Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 31-April 4, 2025

Northern Arizona Weather Outlook: Navigating Drought, Fire Season, and the Anticipated Monsoon

Northern Arizona, including Grand Canyon, faces ongoing weather-related challenges. While March brought some relief, an exceptionally dry winter has left much of the region grappling with severe to extreme drought conditions. Flagstaff’s snowfall, at just 46.8 inches, represents only 56% of the average through March, and overall precipitation wince October 1, 2024, has remained below 50% of normal across the region.

Looking ahead, the forecast indicates a high likelihood of drier and warmer-than-normal conditions throughout Arizona during the fire season from April to June. This combination elevates the risk of wildfires. However, there is an anticipation that a warmer and drier spring could lead to an earlier or more intense monsoon season from July to September, with projections favoring above-normal precipitation alongside warmer-than-average temperatures.

Want more information on weather and fire projections for 2025? The National Weather Service-Flagstaff Office recently compiled this outlook in the attached powerpoint here.

Special Evening Programs Next Week

*Note-Joseph Secody’s originally scheduled programs for April 4 have now been rescheduled to April 10.*

On Thursday, April 10, Joseph Secody, a Navajo Hoop Dancer, Flute Player, and Storyteller will be presenting two programs, one at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza at 10 a.m. and another on the Rim Trail in front of the Hopi House at 1:30 p.m.

Additionally, there will be a special evening program with Ravis Henry on Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater. His talk will focus on the significance of the Diné (Navajo) people and the important history of their forced removal, known as “The Long Walk.”

More information on these programs can be found in the attached flyer here.

Canyon Conversations: Into the Depths of Wild with a Grand Canyon Biologist

On a recent Canyon Conversations webinar hosted by the Grand Canyon Conservancy, NPS Wildlife Biologist, Brady Dunne, gives an insightful overview of the variety of wildlife found within the park as well as the current projects the Wildlife team is working on.

These projects range in scope from bison reduction, Mexican Spotted Owl and California Condor monitoring, bat research, elk/human interaction studies, and much much more!

A recording of the program can be found at the following link here.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Tuesday and Wednesday, April 8, and 9, 2025

Patrick Yellowhorse (Diné Silversmith)

Patrick began studying the art of silversmith from his uncle Shush, where he learned the techniques of sandstone cast and lapidary. Pat continues to challenge himself with cutting edge contemporary designs using traditional designs and techniques, which he will share with park visitors.

Ravis Henry (Diné Historian, Storyteller and Silversmith)

As a park ranger with Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Ravis focuses on interpretation and education, sharing the stories and history of his people with park visitors. A self-taught silversmith, Ravis creates jewelry inspired by the stories of his land and people and has conducted workshops and demonstrations of traditional silversmithing techniques.

More information on the Cultural Demonstration Program can be found at the park website here.

Easter Pancake Breakfast and Egg Hunt—April 19​

Join the fun on Saturday, April 19 at the Grand Canyon School Cafeteria for the annual KLC Pancake Breakfast fundraiser and easter egg hunt. Breakfast will begin at 9 a.m. with an easter egg hunt for all ages on the school grounds to follow.

More details, including a full flyer is available here.

Save the Date—Town of Tusayan Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 5

On Monday, May 5, the Town of Tusayan will be hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration from 4:30-9 p.m. at the Squire Resort in Tusayan. Mexican food and music will be featured as well as pinatas for kids, a face painter, balloon artist, a dive-in movie and indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a drone light show.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-9 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, (food until 9 p.m.)
• Arizona Steakhouse – Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
• 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.-10 p.m. (food until 9:30 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 Dining Hall, breakfast 7-10 a.m., dinner 5-9 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Camper Services, daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Canyon Adventures Bike Tours and Cafe: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Verkamps 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Yavapai Geology Museum-8 a.m.-7 p.m., Visitor Center Plaza-8 a.m.-7 p.m., Kolb Studio-8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• 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 5:30-7 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center): Full class schedule can be found here. Use discount GCLOCALS at checkout.
• Shuttle Bus Spring Schedules (March 1 – May 23, 2025)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: 8:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Village (Blue) Route: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 6:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 a.m.
• Inner Canyon:
• Bright Angel Trail from Havasupai Gardens to Silver Bridge, closed Oct 21, 2024, to May 14, 2025
• Silver Bridge, closed Oct 21, 2024, to May 14, 2025
• Bright Angel Campground, closed Nov 4, 2024, to May 14, 2025

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post and ice cream and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower and store, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the last tower access at 5 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Desert View gas station (24 hours)-pay at pump only

North Rim

• The Supai Tunnel Compost Toilet Facility, located 1.5 miles below the North Rim on the North Kaibab Trail, will be closed from April 6 to May 6 for maintenance and repairs.

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

• Redbuds (Cercis occidentalis) begin to bloom at Havasupai Gardens on March 28 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Mountain lion on the East Rim of Grand (Photo courtesy of Wildstar Filming)
• Sterling silver salt and pepper shakers, cups, and other table accessories handmade by Patrick Yellowhorse. (NPS Photo)
• GRCA and HOAL staff at Grand Canyon School’s Career Day on March 27, 2025. (NPS Photo)
• Phantom Ranch reopened this week following a three-month closure for Transcanyon Waterline construction. (NPS Photo/Scott Graham)