Upcoming Trail and Campground Closures at the Grand Canyon
Several Grand Canyon trails and campgrounds will be closed to the public in the coming years as the National Park Service (NPS) prepares for construction of the Transcanyon Waterline.
1. Details of Trail Closures
The expected closures, which will be implemented on a rolling basis through 2025, affect sections of one of the most popular trails in the park: the Bright Angel Trail. Consequently, these closures are necessary as the NPS prepares for the start of construction on a new water line, which will replace a more than 12-mile-long water pipeline first constructed in the 1960s, responsible for providing both potable water and fire suppression.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/TAL-bright-angel-trail-grand-canyon-GCNPCLOSED0923-be1304227e7141619437afe7012fd56e.jpg)
“No hikers or other trail users will be allowed to pass through closure areas under any circumstances,” the NPS wrote in a statement. Moreover, the National Park Service emphasizes the importance of always staying on designated trails. Visitors should not attempt to go over or around a closure. Therefore, trail users are advised to pay attention to directions from park rangers, volunteers, construction flaggers, and signs placed along the trail.
2. Transcanyon Waterline Construction
Starting Oct. 1, the Rim Trail in front of the Bright Angel Lodge will be closed with a detour in place through Nov. 17. Subsequently, on Oct. 12, the NPS will close the Plateau Point Trail from the Tonto Trail junction to Plateau Point, which will remain closed through March 2025.
3. Impact on Campgrounds
On Dec. 1, the Bright Angel Trail will close approximately a half-mile from the trailhead to Silver Bridge, including the Havasupai Gardens Campground. This closure will last through April 2024. Furthermore, the Bright Angel Trail from Havasupai Gardens to Silver Bridge will then close again from Dec. 2, 2024, through March 14, 2025.
The NPS noted the South Kaibab Trail will remain open for private river exchanges when the Bright Angel Trail is closed. In addition, the Bright Angel Campground itself will close from Dec. 19, 2024, through May 9, 2025, and the Silver Bridge will close from Sept. 15, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025.
While some campgrounds will be closed, the NPS is simplifying the process to obtain overnight backcountry permits around the Grand Canyon next year by transitioning to an online reservation system.
