Is the Grand Canyon Open Right Now? Post-Fire Hiking Updates 2025

A lot of people have been asking “is Grand Canyon National Park open?” The answer is yes.

The Grand Canyon has always demanded respect. Its trails test endurance, its weather flips in minutes, and its scale overwhelms even the most seasoned adventurers. But in the summer of 2025 the canyon faced a new kind of challenge. A lightning strike on the North Rim sparked what is now known as the Dragon Bravo Fire, a blaze that destroyed beloved landmarks, compromised utilities, and shut down much of the northern access to the park. Add in a chemical leak from a water treatment plant and the picture gets even more complicated.

So is the Grand Canyon open for hiking right now? The answer is both yes and no.

For anyone planning a trip in the coming months, here is what you need to know about what burned, which trails remain open, when officials expect more information on reopening, and what river runners must do differently.

The Dragon Bravo Fire and what burned

The North Rim has always been the quieter side of the Grand Canyon. Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and legendary views from Cape Royal and Point Imperial made it a hiker’s dream. That changed in July 2025 when a lightning strike ignited the Dragon Bravo Fire.

At first the fire was managed under a strategy designed to let it play its natural role in clearing fuel. But dry weather and shifting winds pushed the flames into developed areas. The result was devastating: the Grand Canyon Lodge was lost along with the Visitor Center, historic guest cabins, staff housing, power lines, and sections of the critical water pipeline. More than a hundred structures in total were destroyed or heavily damaged.

The fire burned thousands of acres, leaving behind unstable slopes, weakened trees, and a landscape primed for flash floods. Even after the last embers cool, the hazards will remain for months or even years.

The chemical problem that still lingers

As if the fire damage were not enough, another crisis unfolded on July 12 when the North Rim’s water treatment plant caught fire. The facility stored chlorine used to disinfect water. When the fire spread into the storage tanks, chlorine gas escaped into the air.

Chlorine gas is dangerous because it is heavier than air. It can pool in low areas and potentially drift into inner canyon sections. Out of caution the National Park Service ordered an evacuation of Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and hikers in the inner corridor. Trails like the South Kaibab and North Kaibab were temporarily closed.

The chlorine threat has since been contained, but the infrastructure is still out of service. Engineers and hydrologists are testing the water pipeline system and the aquifers that supply both rims to confirm no long-term contamination. Until that system is rebuilt and safe, the North Rim will remain closed.

South Rim trails: what remains open

If your trip takes you to the South Rim, the good news is that many trails are still open. You can still descend into the canyon, though not without some restrictions.

Currently Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim is open:

South Kaibab Trail from the rim to Tipoff

Tonto Trail between Tipoff and Havasupai Gardens

Bright Angel Trail from the rim to Pipe Creek Resthouse

Currently closed or restricted:

River Trail between Pipe Creek and South Kaibab junction is closed through October 31, 2025

Silver Bridge is closed until November 26, 2025

Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground are expected to reopen on November 1, 2025

North Kaibab Trail is closed indefinitely

This means that while hikers can still experience classic South Rim descents, you cannot make full rim-to-rim crossings. Corridor trails that connect with Phantom Ranch remain off limits until late fall. You can check the status of the North Rim on the NPS website.

Colorado River rafting: still running, but different

For river runners the canyon is still open. Permits are being issued for both commercial and private river trips, and outfitters continue to operate along the Colorado River. The difference is that Phantom Ranch is no longer an option for resupply or rest.

Normally, river trips use Phantom Ranch as a mid-canyon stop for food, water, or a night under the cottonwoods. With the facility evacuated, those services are off the table. Rafters now need to bypass Phantom Ranch completely, which means carrying more provisions and planning for longer stretches without support.

The river itself remains as wild and mesmerizing as ever, but the logistics have shifted. If you are joining a trip, ask your outfitter what adjustments they have made and prepare for a more self-sufficient journey.

When will the North Rim reopen?

The National Park Service has been clear: the North Rim will remain closed for the rest of 2025. Beyond that, they say it is too early to commit to a reopening date.

The reasons are obvious to anyone who has walked through a burn scar. Fire-damaged trees can fall without warning. Storms can turn slopes into landslides. Roads must be cleared, bridges rebuilt, and utilities replaced. The water treatment system and pipeline will need major reconstruction. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge will need either a full rebuild or significant structural repair.

Realistically, hikers should not expect the North Rim to reopen before the summer of 2026, and even then it may only be for limited day use. Full lodging, cabins, and visitor services could take until 2027 or later. The scope of work is simply too large to expect quick fixes.

The risks of hiking now, even though Grand Canyon is open

Even on the South Rim where trails are open, conditions are not business as usual. Post-fire landscapes bring new hazards.

Flash floods: Burned slopes cannot absorb rain, which means debris flows and floods are more likely during monsoon storms.

Air quality: Smoke may still drift into the canyon, making strenuous hiking more difficult. The fires have moved on at this point, but always check for nearby fires when traveling anywhere in the western United States.

Water reliability: Some spigots and pipelines are down. Always check current conditions and carry extra water.

This is not the time to underestimate the canyon. If you plan to hike, stay flexible, respect closures, and bring extra supplies. However, the National Parks service does let you know which trails are safe and you CAN plan a safe and fun trip to the Grand Canyon, even in it’s current condition. It is quite possible to plan trips to enjoy Grand Canyon National Park in a way that you might not even realize a fire has happened. It’s a big place.

What to do if you are planning a trip to Grand Canyon National Park

Check official updates on the National Park Service Grand Canyon website before you go.

Focus on the South Rim for now. Trails there are open and give you access to the inner canyon.

Adjust rafting plans to account for the lack of Phantom Ranch.

Be flexible: sudden storms or safety concerns may close trails with little notice.

Take a local guide.

A canyon in transition

The Grand Canyon has always been more than a destination. It is a living, changing landscape shaped by fire, flood, and human impact. The Dragon Bravo Fire was devastating, and the chlorine leak only deepened the crisis. Yet the canyon remains open in many ways. South Rim trails still deliver world-class hiking and offer more than most can do in a lifetime. The Colorado River still thunders through its ancient corridor, shuttling rafters through its depths almost like usual. With patience (and Government spending) the North Rim will surely rise again as well.

So is the Grand Canyon open right now? Yes and no. The South Rim welcomes hikers today. The North Rim will take years to heal. And in between, the Canyon reminds us that it remains one of the planets most wild and deadly places.

Zach is a Grand Canyon National Park hiking guide. He considers the Grand Canyon to be one of the most magical places on Earth, and is currently making plans to get lost in it’s depths (safely). 

Contact us to plan your Grand Canyon National Park adventure! We are not currently hosting Grand Canyon retreats. However, they could return in the future!