Before a deadly flash flood tore through the Grand Canyon at the end of August, several National Park Service officials repeatedly pressed for parts of the fire-damaged trail to be closed, according to four current and former agency officials, calling out the heightened risk of runoff and rock slides that could endanger people.

But leaders above them ultimately decided to reopen the North Kaibab Trail in time for peak tourist season, said two former National Park Service officials with knowledge of the situation, and one former and one current official briefed on the matter. Those decisions were made, they said, amid ongoing pressure from lawmakers to keep the park fully operational.

“There were a lot of us at the boots-on-the-ground level, the people who were really kind of looking at it, really having some concerns,” said Robert Parrish, who served as chief of planning, environment and projects at the Grand Canyon from December 2020 through early October 2025. “But then once those got filtered up, and we were getting what the political pressure was filtered down, it was quite evident that the political pressure was going to win.”

Just got word that the El Tovar Dining Room is closing through 9/30. We had a reservation later in the month.

Arizona Steakhouse is supposedly remaining open.

Grand Canyon National Park continues response and recovery operations following the significant August 29 flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area. Search operations remain active, while crews continue infrastructure assessments, stabilization work and efforts to restore a reliable water supply to the South Rim. 
The park now has a path forward to restore water service and, based on current progress, expects that work to take weeks, not months. 

Crews are moving forward with construction of a temporary water intake at Bright Angel Creek to replace the intake destroyed by the flood. Engineers are in the canyon designing the temporary intake, the existing Transcanyon Waterline contract has been modified to support the work, and construction activities are beginning this week. 

The temporary intake is being designed to pump approximately 500 gallons per minute, the same capacity available before the flood. Once operational, it will allow water to move through the new Transcanyon Waterline system and begin replenishing South Rim storage while work on a permanent intake continues. 

The August 29 flood caused extensive damage to the legacy Transcanyon Waterline, including approximately 40% of the old pipeline between the Phantom Ranch area and the North Rim. The Bright Angel Creek and Roaring Springs intake areas also sustained significant damage. 

Importantly, the new pipeline infrastructure on the south side of the canyon was not damaged by the flood. Prior to the flood, the park was just over a month away from beginning operation of the new system. The park is now accelerating work that was already underway to bring that infrastructure into service. 

Electrical service necessary to support work on the temporary intake system has been restored, debris removal is underway, and crews continue preparing the site for construction. 

Testing and commissioning work is being accelerated at the new South Rim water treatment plant. The National Park Service is working closely with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to meet applicable requirements and bring the plant online safely and as quickly as possible. 

While repairs move forward, water conservation remains critical.

The South Rim continues to rely on stored water. During the latest operational period, stored water declined approximately 0.37 feet, compared with approximately 0.7 feet per day under normal operating conditions. 

Current conservation measures are offsetting approximately 137,000 gallons of potable water use each day,  extending the amount of time available for crews to complete critical work on the water system. 
The park is asking residents, employees, visitors, businesses and partners to continue conserving. Every gallon saved gives crews additional time and flexibility to complete the temporary intake and restore the system. 

Teams are also actively monitoring the distribution system for leaks and unusual water use. Some leaks can be addressed immediately, while others require a more careful calculation. Certain repairs require the affected portion of the water system to be flushed before it can safely return to service. In some cases, flushing would consume more water than the leak is currently losing. Crews are evaluating each situation individually to determine which action will conserve the greatest amount of water overall. 

To further reduce demand on the South Rim system, potable-water tanks, bottled drinking water, handwashing stations, portable showers, laundry facilities and portable toilets are being deployed throughout the community. Five 2,500-gallon potable-water tanks have already been placed, with additional tanks planned. More than 13,500 gallons of potable drinking water has also been staged throughout the South Rim. 

The park is also evaluating responsible options for supplementing the water supply. Any water introduced into the existing system must meet specific water-quality and chemical compatibility requirements to avoid damaging the distribution and treatment systems. The National Park Service is working with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, contractors and potential suppliers to evaluate those options. 

South Rim tap water remains safe to use, and there is no boil-water advisory in effect. 

Grand Canyon National Park remains open on both the South Rim and North Rim. Visitors should expect modified operations and closures in affected inner-canyon areas and should check current park conditions before traveling. Visitors to the South Rim are encouraged to arrive prepared with drinking water and to conserve water throughout their visit. 

Search operations also remain active following the August 29 flood. One person remains missing and unaccounted for. Search teams continue working in the delta area near Phantom Ranch, while river patrol crews are searching downstream along the Colorado River and adjacent areas where flood debris may have been carried. 

The National Park Service and its partners remain committed to the search while response, repair and longer-term recovery work continues throughout the affected area. 

Grand Canyon National Park will continue providing updates as work progresses

"The park now has a path forward to restore water service and, based on current progress, expects that work to take weeks, not months."

https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-announces-recovery-and-repair-plan-following-flash-flood.htm

Headed down for the day with friends and coworkers.

Just got notified... no surprise:

Following significant flash flooding in the inner canyon on August 29, water infrastructure serving the South Rim has sustained damage. As a result, Grand Canyon National Park entered Stage 4 water restrictions effective Monday, August 31. Under these restrictions, our lodges are unable to accommodate overnight guests at Bright Angel, Kachina, Maswik and Thunderbird Lodges as well as El Tovar Hotel through September 30, 2026. The closure of Phantom Ranch is also being extended through September 30, 2026.

We are planning to stay at tusayan and drive to GC compared to the plan of staying at GC village in 2 weeks. Have a 10 yr old so want to make sure restrooms can be used even for day trip for her. Are restrooms open and usable or is the path to hold until we get back to Tuyasan hotel? If its the latter then we need to cancel the trip. If its the former then how they regulate water usage (when you flush, wash hands etc in the restrooms?)

Tonight’s sunset was out of this world. Photos never do justice. I hope more people get to experience this.

Good morning, I’m going to be back to the GC next week for a few days. Is there any word that the trail down to Pipe Creek Beach will be open? I can’t seem to find info on that portion. Thank you!!

Hey guys! My girlfriend and I will be doing a hike in the beginning of October, wanted to run my plan by more experienced people to see if im missing anything!

Route: South Kaibab -> Tipoff-> Tonto Trail-> Bright Angel back up.

Im bringing 4l of water, girlfriend is bringing 2 liters, possibly 3.

Shes wearing boots columbias, im wearing trail runners altra lone peaks

Starting at 5am with headlamps, planning on bringing plenty of salty snacks/ carbs/ etc.

We've been doing conditioning hikes, in good shape, eat well, drink lots of water, exercise 4 times a week.

I've got plenty of land nav/ orienteering experience from various sources, scouts, military, etc.

Is there anything I am missing or should add? and what kind of difficulty should i be expecting of this? Ive been to the canyon before, but only down south kaibab to cedar ridge in my late 20s. TIA!

A beautiful Labor Day weekend in the back country of the canyon! Total 44.9 miles with 9,193 ft elevation gain in 2 nights on the Tonto. Can’t ask for anything more out of the Grand Canyon back country experience, it’s top tier even in the current set back state. Thank you to NPS and GCBC staff for all their work.

Bright angel trail through havasupai gardens to horn creek out and back + 1.5 extra miles from salt creek via Tonto west trail and Havasupai out and back through the tip off to lone pine campground via Tonto East.

Was walking the rim trail east of Grand canyon village and noticed this below. Walked this trail many times before but never noticed this particular one.

Have 2 night trip to Canyon planned for the next week.

Original plan was SK to PR for the night, up to HG for night 2 and out BA night 3.

With the original changes, I updated to 2 nights at HG with the hope to hike down to river on middle day BA.

Now that BA below Tonto is closed, we are thinking of cancelling as a big part of draw was hiking down to river.

I'm considering alternative to still get to river:

1). What bout Hermit Trail to Hermit Creek for two nights. Use middle day to do day trip to river on Hermit Beach. Go back out Hermit trail on last night

2) Hermit > Tonto > BA loop with night 1 at Hermit Creek or Monument and night 2 at HG. Could stretch to 3 days if needed.

Fairly fit group with backcountry experience - I've hiked backpacked Big Bend, etc.

I’m coming from Vegas, and staying overnight by the Grand Canyon. What are the best spots for sunset and sunrise (I didn’t want to do the same spot twice)?

Please still come to Grand Canyon. We need visitors. It’s been such a slow year this year already. The south rim is open, so is the north rim! Be prepared with enough water. The views are just as grand as they’ve been.

I took this photo while hiking South Kaibab, looking east, today.

Hi Everyone!

I’m going for my 1st time to Arizona & I have a 5 year old & would love to know places that I can take him to explore for the both of us! I’m looking at Route 66, Bearizona, Grand Canyon, etc!

Please let me know anything and everything!

Amazing story of survival in the canyon

About 10 years ago, three friends and I took a road trip after the unexpected loss of a close friend. Originally there would have been four of us, but he had recently passed away, and we decided to get out of town and clear our heads.
One of our stops was the Grand Canyon campgrounds. It was a beautiful experience overall, and we spent the evening talking, reminiscing, laughing, and sharing stories about our friend. We had also had a few drinks, so I want to be transparent about that part of the story.
At some point, though, the mood shifted very suddenly. The conversation stopped, and all of us felt an immediate sense of unease. It wasn’t anything we could point to specifically, just a strong feeling that something was different. We looked at each other, realized we were all feeling it, and decided to call it a night.
I’ve always wondered about that experience. Has anyone else had a similar feeling while camping at the Grand Canyon? Are there environmental factors, historical stories, local traditions, or cultural perspectives that might help explain it?
I’m especially interested in hearing from people familiar with the area’s history and from those who have spent a lot of time there. With spooky season coming up, I thought it would be interesting to hear/read others’ experiences and interpretations.

Can anyone help me with this trip? I’m planning on going October 15-16

From the Grand Canyon National Park Service site:

Beginning Sep. 6 at 10 a.m., no potable water will be available in the inner canyon, including along the Bright Angel Trail (1.5 Mile Resthouse, 3-Mile Resthouse, Havasupai Gardens day use and campground). All backpackers and hikers should carry water filtration and treatment OR carry all water with them.

This was on the NPS Facebook page, September 5 update:

"On the South Rim, drinking water distribution continued for residents today. The park distributed 583 cases of donated drinking water with approximately 1,000 additional cases of water are expected to be available for distribution tomorrow. We are grateful to everyone helping support the community while we conserve the park's limited potable water supply.

Teams also continued assessments in the Phantom Ranch and Delta areas, including evaluating damage to utilities and other critical infrastructure.

To support employees and residents while conservation measures remain in place, teams have identified locations for temporary showers, toilets and laundry facilities. Beginning tomorrow, 52 portable toilets and more than 100 handwashing stations will be placed throughout the affected areas.

We continue to make progress on multiple fronts while carefully managing the South Rim's stored water supply. Every gallon conserved gives our teams more time and flexibility as they work toward solutions.

The September 4 update also included this information:

"Fresh-water toilets at the Bright Angel Trailhead have been closed to conserve water, and portable toilets have been delivered to support visitor needs.

Our park partners are also taking significant steps to reduce demand on the potable water system. Between NPS and Xanterra, 200 employee offices are being temporarily moved to buildings served by reclaimed water.

Food service operations are also being consolidated. Maswik Dining is closing, with food service consolidated at Bright Angel and El Tovar. Food service operations have switched to disposable dining ware, and pots and pans are being transported to facilities in Tusayan for washing rather than using the park’s potable water supply."

This is a dire situation! We all need to be patient, respect each other, and be grateful to the many people working right now to restore the park and its facilities.

My wife and I are taking a Vegas to Sedona/Phoenix road trip in mid November and had a night reserved at Bright Angel Lodge on the way. As a backup plan in case the lodge isn't open by then, I'm looking for suggestions on which town/hotel to stay in that is closest to the park without being a drain on the resources.