Grand Canyon National Park Public Health Update

several groups of people at a scenic overlook apart from each other. Some individuals are wearing masks.
 

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Park Operations Update - Friday, September 18, 2020

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Grand Canyon National Park is increasing recreational access for the South Rim and river trips. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

  • COVID-19 confirmed cases Grand Canyon Village 20
    0 active cases, 20 recovered cases. (9/14)
  • COVID-19 confirmed cases in zip code 86023 (Grand Canyon/Tusayan): 47
  • COVID-19 confirmed cases in Coconino County: 3,474 deaths:135
  • COVID-19 confirmed cases in Arizona: 211,660 deaths: 5,409

AZ Department of Health Services Phased Reopening Plan for Paused Industries: On 8/10, Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced a series of public health recommendations that would allow certain Arizona businesses to reopen if specific criteria are met. Park management is reviewing the recommendations and monitoring for any additional information from the state, and we will provide updates as we learn more.

 

Road, Trail and Backcountry Notices:

  • Entrances fees should be paid at automated fee machines at the entrance stations, or by purchasing a pass in advance from nearby third-party vendors, or online, through Recreation.gov.
  • State Route 64, (Desert View Drive), is open a distance of 22 miles, from Grand Canyon Village to Navajo Point. There is a turnaround at Navajo Point. The East Entrance to the park at Desert View, the Desert View Watchtower area and campground are CLOSED. You must use the South Entrance near the town of Tusayan to enter and exit the park.
  • Hermit Road is closed to cars. The 7.5 mile scenic road is accessed by foot, bicycle or the Hermit Road (Red Route) shuttle bus only. The shuttle runs from 5 am until 1 hour after sunset.
  • The Canyon Rim Trail and the GreenwayTrail system are open to the public outside of the village residential area.
  • Canyon trails are open for day hiking, and overnight backcountry permit requests are being considered. More >
  • The South Rim Backcountry Information Center remains closed. However, the Hikers' Express shuttle bus leaves the Backcountry Information Center at 6,7, and 8 am daily, with service to the the South Kaibab Trailhead. No additional stops are made.
  • The Silver Bridge has reopened. The bridge, which crosses the Colorado River along Bright Angel Trail is located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near Phantom Ranch. Details > (9/11/2020)
  • Grand Canyon National Park recommends that hikers and runners be prepared to filter or disinfect creek water along corridor trails, in the event of a pipeline break.

  • The Kaibab Rim (Orange Route Eastbound) shuttle bus with service between the Visitor Center and South Kaibab Trailhead is in operation from 5 am until 1 hour after sunset. Driving beyond the "Do Not Enter" signs, and parking at the trailhead is not permitted - you will receive a ticket.

 

South Rim Lodging and Visitor Services

Grand Canyon National Park Lodges (Xanterra)

  • El Tovar Hotel Lodging - Restaurant (B 7-10:30 am) (L 11:30 am - 2 pm) (D 4:30-9 pm) dinner reservations are not being accepted.

  • El Tovar Hotel Food Truck - 10 am - 4 pm (weather permitting)

  • Bright Angel Lodge Lodging -

    Bright Angel Fountain Coffee House 6 am - 10 am

    Bright Angel Fountain 11 am - 6 pm

  • Thunderbird Lodge Lodging only

  • Kachina Lodge Lodging only

  • Maswik Lodge Lodging Cafeteria: 7 am - 8 pm
    Maswik Pizza Pub closed until further notice.

  • Hopi House Gift Shop: 8 am - 8 pm

  • Lookout Studio Gift Shop: 9 am - 5 pm

  • Hermits Rest Gift Shop: 9 am - 5 pm

  • Phantom Ranch - cabins only

  • Mule Rides - Details >

  • Bus Tours - SUSPENDED

  • South Rim Kennel - CLOSED

  • Visit Grand Canyon National Park Lodges Website >

Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel - in Operation

Delaware North Grand Canyon Village

  • Yavapai Lodge - Lodging
  • Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop - CLOSED
  • Yavapai Lodge Tavern - CLOSED
  • Yavapai Lodge Restuarant - CLOSED
  • Canyon Village Market and General Store: 8 am to 8 pm daily
  • Canyon Village Market Deli: 7 am to 8 pm daily
  • Trailer Village RV Park

  • The RV and Camper Services building: including the laundry, showers, and food service is CLOSED

  • Visit Delaware North's Website >

Bright Angel Bicycles

Grab & Go Café, Coffee Bar, Bicycle Rental and Tours (Visitor Center Plaza)
Bike Rentals: September 8th -September 30, 8 am - 5 pm.
Cafe: September 8th - February 28, 2021, 8 am - 5 pm.

Services at Market Plaza

Grand Canyon Clinic (North Country Healthcare, 1 Clinic Road) The Clinic is open Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. 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.

 

South Rim Visitor Centers and Contact Stations

  • South Rim Visitor Center and Theater - CLOSED
  • Grand Canyon Conservancy's Park Store 9 am - 7 pm
    (across the plaza from the Visitor Center)
  • Park Headquarters Information Desk - CLOSED
  • Backcountry Information Center (BIC) - CLOSED
  • Yavapai Geology Museum 9 am to 5 pm
  • Verkamps Visitor Center 9 am to 5 pm
  • Kolb Studio - CLOSED
  • Desert View Watchtower and Tusayan Museum - CLOSED
  • All Interpretive Park Ranger programs are CANCELLED
 

South Rim Shuttle Bus - Limited Service

Beginning Saturday, September 5, 2020, The Hermit Road Route (Red Route) and Kaibab Rim Route Eastbound (Orange Route) will operate from 5 am until one hour after sunset each day. (sunset times)

The Hiker Express Shuttle will run daily from the Backcountry Information Center to the South Kaibab Trailhead at 6, 7, and 8 am. No additional stops will be made. Cars may be parked in Parking Lot D, by the Backcountry Information Center.

For additional information about limited resumption of shuttle service on September 5, 2020, read the news release: Grand Canyon National Park to Begin Modified Shuttle Operations (8/27/2020)

Suspended Shuttle Bus Routes (not in operation)

  • Tusayan Shuttle (Purple Route)
  • Village Route (Blue Route)
  • Kaibab Rim (Orange Route) Westbound from Visitor Center to Yavapai Museum
 

All Desert View Facilities are Closed

As a reminder, visitors driving on US Route 89 in northern Arizona will be travelling through the Navajo Nation, which requires face masks to be worn at public facilities and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19.

IMPORTANT: Highway 64 between Cameron, AZ, and the East Entrance to the park at Desert View is closed because of lockdowns on the neighboring Navajo Nation. The East Entrance gate is locked and the Desert View Watchtower area is also CLOSED because of COVID-19 concerns.

You must use the South Entrance near the town of Tusayan to enter and exit the park.
  • Desert View Market and Deli - CLOSED
  • Desert View Trading Post and Ice Cream - CLOSED
  • Desert View Campground - CLOSED
  • Desert View Watchtower - CLOSED
  • Desert View Cultural Demonstrations are cancelled - until further notice.
  • Self-serve gas is not available.
 

North Rim Services Update:

  • North Rim Visitor Center - Closed for the Season.(8/17)
  • North Rim Campground is closed. The reopening day has not been finalized.
  • Water Conservation Measures: The North Rim is under water conservation measures until further notice due to a pump failure at the Roaring Springs Pump House.
  • Grand Canyon Lodge is open for overnight guests.
  • Grab & Go Food is available from the Saloon, from 5:30 am to 8 pm daily. No indoor seating is available.
  • The North Rim General Store is open between 8 am and 5 pm daily.
  • Fuel is available 24/7 with a credit card at the North Rim Gas Station.
  • Regularly scheduled Trail Rides are being offered.
 

Update: Phased Reopening of Colorado River Rafting Trips

Beginning June 14, 2020, Grand Canyon National Park initiated a phased reopening of Colorado River commercial and noncommercial trips.

  • Private, noncommercial river trips with current permits will be authorized to launch, and no new permits will be issued through at least the end of June. Noncommercial river trips including administrative trips should contact the Grand Canyon River Permit Office via email at: grca_riv@nps.gov for details.
  • Commercial river trips resumed with implemented mitigation measures including modified passenger capacities for some launches, so customers should contact the commercial river companies for any potential impact to their trip.
 

Refund and Rescheduling Information:

 

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.

As a reminder, visitors driving on U.S. Route 89 between Flagstaff or northern Arizona and Cameron will be travelling through the Navajo Nation, which requires face masks to be worn at public facilities and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19. The South Rim’s east entrance is accessed by driving on U.S. Route 89, and the entrance remains closed. Public health and operational updates for the Navajo Nation can be found on their website. Also, 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.

Updates about National Park Service operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

 

Last updated: September 17, 2020

Contact the Park

Mailing Address:

PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Phone:

928-638-7888

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