It’s closing day on the North Rim, and the beehive of activity betrays the wintry solitude that will soon befall the loftier side of the Grand Canyon.
Hotel staff are busy with final preparations for the shuttering of all facilities until mid-May. Hikers and backpackers are taking advantage of the pre-hike amenities set to expire later in the day, and even the critters seem to sense the annual downshift in park visitation.
The campground will remain open (by reservation) through the end of October. After that, the park will be day-use only through December 1st, or the first big snowfall, whichever comes first. A skeleton crew of National Park Service rangers will be on hand until the hard closure.
If you missed your chance to visit this year, be sure to start planning now for a North Rim adventure in 2017. Rooms fill quickly, and spring will be here before you know it!
