Join the Superintendent’s Office every Wednesday at 11 a.m. to hear the latest updates on Grand Canyon National Park news and operations. This call is typically led by either Superintendent Ed Keable, deputy superintendents Louis Rowe or Brian Drapeaux. This is a great opportunity for community members and employees to bring their questions and comments to the Superintendent’s Office.

Community, Stakeholder, and Employee Call

Every Wednesday, 11 a.m.

Call in: 877-491-6221

Passcode: 7074828#

Grandview Tower/310 Rd. to close beginning Oct. 30

The Grandview Tower Road (aka the Forest Service 310 Rd. from Hwy. 64 leading south to Kaibab National Forest boundary) will be closed to public access beginning Monday, October 30. This closure is necessary to begin long-overdue reconstruction to the roadbed and improve drainage prior to the winter season.

Due to the current state of the road and the reconstruction being performed, no vehicles will be allowed to access the Kaibab National Forest or the park via this section of roadway. Individuals who have valid hunting and wood gathering permits may continue to access the forest through the Town of Tusayan. A full flyer on this closure is available here.

Atoko Point prescribed fire continues on North Rim

Fire managers from Grand Canyon National Park, the Kaibab National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management are working together to treat approximately 1,700 acres on the Atoko Point unit. They plan to continue burning through October 31.

Fire is a natural and healthy part of our ecosystem, and slow-burning, low-intensity fires help to minimize overgrowth and restore nutrients to the soil. There are over 1,700 species of plants and trees in the park, many of which are fire-adapted, meaning they need periodic fires to thrive. A good example is the majestic ponderosa pines, whose cones open up to expose their seeds in response to fire.

Prescribed burns are carefully planned and initiated only under very specific conditions to ensure public and firefighter safety and to maximize the ecological benefit to the landscape.

To learn more about the Atoko Point burn, visit our website.

To learn more about how Grand Canyon National Park utilizes fire to maintain the land, you can visit our Fire Management page.

Desert View Cultural Demonstrators

There will be three cultural demonstrators at Desert View Watchtower Tuesday, October 31through Thursday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Alphonso John is a Navajo jeweler. He began making jewelry professionally in 2012, and makes necklaces and bracelets with glass, leather, and silver (top left).

Gloria Chee is a Navajo carver and beader who makes folk art and Ye’ii dolls (top right). She prefers cottonwood for her carvings.

Leo Chee is a Navajo carver and silversmith and has been making jewelry for over 20 years (bottom).

Kelkiyana Yazzie

Tribal Program Coordinator

Ya’a’teeh shi ei Kelkiyana Yazzie yinishye’. Bit’ahnii nishli, Lokaa’ Dine’e bashishchiin, Bilagaana dashicheii, Tabaaha’ dashinali. (Hello my name is Kelkiyana Yazzie. I am Folded Arm People Clan and born for the Reed People Clan. My maternal grandfather is Euro-American, and my paternal grandfather is Water’s Edge Clan).

I grew up in a traditional Navajo household in the small community of Shonto, AZ which is about 2.5 hours from the park on the Navajo Nation. I previously worked at Navajo National Monument as an interpretive park ranger guiding cliff dwelling tours. In 2021, I received my master’s degree from NAU in Parks and Recreation Management while participating in the NPS Student Pathways Program which helped me transition to a permanent position here at GRCA. I love traveling and visiting home on the Navajo Nation during my weekends to spend time with my family and my dog, Anakin.

How long have you worked at GRCA? Where are you based out of?

I have worked at GRCA for 2 years as a member of the South Rim Village Interpretation team and recently accepted a position with the park’s tribal program. I work from an office upstairs at Park HQ where all are welcome to drop by.

What have you enjoyed the most about working and/or living at GRCA so far? What are you looking forward to most in your new position?

Working and living at Grand Canyon has provided me many opportunities to connect to my Dine’ heritage. One of my favorite experiences has been joining the Navajo Nation Cultural Monitoring River Trip. On the river, I worked with representatives from the Navajo Tribe (including tribal government officials and cultural practitioners), U.S. Forest Service, USGS, and BOR to help assess ancestral sites along the Colorado River. I learned so much about my culture and yearn to see more tribal members active in the canyon we call home.

I hope in my new position as the Tribal Program Coordinator, I can help GRCA and other parks become spaces where Indigenous Voices are part of everyday conversations and an integral part of park management. Our tribal communities deserve to be acknowledged, recognized, and appreciated for our generations of knowledge, resilience, and presence that has existed on these lands since time immemorial. Ahe’hee’, thank you!

Interested in a federal job with the NPS?

Employment Workshop November 7 at Albright Training Center

In the coming months, Albright Training Center will be hiring several positions for housekeepers, maintenance workers, administration, and more!

On Thursday, November 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., join Albright staff to hear more about job opportunities and start preparing your resume.

This event will have three sessions including a tour of Albright, how to find and apply for federal jobs, and federal resume writing. You can join all sessions or just the ones you are interested in.

More information with specific times for each session can be found in the attached flyer here.

All COVID safety protocols outlined in the DOI and NPS COVID Workplan Guidance are still required. Be sure to promptly report any illness, to include COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID test to your supervisor and NPS Public Health Consultant, Ronan King, at 202-891-8599.

South Rim District Report available

See what South Rim Patrol has been up to by reading the latest South Rim District Report below!

• South Rim District Report ending 10-07-2023

Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon and 5K

Next Saturday, November 4, the non-profit group Run Tucson will be hosting a half marathon and a 5K run starting in Tusayan at 8 a.m.

The courses will start in front of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center in Tusayan. Both courses will be a loop through Kaibab National Forest land just south of the park. A portion of the proceeds from registration fees and donations will go toward the Grand Canyon Food Pantry and the Tusayan Fire Department.

You can get 20% off registration by entering the code “NationalPark” when you register. Several hotels in Tusayan will also offer discounts to race participants.

Halloween Carnival at Grand Canyon School October 28

Grand Canyon School and the High School Student Council will be hosting the All Hallows Halloween Carnival on October 28 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be a haunted house, activity booths, and games for all ages. Be sure to wear your costume!

If you are interested in having a booth there, you can contact rrobertson@grandcanyonschool.org.

Community Blood Drive in Tusayan October 28

The Tusayan Fire District will again be hosting a community blood drive through Vitalant on Saturday, October 28 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.. Appointments are suggested, and to schedule, individuals can visit www.donors.vitalant.org.

More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.

Park Circle Trick-or-Treat rescheduled for October 31

Local trick-or-treating on Park Circle has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 31 from 4:30-7 p.m. As in previous years, NPS Rangers will be present in and around Park Circle.

Park Circle will be closed to all non-residential traffic and suggested hours are from 4:30-7 p.m. for all trick-or-treating activities. These hours are suggested in order to ensure resident’s and children’s safety in periods of low light or darkness. A full flyer for the event can be found here.

Tusayan Trunk-or-Treat October 31

On Halloween, Tuesday, October 31 – the Town of Tusayan will be hosting their annual “Trunk or Treat” in the front parking lot of the Tusayan Fire District from 5-9 p.m.

Residents can park their vehicles with candy in their trunks to create a safe and convenient trick-or-treating experience for kids and families.

The town asks that if you wish to participate, please call them ahead of time so they can plan for the appropriate number of vehicles. You can reach them at 928-638-9909.

For more information, visit the Town of Tusayan’s website.

Inner Canyon water station winterization begins October 30

On Monday, Oct. 30, water at the 1.5 Mile and 3-Mile rest houses on the Bright Angel Trail will be shut off for the winter season and allow for preparation of the construction work on the BA line.

Water at the North Kaibab Trailhead was turned off on Wednesday, October 25. Water is still available at the North Rim Administrative Building.

For the most up to date information on inner canyon water status, visit our Critical Backcountry Updates page.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-10 p.m.
• Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Burger, Breakfast 6-10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Arizona Steakhouse within Bright Angel Lodge-dinner 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily, lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge-Breakfast, 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner, 4:30-9:30 p.m., Lounge, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Patio (limited menu), 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• The Grand Canyon Kennel, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

Delaware North

• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6:30 a.m. -3 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7-10 a.m., dinner, 5-8 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Mather Camp Store: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Kolb Studio, Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 6-8 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Closet: Monday and Wednesday from 12-2 p.m. (new location is inside the Community Library)
• Canyon Community Yoga at Grand Canyon Rec Center: Mondays-6-7 p.m., Wednesdays-6:30-7:30 p.m. (full schedule available here, locals use discount code: GCLOCALS when registering)

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily (starting Sunday, Nov. 5, the GCC store and DV Watchtower will move to winter hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily)
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Desert View Convenience Store (adjacent to gas station), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

North Rim

• Service station gas pumps, 24 hours
• Backcountry Information Center will close for season on Tues., Oct. 31
• Hwy. 67 to North Rim open until November 30 (or following the first major snow event)

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

• Enjoying the view on the South Rim (Photo courtesy R. Negele)
• Firefighters working on the Atoko Point burn unit (NPS Photo)
• Jewelry and carvings created by Alphonso John and Gloria and Leo Chee (Photos courtesy Alphonso John and Gloria and Leo Chee)
• Ranger Kelkiyana Yazzie (NPS Photo)
• Participants in the Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon and 5K in 2021 (Photo courtesy Damion Alexander)
• Hikers near the 3-Mile Resthouse on the Bright Angel Trail (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)