Grand Canyon North Rim fire: What you should know if you have plans to visit the national park

The Dragon Bravo wildfire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park forced the evacuation and closure of a portion of the park this past weekend. Only the North Rim — not to be confused with the more frequented South Rim of the park — will remain closed for the remainder of the 2025 season.

There are also hiking trail closures in effect for the North Kaibab Trail, the South Kaibab Trail and Phantom Ranch due to a release of chlorine gas related to the fire that destroyed the North Rim Water Treatment Facility.

Thankfully, there have been no reported injuries or fatalities due to the fire, but many structures at the North Rim — including the visitor center, the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and cabins — were lost to the fire. This closure will also affect hikers who may have a permit for the popular rim-to-rim hike while the North Rim closure is in effect.

Here's a guide on what to do if you have a trip planned to the Grand Canyon in the near future.

The North Rim vs. the South Rim

Grand Canyon National Park is in the northwest corner of Arizona and has three entrances.

The South Rim entrance

The most popular and most visited entrance is at the South Rim entrance through the town of Tusayan, Arizona, about one hour north of Flagstaff. This location has the majority of the lodging and services in and near the park. It will get you to Grand Canyon Village, which has a visitor center, recreational vehicle campgrounds and a post office; it also has historic lodges, such as El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins and Yavapai Lodge.

The East entrance

The east entrance on state Route 64 is accessible from the town of Cameron, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. This connects the overlook road (state Route 64) past Desert View Watchtower and back toward Grand Canyon Village and all South Rim locations.

The North Rim entrance

If you are at the South Rim, the North Rim is a five-hour trip by car — over 220 miles. The closest food and fuel services outside the North Rim entrance of the park are at the Jacob Lake Inn in Fredonia, Arizona. The North Rim is more remote, and it has traditionally been open from May 15 to Oct. 15 each year (weather permitting) and closed during the winter months due to road conditions.

Is it safe to travel to Grand Canyon National Park?

Yes, it is safe to travel to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon near Tusayan and Grand Canyon Village, but the North Rim and state Route 67 at Jacob Lake into the North Park entrance are closed. The current advisory on the park website states that "smoke is expected to remain visible from the South Rim, and air quality conditions may vary depending on fire behavior and wind patterns."

The park's website lists closures for the North Kaibab Trail, the South Kaibab Trail and Phantom Ranch. If you have a hike planned (including a rim-to-rim hike), we suggest contacting the Backcountry Permit office for alternatives and reading the rules and restrictions on its website. Summer conditions are always harsh in the canyon, and water availability could be affected due to the loss of the North Rim facilities.

The National Park Service is updating multiple emergency messages on its website. We suggest bookmarking the operations page, which details any updates, including hiking restrictions.

The NPS and Grand Canyon Conservancy have several webcams at key points along the South Rim. These cameras allow visitors to check traffic conditions at the South Rim entrance station, admire the view of the canyon from various viewpoints and observe air quality and visibility.

If you plan to travel north of the Grand Canyon through Fredonia and onward to Kanab, Utah (toward Zion National Park), you can check road conditions on Arizona 511. Currently, parts of state Route 89A in northern Arizona are closed due to a second fire, the White Sage Fire.

When will the Grand Canyon's North Rim reopen after the Dragon Bravo Fire?

Due to the damage to the NPS facilities at the North Rim, the NPS announced that the North Rim location is closed through the end of the year. Due to weather conditions, it would normally close on or around Oct. 15 annually. At this time, it remains unknown if any campgrounds at the North Rim were spared or will reopen in the 2026 season.

The NPS has a wildfire status link and advisories posted on its website.

What to do if you have lodging or a campsite booked in Grand Canyon National Park?

The South Rim locations of the park currently remain unaffected by wildfires; however, the North Rim locations, including the Grand Canyon Lodge and historic cabins operated by Aramark, have all been lost to the fire. A statement on the lodge website announced that all personnel are safe and guests with future reservations will hear from them soon. There is also a link to the official NPS press release.

Campsite reservations at the North Rim are also canceled, and a statement on the Recreation.gov website directed guests to look at Mather and Desert View campgrounds (on the South Rim) as alternatives.

Will your credit card or trip insurance cover changes? 

TPG has a comprehensive guide on credit cards that covers trip cancellation and interruption, including what might be covered in a natural disaster.

Related: 4 times your credit card's travel insurance can help with travel woes, and 7 times it won't

Bottom line

If you have a trip planned to Grand Canyon National Park, double-check the location of your reservation to see if your trip is affected so you can take appropriate steps to reroute or rebook. The most recent updates and advisories will be posted on the official website for the park. TPG will continue to follow the story and report on any updates.