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On 29 August, at about 2.30pm, a major flash flood swept through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area [1]. Nearly all the footbridges over Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, and dozens of people were evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail [1]. Two walkers died, and a third member of their group was still missing in early September, according to the park [2] [3]. A second flash flood on 16 September damaged the temporary water intake that crews were building [4].
What is closed, and for how long
The US National Park Service closed Phantom Ranch, the North Kaibab Trail and the two bridges over the Colorado River straight after the flood, then extended the closures to the lower South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails on 3 September [1] [5]. As of 21 October, the park still gives no estimated reopening date; the closures protect visitors from hazards and leave room for damage assessments and repairs [6]. The table sums up the state of the main trails.
| Trail or area | Status |
|---|---|
| Bright Angel Trail, trailhead to Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse | Open |
| Bright Angel Trail, Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse to Havasupai Gardens | Closed until further notice |
| South Kaibab Trail, trailhead to Tip-Off | Open |
| Tonto Trail, Tip-Off to Havasupai Gardens, and Plateau Point Trail | Open |
| South Kaibab Trail below Tip-Off | Closed |
| Black Bridge and Silver Bridge over the Colorado River | Closed |
| Phantom Ranch: Bright Angel Campground, canteen and cabins | Closed |
| North Kaibab Trail, trailhead to Phantom Ranch, including Cottonwood Campground | Closed |
From the park’s Key Hiking Messages page, updated 21 October 2026. No reopening date has been announced.
In practice, there is no rim-to-rim crossing this season: with the North Kaibab Trail and both bridges closed, the main trails no longer link the two rims. Even before the flood, the park had planned to close the North Kaibab between Redwall Bridge and Cottonwood Campground from 15 October until about February 2027 for work on the Transcanyon Waterline, the pipeline that carries water from the North Rim to the South Rim [7]. All water inside the canyon is turned off, so carry enough for the whole walk or be ready to treat water from natural sources [6].
Where you can stay on the rims
The flood also wrecked the old Transcanyon Waterline, including about 40% of the pipe between the Phantom Ranch area and the North Rim, leaving the South Rim living off stored water [8]. Under stage 4 water restrictions, the park suspended overnight stays on 31 August at El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village; hotels in Tusayan, just outside the park, are not affected [9]. As of 19 October, overnight stays inside the park were still suspended, and only camping without water at the pitch was available [10].
There is a timetable, with caveats. The park expects to start pumping water from a temporary intake on Bright Angel Creek by 16 November, and to supply residents by Thanksgiving, on 26 November, which would let the concession operators bring back overnight stays in stages; it stresses that these dates are provisional [8]. On the North Rim, the entrance stays open until 30 November, or until the first heavy snowfall, but without services: the campsite, shop and petrol station are closed for the season, and there is no tap water [11].
What to check before you go
- The park’s Key Hiking Messages page, on the morning you set off: open trails, closures and water points [6].
- Water: bring your own drinking water to the South Rim, as the park asks, and carry plenty below the rim, where every tap is off [8] [6].
- Your bookings: stays inside the park are suspended, but backcountry permits are still issued at the South Rim Backcountry Information Center and on Recreation.gov [12].
Entrance fees, reservations and the $100 surcharge for visitors from abroad are covered in our guide to US national park fees. To carry and treat water, see our guide to water for wild camping, and to raise the alarm in a canyon with no signal, our guide to getting help when the signal runs out. In a park still under repair, the most useful page is the one the rangers update first: read it before every walk.
FAQs
Is the Grand Canyon open at the moment?
Yes, both rims are open, but with major restrictions. The bottom of the canyon has been closed since the flash flood of 29 August 2026, including Phantom Ranch and the North Kaibab Trail, and overnight stays at the park’s South Rim lodges are suspended because of water shortages. The North Rim stays open until 30 November or the first heavy snowfall, without services.
Can you walk rim to rim across the Grand Canyon this winter?
No. The North Kaibab Trail and both bridges over the Colorado River have been closed since the flood of 29 August, with no reopening date as of 21 October 2026. Work on the Transcanyon Waterline was also due to close part of the North Kaibab from 15 October until about February 2027.
Is Phantom Ranch open?
No. Phantom Ranch, with its cabins, canteen and Bright Angel Campground, has been closed since the flash flood of 29 August 2026, which destroyed nearly all the footbridges over Bright Angel Creek. The National Park Service has announced no reopening date; its Key Hiking Messages page gives the latest status.
Sources
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘Significant Flash Flooding Closes Phantom Ranch and North Kaibab Trail’, news release, 30 August 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/significant-flash-flooding-closes-phantom-ranch-and-north-kaibab-trail.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘Two Deceased Hikers Recovered and Identified Following Flash Flood’, news release, 1 September 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/two-deceased-hikers-recovered-and-identified-following-flash-flood.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘Grand Canyon National Park Announces Recovery and Repair Plan Following Flash Flood’, news release, 8 September 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-announces-recovery-and-repair-plan-following-flash-flood.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘Crews Assessing New Damage Following Second Flash Flood Event at Grand Canyon National Park’, news release, 17 September 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/crews-assessing-new-damage-following-second-flash-flood-event-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘Grand Canyon National Park Expands Inner Canyon Closures Following August 29 Flash Flood’, news release, 3 September 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-expands-inner-canyon-closures-following-august-29-flash-flood.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘Key Hiking Messages: Critical Updates and Closures’, updated 21 October 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/key-messages.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘North Kaibab Trail Access Changes Begin October 15 for Transcanyon Waterline Project Work’, news release, 29 April 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-kaibab-trail-access-changes-oct-15-2026.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘Grand Canyon National Park Announces Projected Dates for Restoring Water to South Rim’, news release, 19 September 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-announces-projected-dates-for-restoring-water-to-south-rim.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘Grand Canyon National Park to Close Overnight Hotel Accommodations Beginning August 31’, news release, 30 August 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-close-overnight-hotel-accommodations-beginning-august-31.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, home page, ‘South Rim: Lodging and Camping’, updated 19 October 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘Status of the North Rim’, updated 20 October 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/northrimstatus.htm ↩
- National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park, ‘Modified Fall Operations Begin at Grand Canyon’s North Rim Oct. 15’, news release, 30 September 2026, accessed 24 October 2026. nps.gov https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/modified-fall-operations-north-rim-2026.htm ↩
Practical guides and news
Articles signed by the editorial team are prepared collectively, from the official texts, standards and studies listed at the end of each article. Every article is dated, and updated when the rules change.
Nolwenn Bastide
Guillaume Hoarau