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North Rim begins seasonal closures, park to remain open for day use through Dec. 1

Grand Canyon's North Rim. Photo/Katy Locke NHO

Grand Canyon's North Rim. Photo/Katy Locke NHO

GRAND CANYON - NORTH RIM, Ariz. - Operations on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin seasonal shut-down of most visitor services Oct. 16.

The North Rim will close for the season at 8 a.m. Dec. 1. They will remain open until Dec. 1 or until snow closes Highway 67 leading into the park.

Regularly scheduled ranger-led programs will continue through Oct. 15 with the final evening program beginning at 8 p.m. that evening.

From Oct. 16 to Oct. 24 the North Rim Visitor Center will be staffed and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Grand Canyon Lodge, will continue to take reservations through Oct. 15. The last meal served at the Grand Canyon Lodge will be breakfast Oct. 16.

The Grand Canyon Lodge gift shop will remain open from 9 to 5 p.m through Dec. 1. Self-service gas and diesel fuel will continue to be available in the park through Dec. 1. Canyon Trail Rides will offer their last mule rides on Oct. 15.

Through Oct. 31, Rangers will collect visitor entrance and campground fees. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 1 entrance fees are paid at the automated fee machine located behind the visitor center.

Entrance fees are $30 per vehicle, $25 for motorcycles and $15 for walk-ups and bicycles, all good for seven days for both North and South Rims.

North Rim campground sites are available by reservation through Oct. 31. Campground reservations are booked online at www.recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777.

From Nov. 1 through May 15, the North Rim Campground reverts to primitive use with backcountry reservations required. Reservations can be obtained from the Backcountry Information Center and are necessary prior to arrival.

The North Rim Backcountry Information Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week through Oct. 31. The South Rim Backcountry Information Center remains open year round and is available by email at grca_bic@nps.gov or at (928) 638-7875.

Through the month of November or until snow closes Highway 67, the park will remain open from dawn to dusk for day-use. Weather and road conditions permitting, visitors will have access to Bright Angel Point, Point Imperial and Cape Royal as well as the North Kaibab trailhead. Inner canyon users with a valid backcountry permit will be allowed to park overnight at the North Kaibab trailhead. A limited number of campsites at the North Rim Campground will be available to hikers with advanced reservations.

A backcountry permit is required and will be available through the South Rim Back Country Information Center. No overnight parking or car camping will be allowed.

Hikers and cross country skiers will still be able to enter the North Rim of the park through the winter months with valid backcountry permits.

The Kaibab Lodge located four miles north of the park boundary will have full service through Oct. 20. The North Rim Country Store, located across the street from the Kaibab Lodge will remain open until noon Oct. 30, weather permitting.

Jacob Lake Inn, restaurant and gas station located 45 miles from the North Rim remains open year-round.

Beginning Oct. 17 through Dec. 31, the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center at Jacob Lake will be open on weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Arizona Department of Transportation officials intend to keep Highway 67 open through Dec. 1 but a major storm with heavy snowfall could close the road earlier.

After Oct. 15 visitors should be prepared for winter driving and travel conditions and are encouraged to call Arizona Highway Information at (888) 411-7623 in advance of their trip to check on the status of Highway 67.

State Highway 89A remains open year-round.

The South Rim and inner canyon facilities of Grand Canyon National Park are open year-round. More information is available at (928) 638-7888 or by visiting www.nps.gov/grca.


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