GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — North Rim operations will begin seasonal shutdown of most visitor services Oct. 16. The North Rim will remain open to visitors until closing for winter Dec. 1 or when snow closes state Highway 67 leading into the park.
Regularly scheduled ranger-led programs will continue through Oct. 15 with the final evening program beginning at 8 p.m. that night. Beginning Oct. 16, the North Rim Visitor Center will be staffed daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Oct. 24.
The Grand Canyon Lodge, operated by Forever Resorts, will continue to take reservations through Oct. 15. The last meal served at the Grand Canyon Lodge will be breakfast on the morning of Oct. 16, which ends at 10 am. The Grand Canyon Lodge gift shop will remain open daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m. through Dec. 1.
Self-service gas and diesel fuel will continue to be available in the park through Dec. 1 or until state Highway 67 closes. Canyon Trail Rides will offer their last mule rides Oct. 15.
Visitor entrance and campground fees will be collected by rangers through Oct. 31. Beginning Nov. 1 and going through Dec. 1, entrance fees are paid at the automated fee machine located behind the visitor center. Entrance fees are $30 per vehicle, $25 for motorcycles and $15 for walk-ups and bicycles, all good for seven days for both the North and South rims.
North Rim campground sites are available by reservation through Oct. 31. Campground reservations are booked online or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Nov. 1 through May 15, the North Rim Campground reverts to primitive use with backcountry reservations required. Reservations can be obtained from the Backcountry Information Center and are necessary prior to arrival.
The North Rim Backcountry Information Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week through Oct. 31. The South Rim Backcountry Information Center remains open year-round and can be reached by email or by calling 928-638-7875.
Beginning Nov. 1 and going through Dec. 1, or until snow closes state Highway 67, the park will remain open from dawn to dusk for day use. Weather and road conditions permitting, visitors will have access to Bright Angel Point, Point Imperial and Cape Royal, as well as the North Kaibab trailhead.
Inner canyon users with a valid backcountry permit will be allowed to park overnight at the North Kaibab trailhead. A limited number of campsites at the North Rim Campground will be available to hikers with advanced reservations. A backcountry permit is required and will be available through the South Rim Back Country Information Center. No overnight parking or car camping will be allowed.
The North Rim will close for the season at 8 a.m. Dec. 1. Hikers and cross-country skiers will still be able to enter the North Rim of the park through the winter months with valid backcountry permits.
The Kaibab Lodge, located four miles north of the park boundary, will have full service through Oct. 20, closing at 10 a.m. Oct. 21. The North Rim Country Store, located across the street from the Kaibab Lodge, will remain open until noon Oct. 30, weather permitting.
Jacob Lake Inn, a restaurant and gas station located 45 miles from the North Rim, remains open year-round. Beginning Oct. 17 through Dec. 31, the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center at Jacob Lake will be open on weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Arizona Department of Transportation officials intend to keep state Highway 67 open through Dec. 1, but a major storm with heavy snowfall could close the road earlier.
After Oct. 15, visitors should be prepared for winter driving and travel conditions and are encouraged to call Arizona Highway Information at 888-411-7623 in advance of their trip to check on the status of state Highway 67. Visitors to the area are reminded that state Highway 89A remains open year-round.
The South Rim and inner canyon facilities of Grand Canyon National Park are open year-round. Additional Park information can be obtained by calling 928-638-7888 or by visiting the park website.
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