North Rim Ranger Programs and Special Events

under tall pine trees, a park ranger is giving a talk to about a dozen people who are sitting on wooden benches in an outdoor amphitheater on the rim of a large canyon.
A Park Ranger gives an interpretive program at the Bright Angel Point Amphitheater on the North Rim.

NPS Photo/C. Kraus

 
 

Visit this webpage (updated daily) for the South Rim list of what is open and closed, hours of operation, and COVID-19 updates

 

North Rim Ranger Programs

Canyon View Walk

Sundays and Thursdays, 8:30-10 am. Meet at the Campground Kiosk
Immerse yourself in the immensity of Grand Canyon and the intricacies of the Kaibab Plateau during this 90-minute ranger-led walk along the Transept Trail.

Behind the Scenery

Daily, 11:30 am-12 pm. Bright Angel Point Amphitheater
Explore your connections and uncover the stories between the canyon's colorful walls during this 20-minute ranger-led experience.

Evening Program

Tuesdays and Saturdays, 7:30-8:15 pm. Grand Canyon Lodge Auditorium
Join a ranger for a deep dive into the complex layers of Grand Canyon’s history, ecology, geology and more during this 45-minute program.

  • All outdoor ranger programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or when lightning danger is present.

  • Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult on all programs. All programs are free of charge.


Jump to a summary of the 2022 Native American Heritage Days Special Event.

 
A small, rustic style information kiosk between a scenic overlook and a parking lot, beneath tall treesl
During the 2023 season, from June 2 through October 15, park rangers are available to answer questions between mid-morning and mid-afternoon daily at the historic kiosk (north of the lodge and visitor center building, along the rim at Roaring Springs Canyon Overlook).
 

 

North Rim Special Events


 
A crowd gathers in the shade of pine trees to hear a speaker on the North Rim of Grand Canyon.
A crowd gathers in the shade of pine trees to hear a speaker on the North Rim of Grand Canyon.

NPS photo, June2, 2023

Community Speaker Series 2023

The North Rim staff will host artists, scientists, and community members with deep ties to Grand Canyon throughout the summer of 2023. Look for flyers or ask a ranger for times and locations.
  • Friday, June 2 - Wayne Ranney, Geologist and author of Carving the Grand Canyon.
  • Tuesday, June 6 - Grand Canyon Hydrology Team
  • Saturday, June 10 - Daniel Bulletts, Cultural Resource Director for the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians
  • Saturday, July 1 - Kevin Schindler, Historian for Lowell Observatory
  • Tuesday, July 11 - Pipe Spring National Monument Rangers
  • Saturday, August 5 - Amy S. Martin, Photographer and former Grand Canyon Ranger
  • Tuesday, August 8 - Pipe Spring National Monument Rangers
  • Saturday, September 9 - Larry Stephens, Ecologist and director of the Springs Stewardship Institute
  • Tuesday, September 19 - Deidra Peaches, Film maker and photographer
  • Tuesday, September 26 - Colleen Lucero, Founder of the Hopi Harvey Girls Project and director of the Hopivewat Learning Center
 

 
 
Twilight; lluminated by red light, a group of people are looking through telescopes on the veranda of a rustic lodge.
Telescope viewing on the veranda of Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim

Photo courtesy of Christian Schroll

North Rim Star Party 2024

Make plans now to attend the 2024 North Rim Star Party, June 1 through 8, 2024, with Saguaro Astronomy Club and Volunteers-in-Park

  • Astronomy related evening programs will be presented at 8 pm each evening in the auditorium of Grand Canyon Lodge.
  • Telescopes are set up on the veranda of the Grand Canyon Lodge every evening.
  • Constellation talks are also given, throughout the evening.
  • By day, solar telescopes are set up at the lodge, the Visitor Center and the general store (at the entrance to the North Rim Campground.)
 
Three young Navajo dancers are posing for a group photo in their traditional clothers.
Dineh Tah’ Dancers represent the beauty and rich spiritual traditions of the Diné (Navajo) people.

NPS Photo/Lauren Cisneros

2023 Native American Heritage Days

This event took place Thursday, July 27, through Sunday July 30,
From July 27 through 30, 2023, special programs were offered by tribal members on a variety of subjects, including cultural connections to Grand Canyon, music, and dance. Activities and cultural demonstrations took place in and around Grand Canyon Lodge. Between the participants and their families, there were 35 people representing the Hopi Tribe, A:Shiwi (Pueblo of Zuni), Diné (Navajo Nation), San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Kaivavich (Kaibab) Band of Paiute Indians, and the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah. Additionally, park rangers from both Grand Canyon National Park and Pipe Spring National Monument were in attendance.

 

2023 Heritage Days Schedule of Events - August 27 through 30, 2023

Thursday, July 27th

6:00 pm - Grand Canyon Lodge Audtitorium
Dineh Tah’ Dance Performance
Watch traditional Navajo dances and songs of the Diné people.

Friday, July 28th

10:00 am - Grand Canyon Lodge Audtitorium
Dineh Tah’ Dance Performance
Watch traditional Navajo dances and songs of the Diné people.

6:00 pm - Grand Canyon Lodge Audtitorium
Milton Tso – Flute Performance
Enjoy a traditional Diné flute performance with stories and humor.

Saturday, July 29th

12:00 pm - Grand Canyon Lodge Audtitorium
Flute Performance
Young members of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah will perform a concert of traditional flute music.

2:00 pm - Grand Canyon Lodge Audtitorium
Curtis Quam Zuni in the Grand Canyon
Learn about the Zuni people’s connection to Grand Canyon and the Colorado River with Curtis Quam, Cultural Educator.

6:00 pm - Grand Canyon Lodge Audtitorium
Milton Tso – Flute performance
Enjoy a traditional Diné flute performance with stories and humor.

Sunday, July 30th

10:00 am - Grand Canyon Lodge Audtitorium
Curtis Quam Zuni in the Grand Canyon
Learn about the Zuni people’s connection to Grand Canyon and the Colorado River with Curtis Quam, Cultural Educator.

 

2023 Heritage Days Presenters

Dineh Tah’ Navajo Dancers - Navajo/Diné (Albuquerque,NM)
Dineh Tah’ Navajo Dancers, are considered an outstanding group of young,talented, and disciplined individuals who continue to excel at their cultural program. Their unique program offers the finest in traditional and semi-contemporary performances, representing the beauty and rich spiritual traditions of the Diné (Navajo) people.

Milton Tso - Navajo/Diné (Cameron, AZ)
Milton is from Cameron, Arizona and has been playing flute for over 10 years. He is passionate about his culture, the environment, and developing a sustainable economy for his community. He performed at Heritage Days 2022 and is excited to be back.

Paiute Tribal Youth Performers from the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah
The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah's Native Youth program offers opportunities for youth to learn historical and cultural traditions and participate in important community events with the goal of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

Curtis Quam - Zuni - (Zuni, NM).
Curtis hasbeen working as Museum Technician and Cultural Educator, overseeing the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center for the past 20 years. He has worked with community members to create innovative ways to educate youth about Zuni beliefs and history. Curtis is a member of the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project among many other teams.

 

2023 Heritage Days Cultural Demonstrators

LeAnn Jake-Shearer and Tavavee Nuvashant Shearer - Kaibab Paiute (Fredonia, AZ.)
LeAnn has spent the last 20 years as an independent cultural consultant and heritage demonstrator. She is currently working as the Cultural Preservation Director for the Kaibab Paiute Tribe teaching traditional life skills and contemporary heritage skills to the tribal community. LeAnn’s daughter Tavavee enjoys sharing her culture as one of the tribe’s younger heritage demonstrators. This year, they will be working on a contemporary rabbit blanket using traditional techniques. Although some resources are modern, the cultural knowledge and process of creating a Southern Paiute rabbit blanket are ancient skills that are still being passed down.

Richard Graymountain - San Juan Southern Paiute (Rock Point, AZ )
Richard is a member of the San Juan Southern Paiute tribe and is a member of the council. The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe is well known for their fine weaving/basketry. Richard has been doing basketry for 30+ years and started when he was 7 years old.

Jessica Lomatewama - Hopi (Hotevilla, AZ)
Jessica has been weaving the Third Mesa style of basketry for 40 years. She gathers her materials from the desert and prepares them for weaving. Jessica uses three different types of materials - the Dunebroom plant is used for the frame of the basket, the Rabbit Brush is the weaving material, and the Narrow Leaf Yucca is used to finish the edge of the basket.

Duane Tawahongva - Hopi (Second Mesa, Mishongnovi Village, AZ)
Duane is best known for his silver overlay jewerly for which he has won awards in shows all over the Southwest, from California to Texas. Sterling is his primary medium and design elements of Hopi tradition infuse much of his work, embracing the symbolism of his ancestry and beliefs. He also uses other materials to embellish his stylings, stones such as opal and azuritze. His hope is that his jewelry brings blessings to all who wear it. His creations are influenced by his heritage yet he embraces the contemporary as well.

Henry Nez - Navajo/Diné (Pinon, AZ)
Henry has been silversmithing since age 14. He was taught by his older brother and uncle. He has been participating in Heritage Days for a longtime! Henry enjoys meeting different people from all walks of life, and will be demonstrating different designs of his jewelry.

Toland Mayo - Kaibab Band of Pauites (Kanab, AZ)
Toland Mayo is an Interpretive Ranger at Pipe Spring National Monument. He works as the Ranch hand and works in the garden where he does most of his interpretation about the native plants his ancestors used and still use to this day. The garden at Pipe Spring National Monument is a community garden where you can learn and share. He uses the style of ancestral monsoon garden with Three sisters; mounds and waffle style mounds to catch the rain.

Autumn Gillard - Cedar Band of Paiutes (Cedar City, UT)
"Mique’ (Hello) my name is Autumn and I am the Cultural Resource Manager for the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah. I am a Southern Paiute maternal descendant from the Cedar Band of Paiutes. I specialize in Southern Paiute Astronomy, Ethnobotany, and Anthropology." Autumn is joined by the Southern Paiute flautists have showcased their talent throughout Southern Paiute Ancestral territory. The flute plays an important role in Native culture in terms of helping bring the mind,body, and spirit into one rhythm. It is believed in the Southern Paiute cultural that giving music back to the land is an honor.

 
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Duration:
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From August 4 through 7, 2022, special programs were offered by tribal members on a variety of subjects, ranging from astronomy to Native American music and dance. Activities and cultural demonstrations took place in and around Grand Canyon Lodge. Between the participants and their families, there were 39 people representing most of Grand Canyon’s 11 associated tribes. There were a total of 1,121 visitor contacts during the special programming that took place during the four days of the event.

 

More About Visiting the North Rim in 2023

Last updated: August 10, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Phone:

928-638-7888

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