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Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
What's closed, open at Grand Canyon after wildfire destroyed North Rim lodge
The Grand Canyon's North Rim, the more remote and less visited part of the national park, is closed for the rest of its 2025 season after being ravaged by a wildfire. The Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim − the only lodging at the North Rim − and more than 70 other structures in the area. Smoke from the Dragon Bravo and nearby White Sage fires and extreme temperatures forced the closures of other parts of the Canyon, including Phantom Ranch, the North and South Kaibab trails and the Bright Angel Trail at Havasupai Garden. The park service said these areas are closed until further notice. Here's what to know about visiting Grand Canyon this summer and fall. The North Rim is closed for the rest of the 2025 season because the Dragon Bravo Fire, which is still uncontained, burned the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous other buildings, according to the National Park Service. The North Rim's season runs from May 15-Oct. 15 annually. The nearby White Sage Fire is also affecting areas bordering the North Rim. As of July 14, U.S. 89A is closed between Fredonia and Bitter Springs and evacuations are in effect for Jacob Lake, the closest town to the North Rim. The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will be closed for the rest of its 2025 season. Fire, smoke and weather conditions also have forced closures of parts of the inner canyon that will affect visitors to the South Rim, according to the National Park Service. Here's what's closed as of July 14: North Kaibab Trail and South Kaibab Trail. Rim-to-rim hikes cannot be attempted during the closure. Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Garden. Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground near the Colorado River. River runners are not to stop at Boat Beach. River Trail between Pipe Creek and the South Kaibab Trail. Tonto East between Havasupai Garden and the Tip Off. All backcountry routes and canyoneering routes stemming from the North Kaibab, South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails. The Phantom Ranch area at the bottom of Grand Canyon was evacuated on Sunday, July 13, because a water treatment plant at the North Rim damaged by fire was leaking chlorine gas. Chlorine gas exposure can cause lung damage and extremely high concentrations can lead to death, according to the National Library of Medicine. Phantom Ranch, the only lodging on the canyon bottom − an in-demand experience that requires entering a lottery 14 months ahead − will remain closed "until a thorough assessment of the area is complete, and we have confirmation it is safe to reopen," said Deborah Park, a spokesperson with Xanterra Travel Collection, the concessionaire that operates the lodge at Phantom Ranch. Xanterra's guest services department is working with people whose reservations were affected, "including details on alternative lodging arrangements," Park said. This is not the first time Phantom Ranch closed to guests in 2025; it was closed from January through March because of maintenance work on the Transcanyon Waterline, which delivers water to the inner canyon and South Rim. Yes. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, operated by Aramark, burned down along with an estimated 70 other buildings. Aramark told The Arizona Republic that all lodge reservations have been canceled and customers will receive full refunds to the original form of payment. They should expect refunds to be processed in 14 to 21 business days because of the high volume of reservations. Aramark issued this statement on the lodge's website, "As stewards of some of our country's most beloved national treasures, we are devastated by the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous other historic buildings at the Grand Canyon's North Rim. We are grateful that all our employees and guests have been safely evacuated, and we join the National Park Service in mourning the loss of these iconic and beloved structures. "We are deeply grateful to all who have chosen Grand Canyon Lodge as their basecamp of exploration and adventure. Each guest helped make Grand Canyon Lodge more than just a destination, but a place filled with life-long memories. It is with heavy hearts that we share this devastating news. We know that Grand Canyon Lodge has meant as much to so many of you as it has to us." "For those with upcoming reservations, our teams will be reaching out within the next 24 hours with details about cancellations and next steps." "Thank you for your support and being a part of the Grand Canyon Lodge story." Get the Arizona news you need. Sign up for AZ Briefing from azcentral. Most of the South Rim of Grand Canyon remains open. It has numerous hotels, restaurants, scenic view points and hiking trails. Xanterra hotels at the South Rim, including historic El Tovar Hotel and the Bright Angel, Kachina, Thunderbird and Maswik lodges, remain open. Do you have photos or video of the Grand Canyon Lodge to share on We'd love to see them and share with readers. Send it to us at our video-photo upload site. Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grand Canyon wildfires: What's closed, open in the park
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
Wildfires that forced Grand Canyon evacuations spread unabated
A pair of rapidly growing wildfires in northern Arizona that have forced the temporary closure of parts of Grand Canyon National Park and prompted evacuations were burning uncontained on Saturday. The bigger of the two, the White Sage Fire, originated Wednesday about 15 miles southeast of Fredonia, Arizona, after a thunderstorm moved through the area, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. As of late Saturday, it had burned more than 19,000 acres near the unincorporated community of Jacob Lake, and firefighting efforts had not achieved containment.
