Visits to the North Rim will have to wait. What to know about Grand Canyon delayed opening

Jill Cassidy, Arizona Republic
·3 min read

People looking forward to the opening of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will have to wait a little longer this year.

The rim's seasonal closure begins in mid-October and the Grand Canyon's North Rim normally opens for the season in mid-May. However, this year, it is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. Friday, June 2.

The North Rim received a record amount of snow this winter — more than 20 feet by early April. The delay is needed so that State Route 67 can be plowed and staff can reopen the lodge and other visitor facilities.

“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of our neighbors and visitors with this delay as our partners and park staff work to open the North Rim roads, trails, and facilities safely,” Superintendent Ed Keable said in a statement.

Here's what to know if you have reservations at Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim or the North Rim Campground.

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Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park was covered with snow and icicles on April 4, 2023. The North Rim has so far received more than 250 inches of accumulated snowfall this winter.
Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park was covered with snow and icicles on April 4, 2023. The North Rim has so far received more than 250 inches of accumulated snowfall this winter.

When will Grand Canyon North Rim lodge, roads and trails open in 2023?

The park announced the following schedule on Friday, April 7.

April 12-June 2

  • North Kaibab Trail is closed from Cottonwood Campground to the North Kaibab Trailhead. The North Kaibab Trail and North Rim pipeline were damaged by rockfall and landslides, making many areas unsafe and impassable. This closure will allow repairs to take place. Hikers will not be permitted through this area for any reason.

June 2

  • The Visitor Contact Station will reopen and daily ranger-led programs will resume.

  • The Grand Canyon Conservancy Bookstore will reopen.

  • The Backcountry Information Center will reopen.

  • Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, including lodging, groceries, retail, dining, shower, laundry and the gas station are anticipated to open. The lodge dining room will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with reservations required for dinner.

  • Mule rides will resume. Contact Grand Canyon Trail Ride at 435-679-8665 or canyonrides.com for details.

June 9

  • The North Rim Campground will reopen. Make reservations by calling 877-444-6777 or at recreation.gov. Reservations for Demotte Campground, 7 miles north of the park entrance in Kaibab National Forest, can be made at recreation.gov.

July 1

  • The Cape Royal and Point Imperial roads will reopen. Snow removal and road repairs will keep those roads closed until this date.

  • Access to the Widforss Trail, Point Sublime, the North Bass Trailhead and other destinations on the Kaibab Plateau within the park will reopen after downed trees blocking the routes are removed.

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Reach me at jill.cassidy@arizonarepublic.com or follow me on Twitter @JillHikes.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grand Canyon North Rim won't open on time in 2023. Here's why