a group of smiling people dancing in a circle

Messages and Grand Canyon News-Week of July 31, 2023

a group of park rangers jumping and smiling in the rain

“… and there was much rejoicing.”

A welcome break from the summer heat

After our recent rainfall, Grand Canyon is no longer in an excessive heat warning, but Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions are still in effect for the Coconino National Forest and the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Additionally, all undeveloped areas of Coconino County, the Town of Tusayan, and the City of Flagstaff are also in fire restrictions. *Please note, at this time the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has no fire restrictions in effect.

Grand Canyon National Park remains in Stage 1 fire restrictions, as it is year-round, which means fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed campground site.

a mule stepping around a large rock in a trail with a man in a cowboy hand in the background

Rockslides on Bright Angel

Wednesday’s rainstorms, while welcome, were substantial enough to cause rockslides on the Bright Angel Trail.

Xanterra mule trips to Phantom Ranch are suspended until the trail is passable for stock again.

The trail will remain open to hikers, but trail crew supervisors say hikers can expect intermittent delays of 10 to 15 minutes for the next day or so while crews work to clear the trail.

a flyer advertising a free event at the Grand Canyon

Native Voices of the Grand Canyon

On Saturday, August 5, there will be a free public event at Shrine of the Ages from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Cloud MTN Arts in collaboration with NPS will present “Native Voices of the Grand Canyon.”

The show will feature Native speakers and performers from affiliated tribes, as well as three films to help educate visitors about Indigenous history and environmental issues that tribes of the region face today.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Ed Kabotie & Tha ‘Yoties.”

Many thanks to Protect Grand Canyon – Sierra Club, Wild Arizona, and Grand Canyon Trust for their support of the event.

a group of people looking through a telescope at a starry night sky

Night Sky events resume Monday

Our Night Sky programs will start up again Monday, August 7 with astronomer-in-residence Dr. Dan Fleisch.

Monday’s program will be held at McKee Ampitheater at 8 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday, the Night Sky programs will be in the parking lot behind the Visitor Center at 9 p.m.

Grand Canyon National Park is internationally recognized as a Dark Sky Park, and we take great pride in providing these free programs to visitors and residents.

a man sitting in a chair carving a piece of wood

Cultural Demonstrators at Desert View

Tuesday, August 8 through Thursday, August 10, two cultural demonstrators will be at the Desert View Watchtower from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Curtis Naseyowma (pictured) is a Hopi Tribal member from Tuba City, and he has been creating kachinas for more than 20 years.

His father taught him how to carve, and he enjoys talking with visitors about Hopi culture and the meaning behind his carvings.

Roman Skow is a Navajo sculptor from Bluff, Utah and attended the Art Institute of Phoenix.

He uses sandstone as his medium, using a rubber mallet and a steel punch to create detailed etchings.

Roman will also be at the Desert View Watchtower Ampitheater for the Grand Canyon Speaks series at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8.

a line of cars at an entrance station to a national park

Fee-free day on Friday

In recognition of the third anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), Today, August 4, is an entrance fee-free day in our National Parks.

GAOA funds are being used in the park to replace our wastewater treatment plant that was built in the 1970s.

Expect more visitors than usual. If you have errands to run that require driving, you might try to do them after today if possible to avoid potential traffic.

a modern and new electric bus on the rim of the Grand Canyon

New electric buses go for a test drive

You may see some unfamiliar buses driving around the park in coming weeks. These are demonstration models of new electric buses to be added to our fleet.

On July 7, the Federal Highway Administration announced a $27.5 million grant to purchase electric buses in order to replace our aging fleet and lower our carbon emissions.

The goal is to purchase 10 new electric buses, and multiple vendors are demonstrating their models for review.

Grand Canyon National Park and the National Park Service are dedicated to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars, so the park will consult with the National Reusable Energy Lab to select the best model for our needs and budget.

Community Corner

Rec center August happenings

Singing, dancing, hiking, biking, sports, games, trips, adventures, yoga, books, and doggos!

Whatever you’re into, you can find it at the Grand Canyon Community Recreation Center!

Here’s their August calendar.

a calendar of community events

Free live music in Tusayan

Local musicians Emmons & John will return to the Squire Resort in Tusayan Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There is no cost to enter, and the musicians ask that you please don’t drink and drive.

two smiling men playing acoustic instruments outside

a flyer advertising a mental health event

Free mental health event at the rec center

On Thursday, August 10, there will be a free mental health event at 3:30 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Community Recreation Center, 2 Mohave Street.

North Country HealthCare’s Behavioral Health Department will host “How to Help When Suicidal Thoughts are Present.”

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 928-638-2551.

COVID Updates

Arizona and Local Statistics

Total new COVID cases in Arizona reported for the week of July 26 through August 2, is 1,700—an increase of 714 cases from the previous week. The seven day rolling average is now 242 cases per day.

As a reminder, all COVID safety protocols outlined in 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 our Public Health Consultant, Ronan King at ronan_king@nps.gov, or 202-891-8599.

Current Operational Hours

*Please note: new changes to operations are indicated in bold/italic

South Rim

Xanterra

Maswik Lodge Cafeteria
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.
Fred Harvey Food Truck 11:30 – 4 p.m.
Arizona Steakhouse within Bright Angel Lodge is now offering dinner service from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily. Lunch service is from 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 is open seven days a week with hours from 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, 12-10 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6:30 a.m. -3 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5-9 p.m.
Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Camper Services laundry and shower is now open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily with the last laundry load at 8:30 p.m. and the last shower at 9:45 p.m.

Other

Grand Canyon Clinic: open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursday-Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Grand Canyon Conservancy stores regular hours: Visitor Center Plaza, Yavapai Geology Museum, Verkamps, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily., Kolb Studio has reopened with hours of 9-5 p.m. most days
The Grand Canyon Community Library is expanding its hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. The schedule Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays will remain from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesdays 6-8 p.m., Saturdays 2-4 p.m.

Desert View

Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Desert View Convenience Store, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

North Rim

North Rim Visitor Center (GCC), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
NPS Backcountry Information Center, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-5 p.m. daily
General Store, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Service/Outfitter Station, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
- Gas pumps 24 hours
Shower/Laundry
- 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily (staffed)
- 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. daily (unstaffed)
North Rim Lodge Café, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
North Rim Lodge Dining Room
- Breakfast – 6:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Lunch – 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Dinner – 4:45 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
North Rim Lodge Saloon
- Coffeehouse – 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Bar – 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Grand Canyon Lodge Gift Shop (Aramark), 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily

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

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)

Visitors and demonstrators enjoying Heritage Days (GCC/L.Cisneros)
North Rim Rangers enjoying the rain (NPS Photo/D. Crispin)
A mule steps around a large rock on the Bright Angel Trail (Photo courtesy N. Berry, Xanterra)
Visitors enjoying the stars on the North Rim (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
Artist Curtis Naseyowma working on one of his carvings (Photo courtesy Curtis Naseyowma)
A long line of cars at the south entrance (NPS Photo)
An electric bus on the South Rim (Photo courtesy New Flyer)

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.

Grand Canyon National Park

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior