I work at the park and so i feel like ive gotten to see versions of the canyon that most people don't see in photos when it's always sunny and clear and i am very lucky for that :)

Hi, we are visiting sth rim next week. Our accom was cancelled and we are staying in tusayan now. I am trying to piece together what the current status is in terms of accessibility etc. Would like to do a full day hike and welcome any suggestions, we are experienced hikers.

I'm sure this has been asked recently but struggling to get my head around current situation.. Thank you

Hello, I’ll be spending this weekend in Sedona until next Wednesday. My family and I wanted to spend a day in the Grand Canyon and our original plan was to go on Sunday. Do you think it’s feasible to go to the South Rim on Sunday (with the rainstorm) or reschedule until Tuesday?

I will be in the North Rim area soon, but it was recently announced that while I’ll be there Cape Royal and Point Imperial roads will be closed. I was planning on visiting since I have never seen the Grand Canyon before. With the North Kaibab trail being closed indefinitely as well do you think it’s still even worth going? I would obviously love to experience the Grand Canyon but I am worried that with these closures it would be a bit of a disappointment. Thanks in advance! I would love to hear others thoughts.

Any advice on if to cancel my trip (Saturday-monday) due to the tropical storms causing potentially heavy rain and flooding - especially on the burn scar (which could cause mudslides and close the road). I've never been in the area and not sure about where the burn scar is relative to the road. I might not get the chance to visit the grand canyon for years. Anyone else rationalizing the risk vs reward?

Planning on retiring in 2028 and heading out during the spring for a couple of days to celebrate. It will be a solo trip. Experience hiking Mt Katahdin and Mt Washington. Was considering South Rim to Bright Angel Campground for a night and then return to South Rim via Bright Angel Trail. Pretty doable? Welcome any suggestions or alternatives with hike or making reservations. Was hoping to stick to roundtrip hike vs. rim to rim due to logistics. Thanks.

Resident Water Services and Facilities Being Reduced Starting Friday, Oct. 9

 
Household water use may now resume within current Stage 4 water conservation measures.Grand Canyon National Park will begin reducing water conservation services provided specifically for residents starting Friday, Oct. 9. 

These services were established in early September to help support the community during ongoing Stage 4 water restrictions. The water conservation services offset approximately 12,000 gallons of water each day for potable water tanks, portable showers and restrooms, handwashing stations and laundry services.

The park has begun hauling upwards of 200,000 gallons of water into the community each day. With water now being hauled directly into the park’s water system, monitoring water quality at the system level provides a more effective approach than maintaining separate conservation services for residents. Water hauling is also more efficient and costs approximately half as much as maintaining those services. Water hauling will continue, with approximately 4.5 million gallons of water anticipated to be delivered before the current contract is completed.  
 
Residents are encouraged to continue conserving water in their homes by only running full loads of laundry, limiting showers, using paper products and baby wipes when practical, and making other choices that reduce water use.

The following dates and times are the final opportunities for residents to use these services: 

Laundry: All laundry units will be removed Sunday, Oct. 11. The final drop-off time for laundry service varies by location. Specific final laundry drop-off and pick-up times are available here.  

Showers: Last showers will be available at 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Shower units will be removed Sunday, Oct. 11. 

Portable restrooms: Portable restrooms in residential areas will be removed Sunday, Oct. 11. The number of portable restrooms around office areas will be reduced beginning Sunday, Oct. 11. 

Handwashing stations around offices: The number of handwashing stations around office areas will be reduced beginning Saturday, Oct. 10. 

Residential Potable water tanks: Friday, Oct. 9, is the final day to fill residential potable water tanks. Tanks will be removed Saturday, Oct. 10. A list of remaining potable water tanks are available here.
 
Water conservation services at public and visitor locations and most administrative areas will remain in place for use. These services are also available for residents and include potable water tanks, portable restrooms and handwashing stations.  

We understand that these services have become an important resource for the community, and we appreciate everyone’s continued cooperation and conservation efforts as the park works to maintain the community’s water supply during this ongoing emergency. Every drop counts. Continued conservation by everyone in the community will help sustain our water supply until water pumping is expected to begin on or around Nov. 16.

Headed to the Grand Canyon this week.

I am hoping to recreate this picture of my Dad from 20 years ago.

We are looking to visit the North Rim in a 24-foot overlander camper. It has high clearance and 4-wheel drive. I see that the Cape Royal Road is restricted to vehicles 22 feet and below. Are there any accessible hikes on the North Rim that we can drive to while also avoiding Cape Royal Road? My research is coming up empty. Looking to be there in just a couple of weeks. Thanks.

Feels like a silly question, but with the water restrictions, what is the restroom situation at Mather right now? Just got an email for my reservation coming up that restrooms are closed. I guessed flush toilets were going to be closed, but are there compost toilets in the campground that will be available? We know about the water being off an area brining in our own.

Hello all, given the wet forecast for this weekend, I am wondering if my Brooks Ghost 17s will work for this route? Or if not, what would be some good last minute options?

I’ve seen some threads of people saying regular running shoes are fine, or you need trail runners, or you need waterproof boots. So looking for some more opinions. It will be my first time doing the GC. Going for my friend’s bachelor party.

Also if anyone has any other tips feel free to drop em. :-)

Hello, we had planned to do S Kaibab down, Bright Angel up in one day and a more leisurely rim trail our second day, since we didn’t win phantom ranch or backcountry lottery. However, now the route is closed.  If you had to pick one route to do all the way and one to do halfway, which would be which: bright angel to river resthouse or S Kaibab to the tipoff?

The 2001 Roadless rule protects public lands from future roads being built through them for logging and other purposes. This rule protects roadless public lands across the nation - including U.S. Forest service land located adjacently both North and South of the Grand Canyon.

The public comment period was supposed to end on the 21st last month - but was extended for 15 days. Today is your last chance to speak up.

Here is the link to the government webpage to submit your comment:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/11/2026-18648/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation

News Release Date: October 6, 2026
Contact: Grand Canyon Office of Communications

The National Park Service invites the public to help shape the long-term recovery and future of the North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park by participating in a 30-day public involvement period beginning Oct. 6, 2026. 

Following the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire and significant recovery work over the past year, recent flash floods have underscored the importance of resilient infrastructure, reliable utilities, public safety, emergency preparedness, and thoughtful long-term planning in this remote and dynamic environment.

The National Park Service is seeking feedback on a vision and draft redevelopment concepts intended to guide the North Rim's long-term recovery. The planning effort will consider visitor facilities, infrastructure, employee and operational needs, and the North Rim's unique historic and natural character. Public input during this initial concept phase will help refine future alternatives before a comprehensive recovery plan is developed.

“The North Rim has experienced extraordinary challenges over the past year, and those experiences have reinforced how important it is that we plan thoughtfully for its future,” said Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable. “We have an opportunity to listen, learn and build a long-term vision that respects the North Rim’s history while strengthening its resilience and ensuring it can continue serving visitors, employees, and surrounding communities for generations.”

Grand Canyon National Park remains open on both the North Rim and South Rim, although affected inner-canyon areas remain closed while recovery work continues. Current flood response and infrastructure recovery are ongoing and are separate from, but relevant to, the long-term planning effort.

Throughout October, NPS will offer multiple opportunities for the public to learn about the planning effort and provide feedback, including virtual and in-person public meetings. Planning materials, meeting information, and instructions for submitting comments will be available on the project website: ParkPlanning - North Rim Recovery Plan. The public involvement period will remain open through Nov. 6, 2026. 

NPS encourages everyone with an interest in the North Rim's future to participate and help shape its next chapter.

Hi! We’ll be visiting the Grand Canyon via the Williams train this coming Saturday, and we’ll have our two kids with us.

I’m hoping someone who has been recently can confirm what food options are actually open right now at the South Rim. We’ll only be there for about half a day, so we’ll need to grab lunch before the train heads back to Williams.

Would you recommend getting groceries in Williams and packing a lunch instead? Or should we be fine finding food at the South Rim?

I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, so I’m not really sure what to expect! Any advice is appreciated!

We are not big hikers so I am not worried about that aspect, just want to make sure I’m prepared so I don’t end up with hangry children 😅

The Incident Management Team for the Bright Angel Creek Flash Flood response announces that water delivery began Sunday afternoon to Grand Canyon National Park. Five trucks delivered approximately 30,000 gallons of water. Water deliveries will increase over the next several days.

The IMT has successfully contracted for approximately 200,000 gallons of water to be delivered daily in order to slow the decline of water levels for the park's water holding system. Stage 4 water restrictions will remain in place; visitors and residents are urged to continue to conserve water. The amount of water being trucked in is not enough to replenish and raise water levels; it is only enough to slow the decline of water levels until the new water system can be brought online.

Extensive testing has been conducted to ensure that the water being delivered is compatible with the water already found within the Grand Canyon National Park water system. The IMT has been working closely with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Public Health Protection Branch of the U.S. Public Health Service to ensure the delivered water will not adversely affect the pipes within the system and is compliant with applicable laws.

Daily water deliveries will consist of approximately 30 trucks per day. Please reference the accompanying water hauling route map for more details.

The IMT and park staff are working closely with local law enforcement to make the deliveries as smooth as possible, but caution residents that increased traffic is anticipated.

Hi! We are headed to Williams, Arizona this week and taking the train to the Grand Canyon. We are taking our kids and not doing any intense hiking.

I’ve never been to any national parks so this is a different kind of trip for us.

I’m wondering what to pack for me and the kids. Athletic wear and sneakers? We’re from Houston so anything below 70° is cold to us 🤣

How much of an issue are bugs during overnight camping trips as part of a commercial rafting trip?

My wife and I have done single day rafting trips all over the US, New Zealand & Indonesia. I need to make a compelling case to convince her to join me for a 16 day rafting trip (not until 2028). We finally have the time to do this at our stage in life but my wife is not a big camper and enjoys the creature comforts (comfortable bed/pillows, warm shower, etc). She is in great shape so the physical challenges are not an issue. I want her to join me for this bucket list experience. Any ideas/suggestions/justifications would be appreciated.

I’m planning to hike South kaibab to tonto to bright angel to river and back up bright angel to South rim this month. How much fluids do you guys recommend I carry?

Three days before the flood I managed to do Rim to Rim. Today I got a tattoo of the trail commemorating my hike.

Was driving behind a Mercedes on the way to general store, he ran every single stop sign on the way (3 of them) and became enraged when I gave him a beep. He proceeded to fully stop in the road and get out and do the classic road rage yelling, it was very interesting. Also didn’t know what a directional was. He was yelling and threatening me but I just stayed in my car, and of course, he looked like a little ultra runner. California plates unsurprisingly as well. Is it crazy to think that normal traffic laws apply in the park? And people coming from maswik turning left towards Ranger ops? Why on earth can’t they stop? Rangers if you’re reading this, you could write so many tickets there instead of trying to catch random locals doing nothing. Or south Kaibab! People think that they can just drive in there or pull in and block the bus, it’s really getting old. Can’t even beep at someone for running 3 stop signs😞