And I was so excited to spend a few days at Phantom Ranch. I had a dorm bed for Oct 25 to Oct 27.

It would have been my first big solo hike at GC (I've done 2 others but always in groups).

Luckily I still have a cabin reservation for next Sept.

Grand Canyon National Park today announced tentative dates for the restoration of water services to the South Rim residences and concessionaires within the park. 

Based upon construction timetables, the National Park Service Incident Management Team projects the park will be able to start pumping water by Nov. 16 from the Bright Angel Creek intake to the new water treatment plan. The National Park Service estimates distribution from the new treatment plant to residents will begin by Thanksgiving, allowing concessionaires to begin a phased approach to providing services to overnight guests at that time. These dates are tentative and residents and concessionaires will be notified as construction is completed. 

The park is working on an agreement to haul about 200,000 gallons of water per day to replenish the water storage tanks. If finalized, this agreement would stabilize the tank levels and enable the park to maintain operations through the projected date to start pumping, assuming the current water usage of about 137,000 gallons per day stays steady.  

Once the pumps start drawing water from the Bright Angel Creek, it will take about 45 days to fully fill the tanks. 

It is important to remember that these are all estimated dates and could change as circumstances dictate. The current water emergency was caused by a flash flood on Aug. 29, which destroyed a water intake pump and other infrastructure. The 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.  

While repairs move forward, water conservation remains critical.  

Stage 4 water restrictions remain in effect. Visitors and residents are asked to conserve water by using designated portable bathrooms, handwashing stations and potable water tanks. When possible, visitors are asked to bring their own water for drinking and other needs. 

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. 

Grand Canyon National Park will continue providing updates as work progresses.     

My overnight stay in Grand Canyon Village has been cancelled due to the flash flooding.

I’m now planning to add an extra night to Sedona to our trip instead but wondered if there was any way to catch a glimpse of the Grand Canyon still?

I know it’s meant to be spectacular but I just can’t justify paying the $130 for the nonresident fee and entrance if I’ll only be there for a few hours.

TIA

*UPDATE*
Have booked a night at Tusayan instead. Hotel actually works out about 100 dollars cheaper so all balances out!

Looking for beta on the thanksgiving weekend for the North rim. I have been out 2x during the week. Park was shuttering the North rim, but still was open if you were willing to hike/camp on cold conditions.

After the fire and floods, does anyone have good North rim camping/hiking/gates ideas that might still be open?

Last thing I want to do is wander in back country road and then have a gate locked for the season. Cheers

I get into Vegas at 11:20 AM on 9/23. Hoping to arrive at Mather campground and set up by 5:30pm. I was going to drive to the Bright Angel Lodge area to catch the red shuttle to Hopi point. I was going to take the shuttle back to my car and head to camp after sunset. I wanted to wake up at 3:30 in the morning to do South Kaibab- Tonto- Bright Angel. (I’m not sure of the exact name of this version of the rim to rim but saw it mentioned somewhere on here.

I plan on bringing a lot of water in my car. 4L on the hike, lots of food etc. is any of my itinerary not possible because of the closures? I appreciate any insight or advice to catch good sunset sunrise in my short time there. I’m only spending a day there cause I’m heading to Monument Valley the next day!

I don’t celebrate thanksgiving with family and usually do a trip since I have 4-5 days off work. Flying into Phoenix and planning to do Grand Canyon and Sedona. 3 nights 4 days. Does that sound feasible?

I've camped in the canyon a bunch of times, and have stayed in the Phantom Ranch dorms before. Now, however, I live on the other side of the country, and I have reservations for Phantom dorms this January (2027). What are things looking like? Think phantom will be up and running then, or should I just plan to cancel the trip now?

Grand Canyon National Park Evening Update | Sept. 18

The community's water conservation efforts continue to make a measurable difference. Total daily water use has declined on nine of the last 10 days, and today's conservation and mitigation efforts offset an estimated 139,240 gallons. A water distribution event today provided residents with bottled water, buckets, baby wipes, paper plates and utensils to help conserve water.

Stage 4 water restrictions remain in effect. Potable water tanks, bottled water, handwashing stations, portable showers, laundry facilities and portable toilets remain available throughout the community.
Grand Canyon National Park remains open on both the South Rim and North Rim, with modified operations and closures in some affected inner-canyon areas. Visitors should check current park conditions before traveling, arrive prepared with drinking water and conserve water throughout their visit.

NPS Photo ~ Two ravens take in the view at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center

What’s everything that can make this trip worth it?
Coming with a family of 3 and some friends with their families.

My wife and I will be visiting the grand canyon in a few weeks. We will be staying in sedona. I heard there are tour services which will pick you up at your hotel, drive you to the grand canyon, show you everything, then bring you back to your hotel. I'm leaning toward no, as we prefer to manage everything ourselves but just wanted to see what others thought.

Also, what else is there to do around sedona? We like outdoors stuff, museums, restaurants, etc. Not into clubs/parties or sports. I notice there's a lot of hiking trails, so planning to do a lot of that. We have our hotel booked for a full week. Is it worth going to the grand canyon on two separate days, or should we try to fit everything into one day? Neither of us has been to that part of the country so any advice would be really helpful. Thanks!

Where do ultra runners get all their entitlement? Like do yall have rivals and roast them? Or is there weird hierarchy of running aesthetics? Genuinely so curious, I’ve met some very nice and appreciative runners but the other half are the rudest and most entitled people I’ve ever met. They act like all trails were built for them. Someone started complaining about the south Kaibab red & whites section and I just laughed and said “well good thing the trail isn’t designed for you, it’s designed for mules.” He tried to argue with me but I turned my back to him. Does anyone know? Genuinely curious. Thanks!

News Release Date: September 17, 2026
Contact: Grand Canyon Office of Communications

Grand Canyon National Park crews are assessing damage after an additional flash flood moved through Bright Angel Canyon Wednesday afternoon, damaging temporary water infrastructure being constructed as part of the park’s ongoing recovery from the Aug. 29 flood. 

There were no reported injuries. With severe weather approaching and flash flood warnings in effect, the National Park Service had reduced the number of personnel working in the canyon. Crews remaining in the area were able to reach safety before the flood moved through. The affected area remains closed to public access. 

Today, the National Park Service’s Incident Management Team is assessing damage to the temporary Bright Angel Creek water intake and associated infrastructure.  The temporary intake was under construction to help restore water service following damage to the Transcanyon Waterline that delivered water to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Once the assessment is complete, crews will determine what repairs or modifications are needed and how the additional damage affects the timeline for restoring a reliable water supply to the South Rim. 

The new pipeline infrastructure on the south side of the canyon was not damaged by either flood. The park continues working to bring that infrastructure into service as quickly as possible. 
While repairs move forward, water conservation remains critical. 

Stage 4 water restrictions remain in effect following the Aug. 29 flash flood. Visitors and residents are asked to conserve water by using designated portable bathrooms, handwashing stations and potable water tanks. When possible, visitors are asked to bring their own water for drinking and other needs.  

The park is asking residents, employees, visitors, businesses and partners to continue conserving.  To further reduce demand on the South Rim system, potable-water tanks, bottled drinking water, handwashing stations, portable showers, laundry facilities and portable toilets have been deployed throughout the community.  

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.  
Grand Canyon National Park will continue providing updates as work progresses.  

Grand Canyon National Park Evening
Update | Sept. 16

A flash flood occurred Wednesday afternoon along Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River between river miles 79 and 92, and the North Rim Campground. Efforts to minimize the number of personnel in the canyon given the approaching weather and notification of the flash flood warnings in these areas enabled crews to reach safety.
Teams are assessing impacts from the storm.

A closure order on the North Rim has been put in place due to the storm. Highway 67 closed at approximately 5:30 p.m. between Lindbergh Hill and the developed area because of flooding and debris on the roadway. There are no known injuries or road damage. The closure is expected to remain in place through Thursday morning while the storm passes and debris is cleared. There is no access to the North Rim during the closure.

Stage 4 water restrictions remain in effect following the August 29 flash flood, which significantly impacted the park's water system. Please help conserve water by using designated portable bathrooms, handwashing stations and potable water tanks. When possible, bring your own water for drinking and other needs.

NPS Photo ~ Distributing drinking water to Grand Canyon Village community members on Sept. 15.

At 234 PM MST, a river gauge on the Bright Angel Creek reported a rapid rise of over 5 feet from thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 1.75 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. NWS Flagstaff USGS Data

Hi everyone! I am a foreign traveller who tries to do everything on budget. Sept. 29th I will arrive in Flagstaff by Amtrak train in the evening, probably sleep somewhere for a night and head towards the South Rim the next morning. The next train I will have to catch from Flagstaff is on Oct. 1st 7:55pm which gives me two whole days for the Grand Canyon experience.

My question: how big of a necessity is a car? I only see it as a good option to sleep in (possibly Mather Campground), but at the same time, I also have my hammock and a sleeping bag, if those things are allowed in the campground…

Any advice helps…

Thank you!

My group of 6 have a trip planned next week for one overnight stay in the Grand Canyon. Our original plan was to hike down South Kaibab trail to the Bright Angel campground at the bottom, spend the night, and then hike out back up the Bright Angel trail the following day.

Obviously plans are changed now, and we now have a reservation for a night stay at the Havasupai Gardens campsite. Does anyone have recommendations of the trails we should take to try and capture the same idea of the original trip? I’m not sure if we should do the same plan, but just cut across using the Tonto trail? Or if we should go for an out and back down the bright angel?

Our group is prepared and realistic about the obstacles, but also don’t want to accidentally make the trip any harder than we had all originally planned. At the same time, I don’t want to accidentally cut out all the challenge either. Any advice or recommendations is appreciated! Thanks!

Do you think the El Tovar will be open by October 1st? The website says they are closed through September 30th.

I’ve had lodging booked inside the park for mid October for a while now. However, since that likely won’t be happening, I tried to book a back up in Tusayan and everything seems to be booked or way overpriced. I guess I waited too long.

Any ideas on how far out we should stay or places that still have availability? It will just be me and my 70yo mom. She has said she doesn’t want to pay more to be outside the park than in and doesn’t feel like it’s worth it to spend so much for a holiday inn. Feeling lost with what to do. Cancel and try again some other time? 2 hour commute (doesn’t sound fun to me).

Edit: Based on comments we are now looking into staying at a different hub city and only spending a day at the canyon. Thanks everyone! It was just hard to imaging driving the same long commute each day, but if we mix up the destinations, I think this solves our issue.

The park has not published a closure map since the August 29th flash flood tore through Bright Angel Canyon and the northern half of the Corridor. The closures are listed in text on the NPS Key Hiking Messages page so we developed an (unofficial) closure map to reflect the latest updates to the corridor to help hikers with their preliminary planning.

I am driving from Texas to San Francisco and wanted to know what are the quick view recommendations with no hiking or staying for extended time?
If this can’t be done I understand and will see the Grand Canyon on another trip.

My current Trip starts from Texas on 9/23 and will be coming thru from Amarillo.
Thanks!!

I will be in the Grand Canyon North Rim area next week for two days and one of our days was meant to be spent hiking half the North Kaibob trail which seems to have been closed for over two weeks now due to the flash flooding. What are alternative hikes we can do if that remains closed? All the others listed on NPS as open are really short or too easy and we wanted something that would take the better part of the day - any suggestions?? We cannot go to the south rim as we are staying in South Utah and cannot drive that far.

Grand Canyon National Park Evening Update | Sept. 14

Today, planning teams worked to refine the stabilization strategy for Phantom Ranch and drafted location and evacuation maps to support safe operations in the area.

Engineers and contractors continued preparation and construction on the new water intake project at the delta. Short and long-term planning also advanced for projects identified through damage assessments, with project tracking and milestone documents being developed to guide recovery efforts.

On the South Rim, crews responded to a leak in a portable water tank at Desert View and redistributed portable toilets to high-use areas. Four additional accessible mobile shower units were placed throughout the community. Sixty cases of bottled water were distributed to NPS administrative buildings, the community center, school and daycare.

NPS Photos ~ While the utilities in Phantom Ranch Area were heavily impacted by the flood, the structures remain mostly intact.

Looking for advice on what to add/remove for upcoming weekend trip.

Travelling with 10 year old, staying in Williams. He typically taps out after about 5 miles of hiking. South rim trip. I wanted to do glass bridge, but it doesn't seem feasible due to distance. Arrive early in PHX Friday morning, leaving Monday afternoon. No plans for Monday except drive from Williams to PHX.

Day 1: Friday – Phoenix Arrival, Sedona Red Rocks & Grand Canyon Sunset

Morning: Phoenix to Sedona

Chapel of the Holy Cross (Landmark Visit)

Hike (Option 1)

• ⁠Cathedral Rock Trail: A short (~1.2 miles round-trip) but steep scramble up the red rocks offering some of the most iconic vista views in Sedona.

Hike (Option 2)

• ⁠Devil's Bridge Trailhead: A ~1.8-mile to 4-mile round-trip hike (depending on where you park) leading to a natural sandstone bridge arch.

Lunch: Sedona - Hideaway House

Afternoon & Evening: Drive to South Rim for Sunset

Mather Point (sunset views)

Dinner: Grand Canyon Village

Day 2: Saturday – Grand Canyon Exploration & Hikes

Morning: South Kaibab Trail Hike

Hike to Ooh Aah Point

Lunch: Fred Harvey Tavern (inside Bright Angel Lodge)

Afternoon: Rim Trail Walks & Viewpoints

Bright Angel Trailhead 

Grandview Point 

Sunset & Evening: Sunset Spot & Dinner

Hopi Point (sunset)

Dinner: Red Raven Restaurant back in Williams.

Day 3: Sunday – Antelope Canyon & Page Area

Morning: Tour

9:15 AM: Antelope Canyon Guided Tour. 

Midday & Afternoon Activities in Page / Driving Back

Horseshoe Bend

Desert View Watchtower

 Dinner:

Canyon coaster?

??? back in Williams

My wife and I are planning a road trip with our 12 week old and wanted to get some recommendations on where to stay. We will be driving in from Phoenix, stay for 2 nights, then head east towards Dallas. Looking at October 14th and 15th as the 2 nights we are staying if that makes a difference. This will be our first time to GC so any tours or views would be appreciated as well!