As the coronavirus pandemic worsens across the country, the situation at Grand Canyon and all national parks and public lands remain fluid. Stay abreast of all public health updates by visiting https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-national-park-public-health-update.htm.
Entrance Fees
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt decreed yesterday, March 18th, that entrance fees to all parks will be temporarily waived to make it easier for people to get outdoors and “implement some social distancing.”
Visitor Centers and Bookstores
As of this writing, all visitor contact stations (South Rim Visitor Center, Yavapai Geology Museum, Verkamps Visitor Center, Kolb Studio, Desert View Watchtower, and Tusayan Museum) are closed until further notice. The Grand Canyon Conservancy Store across from the Visitor Center is closed until further notice as well.
Shuttle Services
All shuttle service has been suspended until further notice. This includes the Hiker Express Shuttle, Tusayan Shuttle (Purple Route), Village Route (Blue Route), Kaibab Rim (Orange Route), and the Hermit Road (Red Route).
Please note that the Hermit Road will remain close to private vehicles as well.
Ranger Programs
All interpretive programs have been suspended. This includes all ranger talks, park film showings in the Visitor Center, and the Desert View Watchtower Cultural Demonstrations.
Backcountry Permits
Please note that the South Rim Backcountry Information Center (BIC) will transition to issuing backcountry permits via phone and email only (no in-person service). The building will be open for visitors to enter, use the bathrooms, and to submit “same day” backcountry permit requests. I’m not sure how they plan on doing this, but their page states that instructions for submitting “same day” requests are provided inside the BIC.
Park Lodging
All lodging on the South Rim – except Yavaipa Lodge at this point! – is closed from Friday, March 20 – Thursday, May 21, 2020. They plan to re-open Friday, May 22, 2020. Visit their website at https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/.
I can’t imagine that Yavaipa Lodge will be open as well, but they do not have any notices on their website at this point. They are run by Delaware North, and their website is https://www.visitgrandcanyon.com/ .
Stay safe everyone! Wash your hands and please practice social distancing for yours and everyone else’s health and safety. Thank you!