Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of October 18, 2021
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International Travel Restrictions Lifting
Beginning November 8, 2021, international travelers fully vaccinated against the coronavirus will once again be able to enter the United States from the European Union, the UK, and other countries. Foreigners hoping to fly to the U.S. will need to show proof of vaccination before boarding as well as a negative COVID-19 test within three days of entering the country. More information on the lifting of travel restrictions can be found on the CDC’s website. This news has large impacts to Grand Canyon as international travel has largely been halted since the beginning of the pandemic. While it is hard to predict how this lifting of travel restrictions will effect Grand Canyon overall, we are optimistic that we may begin seeing increased visitation and fee revenues beginning as early as this winter season.
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Arizona and Grand Canyon Community Statistics
Case numbers in Arizona decreased this week to 2,222 new cases per day compared to last week’s average of 2,260.
As of Tuesday, there have been a total of 255 cases in the 86023 zip code since the beginning of the pandemic. Of these, approximately 67 cases are in the park. Coconino County reports the Grand Canyon community is 72.0% vaccinated as of October 15.
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Clinic Update
COVID-19 vaccine demand remains low at the Grand Canyon Clinic. Due to this low demand, the Clinic will cut back its vaccination schedule to only one day per month.
All vaccines will now be scheduled on the third Thursday of each month. If COVID-19 vaccine demand increases significantly, the Clinic can and will adjust this schedule accordingly.
- For COVID testing, please call the clinic to schedule.
- As a reminder, the flu season is approaching and the Clinic also offers the flu vaccine if you have not already received it.
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Vaccine Events in Tusayan and Grand Canyon
On Monday, November 1, Coconino County Health and Human services will be holding two COVID-19 and flu vaccine events in the community. Similar to previous events, no registration is required ahead of time.
- Tusayan (behind the IMAX Theater) from 12:00 p.m.-2 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Recreation Center Ramada from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Flyers will be distributed on these events once guidance from the CDC on booster doses is finalized (hopefully by early next week).
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Reporting COVID symptoms is critical to limiting exposure and keeping our staff and community safe.
If you think you may have been exposed to COVID, regardless of your vaccination status, immediately isolate and report your situation to your supervisor and Public Health Consultant, Ronan King, and await their instructions.
Following this protocol and Ronan’s instructions is extremely important so that any community spread can be contained as quickly as possible.
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Public Health Contacts
Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Changes in 10-Digit Local Dialing
- Wireless customers may dial either 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach the Lifeline now.
- Landline customers must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach the Lifeline until July 16, 2022.
For “988” to work for everyone, 10-digit local dialing for area code 928 (among many others) must be implemented. This change will officially take effect on Sunday, October 24, 2021.
What this means for you:
- For those of you using an NPS phone line from an office, you currently dial 9 for an outside line, then 638-xxxx.
- After October 24, you will dial 9 for an outside line, then the area code, 928, and 638-xxxx.
- From non-NPS phones and all Inner Canyon phones, to call locally you will need to dial 928-638-xxxx.
- The 4-digit office-to-office NPS extensions will be unaffected by the changes. Toll-free and long-distance calling will also be unaffected.
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Redistricting in Process for Coconino County
Every 10 years, county supervisorial districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each Board of Supervisors member represents about the same number of constituents.
In Coconino County, the Board of Supervisors is responsible for drawing these supervisorial districts. Redistricting is done using U.S. Census data, which is delayed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Grand Canyon community is currently in County Legislative District 1. Since 2010, the population of Coconino County has grown in some districts, and not in others. To balance the population across the 5 districts, the district boundaries need to be revised.
Redistricting should be complete by the end of the year so don’t delay!
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Artist in Residence, Erin Reynolds
On Saturday, October 30 at 6 p.m., Grand Canyon Conservancy Artist in Residence, Erin Reynolds, will be presenting a special evening program at the McKee Amphitheater. Erin will be premiering a film that she has created during her time here. The film includes a dance work inspired by the natural landscape, and integrates human movement into the environment in a sustainable and conscientious way emphasizing place. More information on this event can be found on GCC’s website. Reynolds states, “While in residence at Grand Canyon National Park I hope to witness and showcase how human movement is integral to people’s relationship to land and imagine a world where people have a better understanding of movement, and thereby better control over the outcomes it creates.”
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Grand Canyon Community Corner
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North Country Healthcare Health and Wellness Fall Festival-October 29 from 3-6 p.m.
- Held at the Grand Canyon Rec Center, this event will allow you to explore all of the healthcare services and programs available to you and your family.
- Costumes are encouraged.
- Offerings include: affordable health insurance assistance, behavioral health, free dental screenings, fun activity stations, balloon artists, face painting, and much more!
- See this full flyer for additional information.
Community Bike Ride-October 30 at 10 a.m.
- Join your local community for a short bike ride (1.8 miles) through the residential neighborhoods in Grand Canyon Village. Costumes are encouraged!
- See this flyer for additional information.
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Tusayan ‘Trunk or Treat’-October 30 from 5-7 p.m.
- The Town of Tusayan and the South Rim Chamber of Commerce will once again be hosting a ‘Trunk or Treat’ event on Saturday, October 30 from 5-7 p.m. in the parking lot in front of Tusayan Fire Department.
- All sizes of vehicles are welcome and to reserve a trunk space, participants can contact the Town of Tusayan at: 928-638-9909.
- See this flyer for additional information.
Trick-or-Treating-October 31 from 4-6 p.m.
- For trick-or-treating this year, as in previous years, NPS Rangers will be staffed in and around Park Circle on Halloween (October 31).
- Park Circle will be closed to all non-residential traffic and suggested hours are from 4-6 p.m. for all trick-or-treating activities.
- These hours are suggested in order to ensure resident’s and children’s safety in periods of low light or darkness.
- See this flyer for additional information, including safety tips for celebrating Halloween safely this year.
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Current Operational Hours
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South Rim
Xanterra
- Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Fountain and Coffee House, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Fred Harvey Burger, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Xanterra Food Truck, 11:30 am-3:30 pm.
Delaware North
- 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-7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Other
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rentals: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Cafe: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center information table: 8a.m.-5p.m. (current)
- Beginning on October 23 the new hours for the information table will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday-Monday. The table will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays except during holiday weeks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) when it will switch to being staffed 7 days/week.
- Grand Canyon Conservancy stores (Kolb Studio, Verkamps Visitor Center, Visitor Center Plaza, and Yavapai Geology Museum), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Desert View
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Desert View Watchtower, staffed by GCC Saturday-Wednesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Watchtower will be closed to the public on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Desert View Information Table (staffed by NPS)- Most days will still be staffed from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., however, due to staffing levels, some days will only be staffed from 12:30-5 p.m.
North Rim
- General Store, Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (while supplies last)
- Self-serve gas station (credit/debit card only)
- North Rim Backcountry Information Center, daily 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-5 p.m., will close for the season November 1
The following park closures remain in place:
- South Rim Visitor Center (indoors), information table staffed 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
- Headquarters Information Desk
- Yavapai Lodge Restaurant
- Maswik Pizza Pub and the Arizona Steakhouse
- North Rim Lodge and dining services (closed for season)
- Desert View Campground (closed for season)
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Photo Credits (in order of appearance)
- Monday, October 18 sunset from Yavapai Point (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
- A tarantula makes it way across the pavement near Pipe Creek Overlook (NPS Photo/A. Rehkopf)
- Photo of artist in residence, Erin Reynolds (photo courtesy of GCC/Erin Reynolds)
- Gambel oak turning yellow along the South Rim (NPS Photo)
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