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Grand Canyon National Park
Critical Backcountry Updates: Including Trail Closures and Restrictions
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Drinking Water in the Cross-Canyon Corridor
date posted Oct 27, 2008
Purified drinking water is available at Bright Angel Campground and Indian Garden Campground. As always, the South Kaibab Trail is dry - no water of any kind.
The list below reflects seasonal changes and will be updated when water is turned on or off.
- North Kaibab Trailhead: water turned OFF
- Supai Tunnel: water turned OFF
- Roaring Springs Day Use Area: water turned on
- Cottonwood Campground: water turned OFF
- Bright Angel Campground: on year round (except when being repaired)
- Indian Garden: on year round (except when being repaired)
- Bright Angel Trail, 3-mile Resthouse: water turned OFF
- Bright Angel Trail, 1.5-mile Resthouse: water turned OFF
- Bright Angel Trailhead: water turned OFF
- South Kaibab Trailhead: water turned OFF
Water available on the South Rim at the Backcountry Information Center in the lobby. Water available on the North Rim outside the Backcountry Office.
Plan Ahead and Prepare: A backup method to treat water, should the pipeline break, must always be included as part of your first aid kit.
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North Rim
date posted Oct 16, 2008
Many of the park’s North Rim facilities closed for the season on October 15, 2008. The National Park Service will continue park operations (including North Rim Visitor Center/Bookstore and the Backcountry Permits Office) through Nov 30 or until snow closes Hwy 67, whichever comes first.
Starting Oct 16, campsites with limited services, such as portable toilets, will be available for a $12 fee on a first-come, first-served basis. Water will only be available outside the NPS administration office. Entrance and campground fees will continue to be collected as long as park operations are maintained.
Starting Dec 1 (or earlier if snow closes the highway), the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will not be accessible by vehicle until it reopens, tentatively mid-May 2009. Hikers and cross-country skiers will be permitted to use the park’s group campsites throughout the winter months if they have obtained a permit through the South Rim Backcountry Information Center or the Visitor Center at Pipe Springs National Monument.
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Hiking Podcast Updated
date posted Oct 14, 2008
The Backcountry Information Center has updated the Hiking Podcast with October 2008 updates: one for the Corridor Trails and one for the non-corridor trails. Visit the Grand Canyon Podcast Directory (www.nps.gov/grca/photosmultimedia/podcasts.htm) for more information or to subscribe. Additionally the updates can be heard on the Backcountry Audiocast page (www.nps.gov/grca/photosmultimedia/bc_audiocasts.htm). Transcripts of the updates are posted on the Backcountry Audiocast page.
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Arrival of the Fall Hiking Season and Increased Demand for Permits
date posted Sep 17, 2008
Signs of fall are everywhere along the rim of the canyon and the heat of summer has started to loosen its grip on the world of the inner canyon. The summer monsoon is on its last legs and the pattern of afternoon thundershowers is slowly giving way to the typical fall pattern of fine settled weather.
Daytime highs on the canyon floor have been running in the mid 90s F, nighttime lows in the 60s F, so the dire warnings of heat related injury have become a little less strident, although hikers will still need to factor the heat into their plans for the next few weeks. As the lower canyon becomes more hospitable demand for permits increases exponentially and advance reservations for the primary Corridor Campgrounds are long gone for the rest of September, and for October and early November. As a result, the waitlist for last minute Corridor Campground walk-up permits has become quite active. Hikers without a reservation should be prepared for a 2 or even 3-day wait before obtaining a walk-up permit.
The first step towards getting a last minute permit is to contact the Backountry Information Center in person upon arrival at the park to get on the waitlist and pick up a number that establishes your place in line for the next day. If you don't get a permit the first morning you try, you can roll your name to the following day and come back the next morning. In so doing you move higher up in the waitlist and increase your chance of obtaining a walk-up permit.
(visit the Backcountry Permit page and read the last minute permit and waitlist sections for more info)
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Drinking Water outside the Cross-Canyon Corridor
date posted Sep 5, 2008
Minimal water availability along the Tonto Trail between the Hermit Trail and Grandview Trail. The heat of summer has taken a toll at the ephemeral, seasonal springs along the Tonto Trail. As the result, hikers entering these areas will need to be keenly aware of the current water situation.
As of this date water along the Tonto is available at Hermit, Monument, Pipe, and Grapevine Creeks as well as the piped in drinking water at Indian Garden. Assume Cedar Spring, Horn Creek, Lonetree, Boulder and Cottonwood are dry at the Tonto Trail crossing through the end of October unless recent water reports indicate otherwise.
Hikers using the Tonto Trail during hot weather should check with the Backcountry Information Center for recent water reports before starting.
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2008 Fall Permits
date posted Aug 26, 2008
Apply for your permit at least 2 weeks prior to the start date to ensure consideration. Any remaining sites will be given out in person at the Backcountry Information Center. The advance reservation totals below do not include last-minute walk-up permits. (below numbers are from Aug 26)
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Bright Angel Campground (CBG) |
Indian Garden Campground (CIG) |
Cottonwood Campground (CCG) |
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| Sep 2008 |
100% full |
100% full |
100% full |
| Oct 2008 |
100% full |
100% full |
94% full |
| Nov 2008 |
77% full |
81% full |
37% full |
| Dec 2008 |
11% full |
10% full |
3% full |
North Kaibab trailhead not accessible by vehicle either after Nov 30 or when snow closes Hwy 67, whichever comes first.
* Chances of obtaining an advance reservation when a campground is more than 95% full is unlikely. The Backcountry Information Center recommends that you focus on obtaining a permit by using the waitlist. If a campground shows less than 90% full and it is more than two weeks prior to your intended start date, then you can submit a permit request by fax 24 hours a day.
Non-Corridor Permit Updates:
Options for hikers who are unable to obtain a permit in advance:
Last-Minute Permits: Several campsites in Bright Angel, Indian Garden, and Cottonwood Campgrounds are made available each morning for the next day. For best chance of success arrive at Grand Canyon National Park two or more days before you wish to backpack. Go to the Backcountry Information Center and get a waitlist number. Return to the Backcountry Information Center by 8 a.m. the next morning. Campsites are awarded to the lowest numbers present. Those who do not obtain a permit the first morning will receive a lower waitlist number for the following morning. (more info)
Day Hike: No permit needed to day hike. Weather and trail conditions are variable and change dramatically from one year to the next. Plan Ahead and Prepare. (more info)
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Hermit Trailhead (and Boucher Trailhead) Construction Closure Information
date posted Aug 26, 2008
Major construction involving Hermit Road and the Rim Trail west of Grand Canyon Village will impact access to the Hermit trailhead beginning April 1, 2008 and lasting through project completion, tentatively scheduled for fall 2008.
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).
September, October, and November: park shuttle bus will take hikers to the Hermit trailhead at following times (no pick-up).
- September: shuttle buses will leave the Backcountry Information Center at 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.
- October: shuttle buses will leave the Backcountry Information Center at 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
- November: shuttle buses will leave the Backcountry Information Center at 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
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.
The Backcountry Information Center will provide transportation to within a mile of the Waldron trailhead for those wishing to use this rugged, remote trail as an alternative to the upper section of the Hermit Trail. Contact the Backcountry Information Center the day before the hike is scheduled to start to arrange a dropoff near the Waldron trailhead. No pickup service is available so hikers exiting the Waldron Trail will have to hike an additional three miles from the Waldron trailhead to their own vehicle parked near Rowe Well Road.
More information about the Hermit Road construction project.
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Road Conditions for Remote Trailheads
date posted Jun 26, 2008
South: Access to remote south side trails such as the South Bass has eased considerably as unimproved road have dried out, but that could change if significant precipitation occurs so a last minute check at the Backcountry Information Center is recommended if conditions turn wet.
North: All of the North Rim backcountry areas are now open and accessible. As always, for any part of the North Rim backcountry road system, high clearance 4x4 vehicles are recommended for travel in these areas.
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South Kaibab Trailhead Access
date posted Apr. 17, 2008
Hikers must access the South Kaibab Trailhead by shuttle bus. A special "hiker express" shuttle leaves the Bright Angel Lodge and then picks up passengers at the Backcountry Information Center before going on to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Visit the Shuttle Buses page for schedules and more info.
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How to contact the Backcountry Information Center:
The South Rim Backcountry Information Center is open daily for walk-in visitors from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. The North Rim Backcountry Information Center is open daily mid-May to mid-October for walk-in visitors from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time). Beginning mid-October, the North Rim office is open daily from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. until November 30 or until snow closes Highway 67, whichever comes first. Once the North Rim office closes it does not reopen until mid-May.
Backcountry Information Center staff answer information telephone inquiries at 928-638-7875 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays. This telephone number is for information only.
Email the Backcountry Information Center
FAX number for permits is 928-638-2125
you can send a fax 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year - HOWEVER the first day of every month we receive many faxes and the number may be busy
- Mailing address is:
- Grand Canyon National Park
Backcountry Information Center
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon AZ, 86023
Backcountry Trip Planner (2mb PDF file): The information in this newspaper can assist you in obtaining a backcountry use permit.
Video: Hiking Grand Canyon, Prepare for Backpacking. This video is designed to help you plan for and enjoy your hike into the canyon's harsh, yet fragile, environment.
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