Grand Canyon North Rim Set to Reopen May 15 After 2025 Wildfire Closure

After nearly a year of closure, the Grand Canyon's quieter, higher, and far more remote North Rim will swing back open at 6 a.m. on May 15, following the Dragon Bravo Fire's sweep through 145,504 acres of Kaibab Plateau last summer.

The Dragon Bravo Fire ignited by lightning on July 4, 2025, and wasn't fully contained until September 29. It burned 113 structures in the process, including the 95-year-old Grand Canyon Lodge. Suppression costs reached $135 million, making it the seventh-largest wildfire in Arizona history. The North Rim briefly reopened in September before closing again on November 14.

Park spokesperson Joelle Baird said the May 15 date "was based on meeting minimum operational and safety conditions following the Dragon Bravo Fire," including securing access, basic sanitation, and emergency response capabilities. The National Park Service is framing its approach to the 2026 season with a clear operating principle: "We will open what we can, where we can, when we can."

All paved roadways reopen on May 15: Highway 67, Cape Royal Road, and Point Imperial Road, restoring access to the rim's most celebrated viewpoints, including Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla Overlook, and Angels Window. The entire North Kaibab Trail also opens that day, but for foot traffic only. Stock use is suspended for the season, and trail rehabilitation work will continue throughout the summer.

Overnight lodging at the North Rim won't return this season. The Grand Canyon Lodge is gone. Cottonwood Campground will be open for backcountry users, but anyone expecting the classic lodge experience will need to anchor their trip from gateway communities instead. Vehicles longer than 22 feet are prohibited on Cape Royal and Point Imperial roads due to tight turns and limited parking.

Stage 3 water restrictions remain active at the park as crews continue work on the Transcanyon Waterline Replacement Project, a consequence of the fire's damage to the rim's water infrastructure. Check current alerts and road conditions before heading up to the Kaibab; with recovery work ongoing through the season, access details are subject to change.