Closures / Alternative Activities

Jump to: Construction Schedule/ Road Closures  
Recreation Options: Day Hiking Recreation Options: Overnight Backpacking
Visitor Transportation Alternative Routes/ Opportunities

The entire length of Hermit Road is now closed to all vehicles beyond the Hermit Road intersection with Village Loop Road.

Grand Canyon National Park is repaving and improving the seven-mile long historic Hermit Road, located on the South Rim between Grand Canyon Village and Hermits Rest.

Background

Hermit Road and most of its associated overlooks and parking areas are historic, designed and constructed in 1934-1935 by the Bureau of Public Roads and the National Park Service. These structures retain a high degree of integrity. However, overall road condition is poor and does not meet current safety standards. The 18 to 20-foot-wide road is too narrow for safe bus passage, especially when bicyclists and pedestrians are on the road, which occurs because existing trails are inadequate for both pedestrians and bicycles. Although the road has received some periodic maintenance, it was never built for the size of vehicles and volume of traffic it receives today.

Road rehabilitation and construction will include road widening and resurfacing to a consistent width of 24 feet, improvements to shuttle bus stops at overlooks, provision for accessible pedestrian routes from shuttle bus stops to viewing areas, and improvements to approximately five miles of rim trails, including a three-mile, multi-use greenway.

Hermit Road is a popular destination for South Rim visitors with

Construction Schedule and Road Closures

Construction activities will begin in February, 2008, and are expected to be completed by the end of November, 2008. The eastern portion of the road will remain open to traffic and trail use through July 7. Closures will occur as follows:

• July 7, 2008: The entire length of Hermit Road is now closed to all vehicles beyond the Hermit Road intersection with Village Loop Road. In addition the Rim Trail will be closed beyond Trailview Overlook I. Periodic trail closures closer to the intersection may occur when construction activities take place near the trail or near the trail access.

Recreation Options During Hermit Road Closures

Day Hiking Opportunities

Trails descending into Grand Canyon are difficult. The National Park Service reminds all hikers to take into account and evaluate the following variables prior to hiking: personal fitness, elevation of trailhead and elevation change during the hike; distance; time of year and associated weather (especially lightning and heat). Talk to a ranger and read the free Hike Smart brochure available at all visitor contact stations prior to any hike. It is recommended that all first time hikers and visitors new to hiking at Grand Canyon attempt their first hike on either the Rim Trail or the upper Bright Angel Trail. 

Rim Trail (from east to west)

·     Pipe Creek Vista to Hermit Road Interchange (3.75 mi / 6 km): open year round. Visitors can reach this section of paved trail at several parking lots and up to six stops served by the Village and Kaibab Trail shuttle bus routes.

·     Hermit Road Interchange to Trailview Overlook I (.7 mi/ 1.1 km):  This section of paved trail is steep at times. Trailview Overlook I can be reached by Hermits Rest Route shuttle bus from April 1 to July 6 (after July 7 by foot only). The Hermit Road Interchange is served by the Village Route shuttle bus.

·     Trailview Overlook I to Hopi Point (1.5 mi/ 2.4 km):  This section of trail starts paved and turns to dirt and gravel. This section of the trail will be closed from July 7 through the end of November. Access from April 1 to July 6 by Hermits Rest Route shuttle bus. 

·     Hopi Point to Hermits Rest: April through end of November—closed to all vehicles and day hiking.

Inner Canyon

·     Bright Angel Trail can be reached by shuttle bus and private vehicle. Recommended turn around point for prepared hiker: 1½-mile Rest House (3 miles round trip) or 3-mile Rest House. Recommended turn around for prepared intermediate hiker: Indian Gardens (9 miles round trip). Potable water available mid-May through mid-October. More hiking alternatives and information available in the park newspaper, The Guide.

·     South Kaibab Trail can be reached by the Kaibab Trail shuttle bus route. Recommended turn around for average hiker: Cedar Ridge (3 miles r/t). Recommended turn around for intermediate hiker: Skeleton Point (6 miles r/t). No water. More hiking alternatives are listed in The Guide.  

·     Grandview Trail can be reached by the Desert View shuttle bus route (July 7 – Labor Day, September 1, 2008) and by private vehicle year round. Day hiking alternatives are listed in The Guide. No water. This trail is much more difficult than the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails. Do not attempt to day hike to Horseshoe Mesa and return unless you are prepared (water/ food).

·     Visit the Backcountry Information Center to learn about other inner canyon day hiking opportunities.

Overnight Backpacking Opportunities

Grand Canyon trails can be difficult. Extreme caution should be used during June, July and, August, when temperatures can exceed 110 degrees. Some experienced hikers do not venture into the canyon during these months! All hikers are reminded to take into account and evaluate the following variables prior to hiking: personal fitness, elevation of trailhead and elevation change during the hike, distance, time of year, and weather (especially lightning and heat). Talk to a ranger and read the free Hike Smart brochure available at all visitor contact stations prior to any hike. All overnight backpacking trips require a backcountry permit. Consult the park’s website for additional information: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm

Inner Canyon

Hermit Trail: All backcountry permit holders hiking into the canyon via the Hermit Trail are required to use an alternate trail to complete their hike. Hikers will not be allowed to hike out via the Hermit Trail. Access to Hermit Trailhead will be limited to free early morning shuttle buses (drop off only).  

June, July, and August: No access by foot or vehicle.

September, October, and November: park shuttle bus will take hikers to the Hermit Trailhead at following times (no pick-up).

Note: Restrooms are available near the Hermit Trailhead.

Alternate Trails: During construction, access will be limited to the Hermit Basin. Visitors wishing to obtain backcountry permits are encouraged to use alternate trails and safe backcountry itineraries. Please refer to the Backcountry Trip Planner (2.10MB PDF File) and talk with a park ranger at the Backcountry Information Center or at the visitor center at Canyon View Information Plaza for additional guidance and information.

Visitor Transportation Alternative Routes / Opportunities

During normal operations, the National Park Service offers free shuttle bus service to eight overlooks along Hermit Road, including a stop at Hermits Rest and the Hermit Trailhead. While Hermit Road is under construction, free shuttle buses will provide a number of options to other park locations. The following tables present these changes and alternative routes by month, and by route with corresponding schedules.

Xanterra Tour Bus Alternative Routes / Opportunities

Park concessionaire Xanterra currently offers guided bus tours to visitors and Grand Canyon Railway passengers. Hermit Road is the destination for some of these tours. Changes and alternative routes are as follows:

Jump back to: Construction Schedule/ Road Closures  
Recreation Options: Day Hiking Recreation Options: Overnight Backpacking
Visitor Transportation Alternative Routes/ Opportunities