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 - Wednesday, July 16, 2020

Precautions are being taken due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
COVID-19 confirmed cases (7/13) in zip code 86023 (Grand Canyon/Tusayan): 31

Arizona Executive Order through July 29: Prohibits large gatherings, ceases the issuance of new special event licenses and pauses the operations of bars, gyms, movie theaters, waterparks, and tubing rentals.


The South Rim’s South Entrance is open 24 hours/day. Some visitor services and overnight accomodations are available on the South Rim. Available services are listed below.

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.

  • 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 COVID-19 lockdowns on the neighboring Navajo Nation.
  • The East Entrance to the park at Desert View, and the Desert View Watchtower area is also CLOSED because of COVID-19 concerns. You must use the South Entrance to the park, near the town of Tusayan, AZ, to enter and exit the park.
  • The North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge is open for overnight guests. The North Rim Campground remains Closed. Details >
  • Day hiking on inner canyon trails and existing backcountry permits for hikers will be honored. Backpacking permits for July or August are not being issued at this time. Backpacking permit requests for start dates in September and later are being considered. More >
    The South Rim Backcountry Information Center lobby remains closed.
  • 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.
  • Mather Campground is open for existing reservations only. Group sites are not available at this time. Trailer Village is open.
  • South Rim shuttle buses are not in operation.

  • To avoid receiving a ticket, do NOT park at the South Kaibab trailhead.

    With shuttle bus and taxi service suspended, plan to park further away and add extra time and mileage to walk to the trailhead. If you drive beyond the "Do Not Enter" signs, and park at the trailhead, you WILL get a ticket.

  • Visitor centers, and museums remain closed with the exception of Verkamps Visitor Center.
  • The Canyon Rim Trail and the GreenwayTrail system are open to the public outside of the village residential area.
  • Hermit Road is closed to cars. Access is by foot or bicycle only.
  • State Route 64, (Desert View Drive), is open a distance of 22 miles, from Grand Canyon Village to Navajo Point. The East Entrance to the park at Desert View, and the Desert View Watchtower area is CLOSED. You must use the South Entrance near the town of Tusayan to enter and exit the park.
  • Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect: Due to increased fire danger, all fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbecues, are prohibited. Outdoor smoking is prohibited except in an enclosed vehicle or building. These restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

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 concerns can be found on their website.

 

Lodging and Visitor Services Update

Xanterra - Grand Canyon National Park Lodges South Rim

  • El Tovar Hotel Lodging - Restaurant (B 7-10 am) (L 11:30 am - 2 pm) (D 5-9 pm)

  • El Tovar Hotel Food Truck - 10 am - 4 pm

  • Bright Angel Lodge Lodging - Fountain 11 am - 6 pm

  • Thunderbird Lodge Lodging only

  • Kachina Lodge Lodging only

  • Maswik Lodge Lodging Cafeteria Food Service: 7 am - 8 pm

  • Hopi House Gift Shop: 8 am - 8 pm

  • Lookout Studio Gift Shop: 9 am - 5 pm

  • Hermits Rest - CLOSED

  • Phantom Ranch - cabins only

  • Mule Rides - Details >

  • Bus Tours - SUSPENDED

  • South Rim Kennel - CLOSED

Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel - in Operation

Delaware North Operations in Grand Canyon Village South Rim

  • Yavapai Lodge - Lodging
  • Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop 6:30 am - 2 pm
  • Yavapai Lodge Tavern - CLOSED
  • Yavapai Lodge Restuarant - CLOSED
  • Canyon Village Market and General Store: 8 am to 8 pm daily

  • Trailer Village RV Park

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

Bright Angel Bicycles

Grab & Go Café, Coffee Bar, Bicycle Rental and Tours (Visitor Center Plaza)

Services at Market Plaza


Grand Canyon Clinic (North Country Healthcare, 1 Clinic Road) The Clinic is open every day from 9 am to 6 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.

 

Visitor Centers and Contact Stations

  • South Rim Visitor Center and Theater - CLOSED
  • Grand Canyon Conservancy's Park Store 8 am - 7 pm
    (across the plaza from the Visitor Center)
  • Park Headquarters Information Desk - CLOSED
  • Backcountry Information Center (BIC) - CLOSED
  • Yavapai Geology Museum 9am to 5 pm
  • Verkamps Visitor Center 11:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Kolb Studio - CLOSED
  • Desert View Watchtower and Tusayan Museum - CLOSED
  • All Interpretive Park Ranger programs are CANCELLED

Park Shuttle Bus Service is Suspended

All shuttle bus service on the South Rim is suspended until further notice. This includes:

  • Hiker Express Shuttle
  • Tusayan Shuttle (Purple Route)
  • Village Route (Blue Route)
  • Kaibab Rim (Orange Route)
  • Hermit Road (Red Route)
    Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles
    Hermit Road is open for bicycle and foot traffic
 

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:

  • The North Rim Visitor Center remains closed.
  • The North Rim Campground is closed. The reopening day has not been determined. Water line replacement and paving is taking place.
  • Grand Canyon Lodge is now 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 9 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.
 

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:

 

Last updated: July 16, 2020

Contact the Park

Mailing Address:

PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Phone:

928-638-7888

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