North Rim Atoko Point prescribed fire

If you were near the rim or in the canyon this week, you probably noticed smoke on the North Rim and below the rim.

This is a prescribed burn in the Atoko Point unit, which is on the eastern edge of the Walhalla Plateau. Park fire staff are working with the Kaibab National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management to treat this unit and others, for a total of about 1,700 acres. They plan to continue burning through October 31.

Smoke impacts are anticipated along Cape Royal Road, the North Rim developed area, and the inner canyon from Bright Angel Point to Clear Creek. Fire plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the land, and prescribed burns are carefully planned and only initiated under very specific conditions.

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 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.

Thank you for your patience as our crews begin work on this long-overdue project!

Free astronomy programs at the South Rim Visitor Center

October 19 through 21, there will be astronomy programs at the South Rim Visitor Center at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday and Friday, astronomer-in-residence Dr. Cameron Hummels will present programs in the Visitor Center Theater. Following, Dr. Katherine DeKleer will take participants outside for an outdoor presentation under the stars. Dress warmly for the outdoor portion.

On Saturday, Drs. Hummels and DeKleer will be present, but the program will be run mostly by our own astronomy volunteers. Saturday is also International Observe the Moon Night, and there will be a First Quarter Moon that night.

The events are free to attend and no registration is required. Meet by the flagpole in front of the Visitor Center. More information on these programs can be found on the park’s website here.

Inner Canyon water station winterization begins October 30

On Monday, Oct. 30, water at the 1.5 mile and 3 mile rest houses will be shut off for the winter season and to allow for preparation of the construction work on the BA line. Water at the North Kaibab Trailhead is slated to be turned off the week of Nov. 13.

For the most up to date information on inner canyon water status, visit the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates page here.

The week of October 10-16, Grand Canyon Hikers and Backpackers Association (GCHBA) volunteers partnered with NPS staff to address deferred maintenance on the North Rim. The crew of 11 highly skilled volunteers rehabilitated the dilapidated campground amphitheater, painted exteriors and interiors of structures and performed numerous tasks in anticipation of the winter season.

The 459 volunteer hours that GCHBA contributed during this project benefit all GRCA divisions and workgroups on the North Rim.

Thank you to the following NPS staff for making this collaboration a success: Jeffrey Caton, John Root, Matt Jenkins, Bianca Klein, Candy Taylor, Todd Nelson, Emily Hansen, Ceili Brennan, Kalyca Spinler, Matt Krupp, and the entire North Rim Interpretation team!

As of September 30, Arizona Department Health Services stopped reporting weekly COVID cases in the state. During the week of October 16, there were 3 new COVID-19 cases reported in the park.

As a reminder, 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 in September by reading the latest South Rim District Report below!

• South Rim District Report-ending 9-23-2023

Grand Canyon School fundraiser

Some of our 8th grade students plan to take an educational trip to our nation’s capital to learn about American history and government, and the school is holding a fundraiser to help them take advantage of this opportunity.

From now until next Thursday the 26th, you can order homemade tamales to be picked up nice and hot on Saturday, October 28 in the Grand Canyon School cafeteria.

There will also be extras for walk-ins on Saturday. You can text 937-475-3312 to order.

For more information, please see the attached flyer here.

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. A flyer for the event can be found here.

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.

Tusayan Truck-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 p.m. to 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.

Desert View Campground closed for the season

On Monday, October 16, Desert View Campground closed for the winter. It is scheduled to re-open on April 15.

The Watchtower, General Store, and the gas station remain open.

Village Interpretation moves to winter operations

Beginning Sunday, October 22, the South Rim Visitor Center will resume a 7-day schedule as more seasonal staff are available and trained. Throughout the winter, the Visitor Center will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until April 6.

Park ranger interpretive programs will also resume for the winter season beginning Sunday, October 22. Programs will be held daily and include a 10 a.m. Rim Walk, 12 p.m. Ranger’s Choice, and a 2:30 p.m. Geology Talk.

For more information, see the attached program 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, 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.
• Thursday, October 26, the Canyon Village Market Deli will close at 4 p.m. and the Market will close at 7 p.m. to allow for a company event.

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): 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursday-Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). Beginning October 22, GCVC will be open 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. daily
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 7p.m. daily (beginning September 10, will transition to 8 a.m.-6 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

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

• Smoke fills the inner canyon at Point Imperial on the North Rim (NPS/J. Nez)
• Grandview Lookout Tower Road (NPS Photo/J. Venn)
• Members of the Grand Canyon Hikers and Backpackers Association participate in deferred maintenance projects (NPS Photos)
• A visitor enjoying the Star Party in 2018 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Carol Hatathlie, McHale Alcott, and some of their finished work (NPS Photo)
• Desert View Campground (NPS Photo)
• The South Rim Visitor Center (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)