After months of closure and careful evaluation, a portion of the North Kaibab Trail is set to reopen on March 4, the National Park Service announced this week. The move comes after safety inspections were completed following the devastating Dragon Bravo Fire, which burned across the Grand Canyon’s North Rim last year.
The reopened section will stretch from the Clear Creek Trail junction to the Ribbon Falls junction—a roughly 14-mile segment that had been off-limits since July 13, 2025, just days after the fire ignited. However, areas north of Ribbon Falls will remain closed while post-winter assessments continue.
Last week, officials also reopened several fire-affected portions of Kaibab National Forest, including areas around House Rock Valley and the Nankoweap/Saddle Mountain Trail. Park managers are still warning hikers about ongoing flash-flood dangers, urging visitors to check forecasts and remain alert to sudden weather changes.
Post-fire surveys found no major structural damage to permanent facilities or camping areas, though new signage highlighting flood risks is being installed. Updated alert systems from the National Weather Service have also been integrated to assist with emergency evacuations.
The Dragon Bravo Fire, one of the ten largest wildfires in Arizona history, scorched approximately 145,000 acres between July and late September 2025, destroying dozens of buildings—including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
More details on the reopening and safety guidelines are available through the National Park Service’s Grand Canyon page.
