon Lodge?

In fall 2025, following significant damage from the Dragon Bravo Fire, Grand Canyon National Park is continuing emergency stabilization and selective demolition efforts at the North Rim at the Grand Canyon Lodge and adjacent areas. These actions are focused on stabilizing what remains of structures and addressing hazardous materials before winter storms arrive.

The National Park Service completed environmental compliance for this work under a Categorical Exclusion for emergency stabilization, which allows immediate actions in response to wildfires that pose risks to people, property, and cultural resources.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team and structural engineers evaluated the lodge and cabins and recommended selective demolition due to severe fire impacts. The park has been consulting closely with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), whose staff have visited the site and concurred with the need for emergency stabilization and demolition. Work is being completed with cultural resource protections in mind. Crews were directed to stabilize salvageable stone either in situ or on site. Park staff have been advancing stabilization efforts throughout the fall to keep pace with approaching winter weather.

All emergency actions undergo review by Grand Canyon National Park’s Interdisciplinary Team, and the park continues collaborating with other entities such as SHPO and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for ongoing and upcoming work.

Planning for the future of the North Rim Lodge will occur through a separate, full NEPA process, which will include additional analysis and opportunities for public involvement.

Will the North Kaibab Trail be reopened in 2026?

Extensive trail damage and significant rockfall occurred between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Redwall Bridge as a result of the Dragon Bravo Fire and subsequent weather events. At this time, it is too early to determine whether the trail—or portions of it—will be safe to reopen during the 2026 season.

National Park Service trail crews will begin preliminary assessments of the North Kaibab Trail after winter snowmelt, tentatively planned for April 2026. These assessments will help determine the extent of remaining hazards, identify needed repairs, and inform decisions about future access.

The park will provide updates as more information becomes available.

 

The Grand Canyon Lodge pre demolition (October 2025) and post demolition (November 2025). Stabilization work will continue into fall 2025 ahead of winter storms.

NPS Photo

 

Dragon Bravo Fire Timeline

July 4, 2025	The Dragon Bravo Fire was ignited by a lightning strike. The fire was managed initially under a confine and contain suppression strategy.
July 4-10, 2025	A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) managed the fire, and 110 personnel were assigned to the incident for approximately a week. The fire showed low to moderate growth while firefighters improved and fortified containment lines around the fire perimeter.
July 10, 2025	Due to the nearby White Sage Fire threatening Hwy. 67 access, 500 visitors were evacuated from the North Rim. North Rim residents were encouraged to shelter in place.
July 11, 2025	3:30 p.m. : Unpredictable shifting winds caused the fire to breach containment lines and spread rapidly toward critical infrastructure and housing. North Rim NPS and concessions staff were issued a "SET" and subsequent "GO" evacuation order.
July 12, 2025	Aerial damage assessment revealed severe damage and loss of structures in the NPS Administration Area, to include 11 residences, multiple office buildings, vehicles, and water treatment facilities. A chlorine gas leak was reported at the North Rim water treatment plant. Immediate evacuation and closure of Phantom Ranch and the inner canyon corridor was ordered. Between July 12 and 13, the fire expanded by an additional 500 acres reaching the southern end of developed area.
July 13, 2025	Aerial reconnaissance confirmed destruction of the Grand Canyon Lodge, the North Rim Visitor Center, and many historic cabins. Several structures remained intact, including the General Store, Campground, Gas Station, and some cabins and housing.
July 14, 2025	A Complex IMT took over management of the fire response and recovery, remaining in command with ongoing two-week rotations through September 2025.
July 17, 2025	The park requested an immediate assessment of post-fire risks to key values. Initial Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) findings identified no immediate need for emergency treatments for the Roaring Springs water system or aquifer contamination from fire retardant; however, the North Rim water pipeline and water treatment plant were severely damaged.
August 20, 2025	Reopening of inner canyon corridor trails to include the South Kaibab Trail to Tipoff, Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens, and the Tonto Trail between the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails. Phantom Ranch, the River Trail, and the lower South Kaibab remain closed until Nov. 1, 2025.
August 21, 2025	A multi-agency Department of the Interior (DOI) BAER Team began work to assess the impacts of the Dragon Bravo Fire on National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.
August 29, 2025	Arizona Department of Transportation reopens Hwy. 67 from Jacob Lake to the Kaibab Lodge. The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park from mile marker 605 south remains closed.
September 2, 2025	Preliminary post-fire BAER assessment completed and recommendations provided to Grand Canyon National Park management for consideration and future planning efforts.

 

This map is being provided to meet the need for timely best science and on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information. Subject to revision.

USGS

Watershed Impacts from Dragon Bravo Fire

The Dragon Bravo Fire impacted several key North Rim watersheds that drain into the Colorado River, including House Rock Wash, North and South Canyons, Buck Farm Canyon, Nankoweap Creek, Kwagunt Creek, Malgosa, Awatubi, 60-Mile, Clear Creek, Bright Angel Creek (which flows through Phantom Ranch), Crystal Creek, and Tuna Creek. Some of these drainages are more than 13 miles long, and while rain at the top of the rim can take two to four hours to reach the river, flooding near or within the burn scar can happen in a matter of minutes.

Increased risk of flash floods and/or debris flows is expected in these watersheds during monsoons or other storms with heavy precipitation. In steep terrain, runoff can cause flash flooding within minutes of heavy rainfall. It can also trigger debris flows—fast-moving, destructive slides made up of water, ash, mud, rocks, and trees—that are capable of damaging buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, sometimes many miles downstream

Visitors should exercise extreme caution in all affected watersheds during monsoon season, as burned areas are more prone to flash flooding and debris flows.

To sign up for Grand Canyon River emergency alerts, please visit our webpage here.