After weeks of closures due to the destructive Dragon Bravo Fire — one of the largest wildfires in Arizona’s history — Grand Canyon National Park is taking its first steps toward recovery by partially reopening select areas of the North Rim beginning October 1, 2025. Of course, the area is a shell of what it once was, and visitors who venture to the North Rim should be prepared for a different, more cautious experience.
What happened at the Grand Canyon?
In July, the Dragon Bravo Fire swept through portions of Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim, causing extensive damage to trails, infrastructure, and natural areas. It took down the visitor center and the famous Grand Canyon Lodge, the only in-park lodging on the North Rim, and between 50 to 80 other structures. Even after the fire diminished, it created significant safety hazards, including unstable trees, rockfalls, and damaged pathways, too, forcing park officials to close the entire North Rim to protect visitors and allow emergency crews to assess the damage.
Limited access returns to the North Rim, with caveats
The partial reopening marks a cautiously optimistic milestone in the park’s recovery efforts. Visitors will once again be able to access some of the North Rim’s most spectacular viewpoints, including Point Imperial and Cape Royal via the Cape Royal Road. Highway 67 will be accessible up to the W1 road at approximately mile marker 11, while Fire Point and Swamp Ridge will also welcome back visitors.
However, access comes with strict limitations. All reopened areas will be available from sunrise to sunset daily, with overnight camping permitted only at Swamp Point and Fire Point. The partial access will continue through November 30, 2025, or until the first major snowfall forces another closure.
In a statement, Park Superintendent Ed Keable emphasized that this represents just the first phase of several planned reopenings, noting that “we continue to assess post-fire impacts and begin recovery efforts.” The beloved North Kaibab Trail remains completely closed due to extensive damage and dangerous rockfalls along its upper sections.
Visitors planning to explore the reopened areas should prepare for a dramatically different experience. The remote North Rim currently lacks power, running water, cell service, and visitor amenities. Emergency response capabilities are severely limited, making self-sufficiency an absolute necessity. Park officials are urging extreme caution, warning of ongoing hazards, including dead standing trees and potential flash flooding. Recovery crews continue working throughout the area with heavy equipment, adding another layer of complexity for visitors.
The phased reopening reflects the delicate balance between providing public access to these iconic landscapes and ensuring visitor safety while the park heals from fire damage — and while dedicated park teams get to work restoring one of our most precious natural wonders.