Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of May 24, 2021
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This week’s numbers at a glance:
- Across the country, we’ve seen a decline in COVID cases, hospital admissions and deaths this past week
- COVID-19 deaths have decreased 11% (from 556 to 498 deaths/day, 7-day daily average). This is the first time the 7-day daily average of new deaths is below 500 deaths/day since March 31, 2020
- The average number of new cases per day in Arizona in the last week was 533, down from 567 per day in the previous week.
- Coconino County is now reporting weekly case counts for Grand Canyon, zipcode 86023, on their Weekly Update Site (last updated May 21).
- Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 47 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
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Navajo Nation Information
- Wearing a mask in public is mandatory.
- All Navajo Nation Tribal Parks remain closed to visitors. This includes: Antelope Canyon – Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, Marble Canyon, Coal Mine Canyon, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Four Corners Monument, and Little Colorado River Gorge.
- The Navajo Nation is currently in a Shelter in Place order, which includes daily curfew hours from 11:00 P.M. MDT to 5:00 A.M. MDT.
- Specific guidance for the Navajo Nation can be found on the Navajo Nation website.
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Public Health Contacts
If you test positive for COVID-19, immediately inform your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure is minimized.
- Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202) 891-8599
- Email: ronan_king@nps.gov
- For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202)641-3518
- Email: christen_glime@nps.gov
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NPS Physical Distancing Update on Transportation Systems:
Effective May 27, the NPS will no longer apply strict physical distancing standards on park transportation systems. More information on this new guidance can be found here. Grand Canyon National Park is working with Paul Revere Transportation to phase in this new guidance in the coming weeks. Passengers traveling on the Grand Canyon shuttle system are still required to wear face coverings and enter and exit through the rear doors of the shuttles buses. As always, follow instructions from the drivers before entering and exiting shuttle buses.
Reminder on CDC Mask Guidance:
Fully vaccinated individuals can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
Do I Need to Wear a Mask?
Working with the Public
- While working in public-facing positions, we suggest federal employees have a mask handy for use while interacting with visitors, community members and each other, and be prepared to use it if needed.
- Park management supports any individual who prefers to wear a mask. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, please feel free to do so.
- Concessioner and partner employees should check with your employer to ensure you are following your company’s policies and requirements.
- This week mask signage throughout the park has been updated to reflect recent changes in mask guidance. If you see any outdated signs please let the public affairs office know at grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.
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Local COVID-19 Vaccine Information
South Rim
The Grand Canyon Clinic will continue administering Moderna vaccines on Thursdays, based on demand. Vaccination totals at the Clinic as of last week were 2,207 total doses administered with 1,101 individuals fully vaccinated.
The Clinic continues to offer vaccines on Thursdays, but due to the need to schedule vaccinations in blocks of 10, there may be times when people will need to be put on a waitlist as the clinic determines if there is sufficient demand to allow a full schedule. To schedule a vaccine appointment at the Grand Canyon Clinic, call the clinic directly at 928-638-2551.
North Rim
On June 3-4 a North Rim employee vaccination event will be hosted by the Coconino County Department of Health & Human Services and Forever Resorts at the Employee Dining Room. On June 3 vaccinations will be held at dinner time and on June 4 during breakfast and lunch. NPS, GCC, and Trail Ride employees will also be able to utilize this service. Both the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines are expected to be available.
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Flagstaff Vaccine Location Hours
Northern Arizona University is hosting a high-capacity sit-down state vaccination site, located at the NAU Fieldhouse (1050 S. Knoles Drive) that operates Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Anyone 12 years of age and older can register for a vaccination at the NAU site.
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COVID-19 Testing Details
- The Grand Canyon Clinic has testing available Monday-Wednesday. As the clinic transitions to summer hours, no weekend testing will be available due to specimen storage and transport requirements.
- In Flagstaff, COVID testing is available at Coconino Community College at 2800 South Lone Tree Road, and the NAU Fieldhouse at 1050 Knoles Drive.
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Operational Changes this Week
- Grand Canyon Clinic: The Clinic will switch to summer hours beginning Saturday, May 29. The clinic will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The pharmacy will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with a 12 p.m. one hour lunch closure.
- Xanterra mule rides will resume coming up from Phantom Ranch using the South Kaibab Trail starting Saturday, May 29. Staff and visitors may notice an increase in stock trailer traffic due to this change.
- Grand Canyon Recreation Center: The Rec Center Gym will reopen on May 31 with COVID mitigations in place. Users will be required to make reservations in advance up to two days ahead of time. Masks are required in the gym and the Rec Center at all times. Call 928-638-3389 to make a reservation.
- Groome Transportation (formerly the Arizona Shuttle) will resume services to Flagstaff on Tuesday, June 1. There will be three daily shuttles departing the Village from Maswik Lodge at 10 a.m., 3:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Stops will be made at the IMAX Theater in Tusayan, Williams, Flagstaff Airport, and the Flagstaff Amtrak Station.
- Xanterra Taxi Service will resume service on Thursday, June 3.
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Maswik Laundry Detour: June 1-21
Part of the Maswik South construction project will require a road closure and detour around Maswik Laundry Road beginning June 1 through approximately June 21. The detour will consist of one-way traffic with traffic signals. During this time, visitors and employees may encounter delays accessing Rowe Well Road.
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A Busy Summer is Upon Us!
Once again, visitors and residents this Memorial Day weekend and through the summer can expect long lines, full parking lots, and crowded conditions. Our staff continue to remind visitors to plan ahead by visiting this park website page for operational updates. On Saturday, May 29, the shuttle bus system will begin its summer operations and this schedule will be in effect through September 10, 2021.
- Passenger capacity is currently limited to 20 people per bus, face coverings are required on the bus, and passengers must enter and exit through the rear door only. Visitors should expect capacity limits to change over the next several weeks based on new guidance from the NPS.
- The Village Route (Blue Route), the Kaibab Rim Route Westbound, and the Tusayan Route (Purple Route) will not operate until further notice.
- The Hermits Rest Route (Red Route) will operate from 4 a.m. until one hour after sunset.
- There will be a Visitor Center to Hermit Road Express Bus from 12-8 p.m. It will go directly between the Visitor Center and the Hermit Road Interchange and will not make any other stops.
- The Kaibab Rim Route Eastbound (Orange Route), servicing the Visitor Center to the South Kaibab Trailhead will also operate from 4 a.m. until one hour after sunset.
- The early morning Hikers’ Express Bus will operate and will run directly from the Backcountry Information Center near the Maswik Lodge to the South Kaibab Trailhead on the following schedule:
- May – 5, 6 and 7 a.m.
- June- 4, 5 and 6 a.m.
- On Memorial Day, May 31, there will be a 21-gun salute in conjunction with the Memorial Day Service at the Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery. Residents should expect to hear gunfire from this area shortly after 11 a.m.
- Additional information can be found in our ‘Summer Visitation Tips’ press releasethat was distributed earlier this week.
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DUI Task Force this Holiday Weekend
Grand Canyon South Rim Patrol is encouraging everyone to celebrate responsibly this holiday weekend. In Grand Canyon Village, it’s important to make safe travel plans ahead of time, as there is still no taxi service due to COVID 19.
To help encourage safe driving, law enforcement agencies all across northern Arizona, including Grand Canyon National Park law enforcement rangers, are participating in a DUI Task Force, and will have an increased presence on the roadways this weekend to help keep our community safe. Please take the time to plan your travel before heading out to celebrate and enjoy the weekend!
Curious what South Rim Patrol has been up to in the last few weeks?
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Partial Resthouse Toilet Closures
This Friday through Sunday (May 28-30), NPS Trail Crew will be partially closing the compost toilets at Mile and a Half and Three Mile Resthouses on the Bright Angel Trail.
These closures are necessary to ensure the compost toilets continue to function properly for visitor use. Helicopters will be carrying supplies and waste from these resthouses throughout the weekend.
Please help us inform visitors of potentially long lines at these resthouse bathrooms and encourage visitors to use the Bright Angel Trailhead restrooms before heading down trail.
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USGS Aerial Mapping Begins this Weekend
Beginning on Friday, May 28, the Bureau of Reclamation will release a steady 8,000 cubic feet per second flow from Glen Canyon Dam to allow for Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center and USGS scientists to conduct aerial photography. These reduced flows will enable researchers to obtain high-resolution aerial imagery of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to document, observe and track long-term ecosystem changes in the Colorado River. The project is expected to conclude by June 5.
Visitors along the Colorado River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park may see and hear aircraft more frequently during this time. The river trip associated with this research launches on Friday, .
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Grand Canyon Wildland Fire Prevention-Public Service Announcement Released
This week our Grand Canyon Social Media Team released a Wildland Fire Public Service Announcement video which is now posted on our website as well as social media channels. The PSA video (see below) highlights the devastating aftermath of the Cottonwood Creek Canyon Fire in October 2019, and educates visitors on how they can properly dispose of human waste while traveling in the backcountry.
In total, the Cottonwood Creek Fire ignited approximately 64 acres in the Inner Canyon near Horseshoe Mesa. Over the next four years park staff will work to rehabilitate the burned area as a result of the fire.
Many thanks to NPS employees Anna Rehkopf, Mike Quinn, Kate McHugh, and Della Yurcik on helping develop and share this important public safety and resource protection message!
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Grand Canyon Welcomes New Chief of Facilities
James “Treacy” Stone has been selected as the new Chief of Facility Management and Engineering Division at Grand Canyon.
Treacy is a professional engineer with more than 28 years of experience in the facility management field. His experience includes a successful career in the United States Navy as a Civil Engineer Corps Officer, as a Director of Facility Services for multiple years at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, in the National Park Service at Yosemite National Park as a Concessions Facility Operations Specialist, and at Zion National Park as the Chief of Facilities Maintenance.
In his new position at the Grand Canyon, Treacy will provide strategic vision and leadership to a dynamic and complex organization that manages the water and wastewater utilities, buildings, roads, trails, facilities, and housing maintenance throughout the park.
Help us welcome Treacy to Grand Canyon and his new position within the park!
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Current Operational Hours
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South Rim
- Maswik Lodge Cafeteria: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Fountain and Coffee House, 7-10 a.m.
- Canyon Village Deli, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rentals: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cafe: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Desert View
- Desert View Watchtower retail store (Kiva Room) open Friday-Monday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., *only the ground level is open to the public; the tower itself remains closed until further notice
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Desert View Campground is open. Reservations can be made via www.recreation.gov.
North Rim
- Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk, staffed from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
- North Rim Lodge dining, 4:30-9:30 p.m. daily
- Deli in the Pines, 5 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
- Rough Rider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
The following park closures remain in place:
- All residential areas
- South Rim Visitor Center (indoors), information table staffed 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
- Headquarters Information Desk
- Kolb Studio
- RV and Camper Services
- Yavapai Lodge Restaurant
- Grand Canyon Kennel
- Maswik Pizza Pub, Arizona Steak House, and Fred Harvey Burger
- Xanterra bus tours (suspended)
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