The North Rim of the Grand Canyon Welcomes Visitors Once More
After nearly a year of closure due to the devastating Dragon Bravo Fire, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is now open to tourists. The fire had burned over 145,000 acres, resulting in the destruction of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
Visitors were greeted at 6 a.m. Friday as the site officially reopened. Enthusiasts can now explore scenic locations such as Cape Royal, Point Imperial, and the North Kaibab Trail. However, Grand Canyon spokesperson Joelle Baird advises that services will be limited for the time being. “We’re really encouraging visitors to be self-sufficient and plan ahead. Namely, we want to make sure that visitors understand that there will not be potable water on the North Rim,” Baird emphasizes.
Currently, the park is prioritizing access for day-use trips and backcountry hikers. The North Rim campgrounds aim to reopen later in the season, with management by a concessionaire. Meanwhile, Aramark’s North Rim General Store and Gas Station, along with the Kaibab Lodge, are operational.
Park team members have been diligently working for months to clear hazard trees and restore trails affected by last year’s fire. “A lot of work is being done across many different divisions, everything from burned area emergency response, infrastructure, operations and then also longer-term planning and compliance,” Baird notes.
Efforts are also underway to conduct a feasibility study concerning the reconstruction of the century-old Grand Canyon Lodge. Last fall, certain scenic drives and the State Route 67 corridor were temporarily reopened before the annual winter closure took effect.
“Overall, we’re really excited to welcome visitors back to the North Rim while we continue long-term recovery and restoration work,” says Baird.
EXTENDED: A conversation with US Department of the Interior Burned Area Emergency Response Team leader TJ Clifford on impacts of the Dragon Bravo Fire.
—
Read More Arizona News
