Ranger Kelli Jones featured in NPS ‘My Park Story’ Podcast

National parks tell the stories of America. My Park Story, a “parkcast” hosted by the National Park Service, tells the stories of individuals who share their unique connections to the parks and the National Park Service in their communities.

In the latest episode, host Dave Barak speaks with Kelli Jones, Indigenous Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park and how her Native background has brought more depth to her role as a National Park Service ranger. To listen, visit the NPS website or download on Apple podcasts.

Rock Your Mocs Week November 12-18

As part of Native American Heritage Month, next week is Rock Your Mocs Week, when Indigenous people across the country show their cultural pride by wearing traditional moccasins.

Moccasins are not always worn in public by Indigenous people. They hold special significance and are most often worn for ceremonies and other cultural events. During Rock Your Mocs Week, the National Park Service encourages Indigenous employees to take pride in their heritage by wearing moccasins. A flyer for this week can be found here.

Grand Canyon National Park is proud to celebrate Native cultures and traditions by helping to share their rich histories and ongoing contributions to our park and our country.

So rock those mocs!

Fee-Free Day on Veterans Day

Saturday is Veterans Day, and to recognize the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, national parks and recreation areas waive entrance fees on Saturday, November 11.

If you live in or near the park, you may see longer lines and heavier traffic than normal, so you may want to plan your activities around that.

Grandview Tower/310 Rd. reopened

As of November 8, the Grandview Tower/310 Rd. has reopened to the public.

The NPS Roads Crew continues to work on the roadway and they have made it possible for all vehicles traveling to or from the Kaibab National Forest to pass. Thank you for your patience during this closure period!

Astronomy Nights Friday through Sunday

There will be two Astronomy Nights on Saturday and Sunday, November 11 and 12, from 7-9 p.m. behind the South Rim Visitor Center.

Park staff will present programs on constellations at 7:15 and 8:15.

There will be telescopes set up for viewing. Please bring red lights to minimize light pollution, and dress warmly.

There will also be programs Monday the 13^th through Thursday the 16^th from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The events are free and no registration is required.

Upcoming events for Native American Heritage Month

This upcoming weekend, November 11-12, there will be special performances by Joseph Tessay and the Cibecue Apache Crown Dancers from Cibecue, AZ. TheNovember 11 performance will be at 7 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages and November 12 at 2 p.m. in the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza. More information on these special performances can be found in the attached flyer here.

On Monday, November 13 at 6 p.m., Navajo Park Ranger Ravis Henry from Canyon de Chelly National Monument will join us at the Visitor Center to talk about his own personal connections to the Grand Canyon and what it means to the Diné people.

And on Thursday, November 16, the South Rim Visitor Center will be jam-packed with events in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Starting at 10 a.m. and running through the evening, there will be speakers, demonstrators, and three groups of dancers. See the attached flyer for more details.

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID is by getting vaccinated. You can find where vaccines are available at vaccines.gov.

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 or ronan_king@nps.gov.

Rim Trail detour near Bright Angel Lodge begins next week

Beginning next Thursday, November 16, there will be a detour on the Rim Trail around the Bright Angel Lodge.

As a reminder, only the first half-mile of Bright Angel Trail will be open beginning December 1 through April of 2024. More information can be found on the park’s construction project webpage here.

Bright Angel Bicycles winter hours

From now until at least January, Bright Angel Bicycles will adjust their rental hours to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily weather permitting.

The Café will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Grand Canyon Railway winter schedule

The Grand Canyon Railway is also switching to a winter schedule, with the train leaving daily from Williams at 8:30 a.m. and arriving at the Train Depot in the park at 11:45 a.m.

Substation construction on Havasupai Street nearing completion

Construction crews working on putting in the new underground power lines in the Havasupai Street/Barry Hance neighborhood expect to be finished working in the area by Thanksgiving (November 23).

Fire Engine 81 dedication ceremony to be held November 15

Your Grand Canyon firefighters invite you and your family to help us dedicate the community’s newest fire engine with a traditional “Push In” ceremony Wednesday, November 15^th at 4 p.m.

The ceremony will be held at Station 1, located at 3 Clinic Rd.

The ceremony will consist of a ceremonial wash-down of the new engine and then the engine will be pushed by hand into the apparatus bay of its new home. It will then be officially in service, protecting the Grand Canyon community.

These ceremonies have been a tradition in the fire service since the days of horse-drawn fire apparatus. When fire apparatus were pulled by horses, horses could not back the fire apparatus into the firehouse, so the crew would have to unhitch the horses in front of the firehouse. The crew would stable the horses, then wash the apparatus prior to pushing it into the apparatus bay. This ceremony honors the history and traditions of the fire service while wishing well upon all that serve on and are served by our community’s newest fire engine.

A flyer for the event can be found here.

Grand Canyon School Odyssey of the Mind Wreath Fundraiser now through November 13

Help support the Grand Canyon Odyssey of the Mind team! Proceeds from the annual Wreath Fundraiser will help support trips and events, including regional, state, and national competitions.

To order a wreath or to make a donation, visit this website now through Monday, November 13. A full flyer with more information is available here.

Residential Holiday Lights Walk Announced

Residents of Randy Thompson Circle and Bob Mahn Street are announcing the third annual Holiday Lights Walk. The event will occur on Friday, December 1 from 6-8 p.m. and will feature holiday lights, hot cocoa, and more.

All residents are welcome and more information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Santa Breakfast and Holiday Market Announced for December 9

Join Santa on Saturday, December 9 from 8-11 a.m. at the Grand Canyon School cafeteria for a community breakfast. All proceeds will benefit the 8th grade class field trip to Washington D.C.

A holiday vendor market will also be occurring simultaneously.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

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, 7 a.m. -2 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7-10 a.m., dinner, 5-8 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 10 a.m.-4 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.
• 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, 9 a.m.-5 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 5 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
• 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.

• Havasupai Gardens renaming ceremony, May 2023 (NPS Photo)
• Ranger Kelli Jones standing near the rim (Photo courtesy of K. Jones)
• A long line of cars at the South Entrance (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Grandview Tower Road construction project (NPS Photo/B. Alberta)
• A moment from the 2013 Star Party (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Apache Crown Dancers on the North Rim (NPS Photo/E. Whittaker)
• Workers erect a temporary fence in the Village area (NPS Photo)
• The entrance to Bright Angel Bicycles (NPS Photo/K. Caldon)
• Passengers disembarking the Grand Canyon Railway train (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)