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Changes in Park Operations - Monday, June 1, 2020 - 6 am
Precautions are being taken due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Confirmed cases in Grand Canyon National Park : 2 (confirmed on 4/24)
From Friday, May 29, 2020, through Thursday, June 4, the South Rim’s South Entrance will be open from 4 am until 2 pm for day use with limited commercial services. The entrance will close at 2 pm and visitors already inside the park can remain for day use access until sunset.
- Day hiking on inner canyon trails and existing backcountry permits for hikers camping overnight will be honored. No new overnight camping permits for the inner canyon will be issued.
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.
Information about Navajo Nation can be found on their website.
Park Operations May 29 through June 4, 2020
- Portions of the South Rim will be open Friday, May 29 through Thursday, June 4, 2020 for limited entry and recreational access.
- The South Entrance Station will be open from 4 am - 2 pm for visitors to enter the park. The entrance will close at 2 pm.
- Visitors who have entered the park before 2 pm can remain for day use access until sunset.
- Entrances fees should be paid at automated fee machines or by purchasing a pass in advance from nearby third-party vendors, or online, through Recreation.gov.
- Grand Canyon National Park currently has fire restrictions in effect that prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, or wood stove fire, within a developed recreation site or unimproved site.
The Following Areas and Services will be Open to Visitors between May 29 and June 4, 2020.
- Day hiking on inner canyon trails, and existing backcountry permits for hikers camping overnight will be honored. No new overnight camping permits for the inner canyon will be issued.
- Limited food and beverage services at Market Plaza, Visitor Center Plaza - Bright Angel Bicycles, El Tovar Hotel Patio, and near village hotels.
- Market Plaza:
Canyon Village Market: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.
- Visitor Center Plaza:
Bright Angel Bicycle's Grab & Go: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm.
- El Tovar Hotel Patio: 11:00 am - 7:30 pm.
- Food truck located near Bright Angel Lodge: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.
- Gift and Souvenir Shops
- Bright Angel Lodge: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Hopi House (first floor): 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Market Plaza: Canyon Village Market: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.
- Visitor Center Plaza:
Bicycle and Wheelchair Rentals at Bright Angel Bicycles
- The Rim Trail and Greenway Trail system (located outside of the village residential area)
- State Route 64, Desert View Drive, is open a distance of 22 miles, from Village Loop Road through Navajo Point.
- The Tuweep area is open for Day Use Only.
- Grand Canyon Clinic is open by appointment only. Same day appointments are available. Please call 928-683-2551 to make an appointment.
With Public Health in Mind, the following facilities and areas will Remain Closed between May 29, and June 4, 2020
- The East Entrance to the park at Desert View, and the Desert View Watchtower area remain closed.
- The North Rim remains closed during this time.
- All visitor centers, and museums remain closed.
- South Rim shuttle buses are not in operation.
- No Commercial Use Authorizations are permitted. (Commercial Tours)
- Overnight Lodging and campgrounds on the the South Rim remain closed. Lodging and Camping is available in the gateway community of Tusayan.
- Camper Services and Trailer Village remain closed.
- Center Road and access through the South Rim residential housing area remain closed
- The Colorado River, and the North Rim remain closed.
Backcountry Operations Between May 27 and June 4, 2020
Existing backcountry permits for hikers camping overnight will be honored; however, no new overnight camping permits for the inner canyon will be issued at this time.
When hiking below the rim, a method to treat water should be included with gear. Check for park water station updates here: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/trail-closures.htm.
Beginning June 5, 2020, the following areas will be open for visitors:
- South Rim’s south entrance will be open 24/7,
- Mather Campground will open for existing reservations only, and some overnight lodging will reopen.
- The North Rim will be open for day use.
Update: Phased Reopening of Colorado River Rafting Trips
Beginning June 14, 2020, Grand Canyon National Park will initiate 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 will resume 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.
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.
Refund and Rescheduling Information:
Related News Releases
May 28, 2020
Grand Canyon National Park is Beginning to Increase Recreational Access
May 20, 2020
Grand Canyon National Park is beginning to increase recreational access at the South Rim
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May 12, 2020
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April 1, 2020
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March 30, 2020
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued a Stay-at-Home Executive Order in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Details >
March 26, 2020
Grand Canyon National Park Is Modifying Additional Operations To Implement Local Health Guidance >
March 20, 2020
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March 19, 2020
Grand Canyon National Park Transitions to Limited Services >
March 18, 2020
Grand Canyon National Park is Modifying Operations to Implement Latest Health Guidance >
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