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Location: Hermit Road Interchange. Visitors are waiting to board the Visitor Center Plaza to Hermit Road Express Bus for the return trip back to the Plaza. NPS/5/29/2021
Park Operations Update - Thursday, July 15, 2021
For a listing of what is open, and what is closed in Grand Canyon National Park, scroll down this page.
Grand Canyon National Park is under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions > All wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques are prohibited. NO SMOKING outdoors.except within an enclosed vehicle. Using explosives or any incendiary device; or fireworks are always prohibited.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, public health measures are in place including capacity limits, temporary closures, and modified operations.
Wearing a face mask/covering is required for everyone:
When boarding and inside park shuttle buses.
If you are not fully vaccinated, wearing a face mask/covering is required:
Inside, in any shared space.
Outside if you cannot physically distance by maintaining a minimum of 6 feet/2 meters from those outside your household.
South Rim: Summer Season Tips
Roads, Entrance Fees, and Closures:
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.
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 Campground is open for the season. (no hook-ups). Due to high demand, Desert View Campground now requires advanced reservations. You may book reservations up to 6 months in advance. Same Day Reservations may also be made online or by phone. More >
Trailer Village RV Campground is open for the season and has full hook-ups.More >
North Rim Campground is open for the 2021 season. More>
Backcountry Updates:
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. Corridor Trail water has been turned on for the season. More 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
Before July 17, 2021, the Hikers' Express Bus runs directly from the Backcountry Office to the South Kaibab Trailhead. No other stops are made along the Hikers' Express Route. June, July and August: 4, 5, and 6 am. Masks are required to ride the bus. Service changes July 17. Details >
Kaibab Rim shuttle:
TheKaibab Rim (Orange Route Eastbound)shuttle bus with service between the Visitor Center and South Kaibab Trailhead is in operation from 4 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 Store9 am to 7 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:9 am to 7 pm daily
Verkamps Visitor Center: 9 am to 7 pm daily
Kolb Studio:9 am to 7 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
The Hikers' Express Shuttle runs at 4, 5, and 6 am during June, July and August. Note: the Hikers' Express shuttle runs directly from the Backcountry Office to the South Kaibab Trailhead. No other stops are made along the Hikers' Express Route. Masks are required.
The Eastbound Kaibab Rim (Orange Route) begins service at 4 am each day. Buses arrive at designated stops every 15-30 minutes. The Eastbound Kaibab (Orange Route) shuttle runs until one hour after sunset, with service to South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, and Pipe Creek Overlook. Masks are required. Note: the Kaibab Rim Route, Westbound to Yavapai Geology Museum, will resume on Saturday, July 17, 2021..
The Hermit Road (Red Route) begins service at 4 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.
The Village (Blue Route)Closed through July 16, 2021
The Village Route is not in operation before July 16. That means there is no shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Village. If you walk along the Rim Trail between the Visitor Center and the Village, you will need to walk back to your starting point. Village (Blue) Route shuttle service resumes on Saturday, July 17, 2021.
Westbound Kaibab Rim (Orange Route)CLOSED through July 16, 2021.
The westbound portion of the Orange Route between the Visitor Center and Yavapai Geology Museum is not in operation. If you walk along the Rim Trail between the Visitor Center and Yavapai Geology Museum, you will need to walk back to your starting point. Service resumes on July 17, 2021
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 am – 4 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: Arizona Steak House: CLOSED
Bright Angel: Fred Harvey Burger: 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
Bus Tours - SUSPENDED
South Rim Kennel - Open Friday through Monday, 7:30 am — 5 pm.
Overnight boarding is available Friday through Sunday nights only. Details >
Grand Canyon Clinic (North Country Healthcare, 1 Clinic Road) The Clinic is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily. Please call ahead at 928-638-2551 to schedule an appointment (no walk-ins 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.
Most 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 >
For information about touring 23 mile (37 km) scenic Desert View Drive in your vehicle:Visit this link >
The North Rim is Open for the Season
What you need to know about visiting the North Rim (May 15, through October 15, 2021)More >
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.
COVID-19 confirmed cases in Arizona: 899,829 — Deaths: 18,009
Following guidance from the White House, Centers f6or Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Grand Canyon National Park is closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and is using a phased approach to maintain and increase access.
Covid-19 Precautions
Protecting Visitors, Employees, and Partners During a Pandemic:
Wearing a face mask/covering is required inside Grand Canyon National Park, if you are not fully vaccinated:
Inside, in any shared space.
Outside if you cannot physically distance by maintaining a minimum of 6 feet/2 meters from those outside your household.
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.
As of Thursday, July 8, 2021, the Navajo Department of Health will allow Navajo Tribal Parksto reopen and welcome visitors at 50 percent capacity, and schools to return to in-person learning. More information on these changes can be found here.
All visitors are asked to adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols, which includes wearing a mask at all times when in public.
For more information about Navajo Tribal Parks, call: 928-871-6647 or visit our website: www.navajonationparks.org, or on Facebook: "Navajo Parks & Recreation."
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.
