|
Messages and Grand Canyon News
Week of November 4, 2024
|
|
|
Monday, November 11: Free Admission to National Parks
In honor of Veterans Day, Grand Canyon National Park and all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone on Monday, November 11. Please note that this fee-free designation does not apply to camping, reservations, tours, or lodging.
Thanks to all our veterans in the park and in our community for your service to the nation! |
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month in November—Upcoming Events
Native American Heritage Month Performance by Hoop Dancer Joseph Secody
Thursday, November 7 at 6 p.m. in the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium
Joseph is a Diné Hoop Dancer, flute player, and storyteller from Page, AZ. His performance is a blend of modern and traditional Native American dance styles that honors the nations elders and legacy of traditional arts. His talent has taken him around the country to perform and compete as well as being invited to perform in the 2020 Dubai World Expo as one of the top hoop dancers in the world!
Grand Canyon Speaks Veteran’s Day Podcast Interview at Desert View
On Monday, November 11, at Desert View Amphitheater, from 1 pm to 2 pm, a special interview will be conducted with Skylar Blackbull, a Diné artist from New Mexico.
Skylar will walk us through her artwork that focuses on the Navajo Code Talkers and how they have, along with other Veterans, influenced her creative journey. In the event of inclement weather, the interview will take place inside the Desert View Watchtower.
More information on upcoming events during Native American Heritage Month can be found here.
|
|
|
Grand Canyon National Park’s annual Christmas Bird Count slated for December 15
It’s time to flock together on Sunday, December 15, for the annual Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by the National Audubon Society! This event is the longest-running citizen science survey in the world, providing critical data on bird population trends globally.
In 2012, Grand Canyon NP conducted its first Christmas Bird Count in nearly 30 years, making many noteworthy observations. Since then, we have continued to document the reasons why Grand Canyon is designated as a Globally Important Bird Area.
On December 15, teams of volunteers will identify and count birds in and around Grand Canyon Village, while others will hike into the inner canyon. We invite participants of all skill levels to join us! A basic familiarity with wintering birds in the canyon is helpful. Each participant should bring binoculars and appropriate food, water, and clothing for a winter day outdoors.
We are also seeking additional group leaders to assist if past leaders are unavailable. If you’re familiar with GRCA’s typical winter birds and would like to lead a group, please let Brian know as soon as possible. He’ll arrange an orientation for new group leaders prior to the count.
If you’re interested in participating or have questions, please email Brian Gatlin at Brian_Gatlin@nps.gov by Monday, December 2. |
|
Seasonal Water Stations Shutting Off for Winter
As we prepare for the winter season, NPS Water Utilities staff will be turning off several seasonal water stations in the coming week. The schedule is as follows:
- Tuesday, Nov. 12: North Kaibab Trail – Cottonwood Campground
- Wednesday, Nov. 13: Bright Angel Trail – Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile Resthouses
- Thursday, Nov. 14: The North Rim waterline from Roaring Springs will be drained for the season
Please note that the Hermits Rest Water Bottle Filling Station, Supai Tunnel, and the North Kaibab Trailhead have already been turned off for the winter.
For the most up-to-date information on water availability, please refer to the Critical Backcountry Updates webpage. |
|
|
Grand Canyon Incident Report Now Available
Grand Canyon Law Enforcement has combined significant incidents from all districts including South Rim, Canyon District, and the North Rim.
|
|
|
Grand Canyon Community Corner
|
|
|
KLC Harvest Festival Saturday, November 9
Help support children of the Grand Canyon community and Kaibab Learning Center by attending its annual fundraising event. The 2024 Harvest Festival will feature a fun night of food, music, raffles and prizes, a silent auction, a balloon artist, and face painter.
The event will be held on Saturday, November 9 from 4-8 p.m. at the Big-E Steakhouse in Tusayan.
A full flyer with more details can be found here.
|
|
PTA Winter Clothing Drive Nov. 14-15
The Grand Canyon School PTA will be hosting a Winter Clothing Drive at the Grand Canyon School for any community member in need of clothing. Times are as follows: November 14, 4-6 p.m. and November 15, 12-4 p.m. Hats, scarves, coats, boots, and more will be available.
More information can be found in the attached flyer here. |
|
Burrito Sale Fundraiser for Washington D.C. trip slated for November 15
The 2024 8th grade class will host a burrito fundraiser on Firday, November 15 from 11 a.m. until sold out at the Multi-Purpose Room at the Grand Canyon School. Dine in, take out, and delivery options are available.
This fundraiser supports the 8th grade Grand Canyon School field trip to Washington D.C. More information is available in the attached flyer here. |
|
|
Grand Canyon Booster Club Presents Phantom Spirit Wear Fundraiser
The Grand Canyon Booster Club is launching a Grand Canyon Sideline Store for personalized spirit wear to support its athletes this season. A 20% off sitewide code is available.
More information can be found in the attached flyer or by following this website. |
|
|
Grand Canyon Recreation Center Announces November Calendar of Events
See all the fun events the Grand Canyon Rec Center has planned for the month of November! From karaoke, to trivia nights, to indoor basketball open gyms, to Thanksgiving Day Lunch and football, there’s fun for the whole family this month!
To view the full schedule, see the attached flyer here. |
|
|
Current Operational Hours
|
|
| *New changes to operations are indicated in red.
South Rim
Xanterra
- Maswik Cafeteria, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-10 p.m.
- Bright Angel Fountain, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30-10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
- Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
- Arizona Steakhouse, Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 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 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 5-8 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.-5:30 p.m.
- Camper Services, daily from 7 am to 4 pm.
Other
- Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rental & Cafe: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
- Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Verkamps 8 a.m.-6 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 5:30-7:30 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.
- 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
- Phantom Ranch (Lodging and Canteen), closed from Jan 2, 2025, to Mar 30, 2025
Desert View
- Desert View Trading Post and ice cream and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Desert View Watchtower and store, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last tower access tickets given out at 4 pm.
- The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Desert View gas station (24 hours)-pay at pump only
North Rim
- The self-serve gas station, including diesel, will be available for as long as State Route 67 is open. It will only accept credit and debit cards.
- Water at the North Kaibab Trailhead has been shut off. From now until the road closes, water will only be available from the faucet outside the North Rim Administration Building.
Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities. |
|
Photo Credits (in order of appearance)
- A hazy sunrise on Nov. 7, 2024 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
- American flag flying over the canyon (NPS Photo)
- Desert View Watchtower (NPS Photo)
- Park Circle Trick or Treat 2024 (Photos courtesy of P. Riese, E. Hunter, and A. Powell)
|
|
| Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. |
|
|
|
|
