Grand Canyon National Park Moving Towards Full Opening

Above, Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Source: National Parks Traveler Press Release

There's some good news coming from the Southwest: Grand Canyon National Park is moving towards full opening.

According to National Parks Traveler:

During the course of the next week Grand Canyon National Park will reopen its South Rim round-the-clock while the North Rim will open to day use. 

On Friday, the South Rim's south entrance will be open every day from 4 a.m. until 2 p.m for day use with limited commercial services. The entrance will close at 2 p.m. and visitors already inside the park can remain for day use access until sunset. The following areas will be open: 

• Tuweep will be open for day use access. 
• Day hiking on inner canyon trails and existing backcountry permits for hikers camping overnight will be honored. No new overnight camping permits for the inner canyon will be issued. 

Beginning June 5, the following areas will be open for visitors every day: 

• South Rim's south entrance will be open 24/7, and Mather Campground will open for existing reservations only. 
• The North Rim will be open for day use. The campground is closed for construction until July 1. 

Beginning June 14, the park will initiate a phased reopening of Colorado River commercial, noncommercial and administrative trips until further notice. 

Private, noncommercial river trips with current permits will be authorized to launch, and no new permits will be issued until at least the end of June. Noncommercial river trips including administrative trips should contact the Grand Canyon River Permit Office via email at: grca_riv@nps.gov for details. 

Commercial river trips will resume with implemented mitigation measures including modified passenger capacities. Customers should contact the commercial river companies for any potential impact to their trip. 

Lodging accommodations on the South and North Rims will begin a phased reopening in June, and visitors should check the reservation sites for their availability.

To read more, go here.