North Rim reopening paired access with continuing recovery

Grand Canyon National Park announced on May 21, 2026, that the North Rim had reopened for the summer after the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire. Its account described renewed access alongside continuing trail repairs and limits on services. ^[1]

The release said paved park roads were open, including Highway 67 and the routes to Cape Royal and Point Imperial. The entire North Kaibab Trail had reopened to pedestrians on May 15, with stock use suspended for the season. Cottonwood Campground also reopened May 15. ^[1]

Recovery work still affected the trip. NPS warned that maintenance could produce temporary trail closures or delays. On the upper North Kaibab Trail, burned terrain could bring flash floods, debris flows, rockfalls, erosion and falling trees, especially during storms or heavy rain. ^[1]

The park said it had added stream and precipitation gauges and improved visitor notifications in the Bright Angel Creek watershed with the U.S. Geological Survey. It also said no potable water would be available anywhere on the North Rim during the 2026 season, requiring visitors to carry what they needed. The general store offered limited supplies and bottled water. ^[1]

A later September 3 NPS notice said the North Kaibab Trail and Cottonwood Campground had closed after August 29 flooding. The May reopening notice therefore does not establish current access. ^[2]

About this item: Retrospective source brief. No first-hand reporting or independent testing is claimed. Corrections policy.