The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin a phased reopening on Oct. 1, following weeks of closures due to the Dragon Bravo Fire, park officials announced Thursday.
The reopening will allow public access to Highway 67 up to the W1 road (near mile marker 11) and the Cape Royal Road, which leads to Point Imperial and Cape Royal — two of the rim’s most popular viewpoints. Fire Point and Swamp Ridge will also reopen for daytime use. These areas will remain accessible through Nov. 30 or until the season’s first major snowfall.
“This is the first of several phased reopenings planned for the North Rim, and we appreciate the public’s patience as we work diligently to restore access,” Superintendent Ed Keable said in a statement.
Overnight use will remain restricted, with the exception of Swamp Point and Fire Point. Much of the North Rim remains closed due to safety concerns, including dead standing trees, flash flood risks, and ongoing recovery operations. The North Kaibab Trail, one of the park’s premier hikes, is also closed indefinitely because of fire-related rockfalls and trail damage.
Park officials warned visitors that there are currently no services in the reopened areas. That means no fuel, food, lodging, cell service, or running water inside the park. Emergency response will be limited, and travel conditions may change quickly with early winter storms.
Vehicles longer than 22 feet are prohibited on Cape Royal Road because of narrow passages and tight turns. For those seeking overnight accommodations, lodging and fuel are available in nearby communities such as Jacob Lake, Marble Canyon, Page, Fredonia, and Kanab, Utah.
Updates on North Rim trail and area closures can be found on the National Park Service website.
