So I'm heading to grad school next year and before I go I wanted to check off hiking down to the colorado river through the grand canyon. originally wanted to do r2r but based on my research it seems the NK trail is extremely unlikely to be open by late spring next year. disappointing but I can pivot.

the backup idea was day 1: south kaibab trail to bright angel campground, day 2: bright angel trail to havasupai gardens, day 3: finish but I'm seeing bright angel campground also needs extensive work and bright angel trail might need more repairs than originally anticipated.

Is it even going to be possible to camp at the river next year in late spring? Any alternative suggestions are welcome btw even if they don't include trekking to the river. I'm also going to pitch a rafting trip but that'll add a significant cost to our trip and its a very different experience than I originally had in my head lol. We're experienced hikers and backpackers so I know that with enough prep and information we can handle whatever we decide on.

The problem is that we're from the east coast and I'm having trouble sorting through all the closures and recommendations and timelines since I'm not familiar with the park or even the arizona desert. Maybe its still a bit too early to try and figure it all out but I know these reservations are hard to get and the sooner I can nail down some details the better.

News Release Date: October 26, 2026
Contact: Grand Canyon Office of Communications

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – Hikers can once again explore several inner-canyon trails. These trails have reopened following repairs after trail damage caused by recent flooding.

The South Kaibab Trail below The Tipoff and the entire River Trail, connecting the South Kaibab to the Bright Angel Trail, has reopened to hikers. The Bright Angel Trail between Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse and Havasupai Gardens has reopened to hikers only. This section will remain closed to stock use as crews continue to repair additional trail damage.

Trail crews will continue technical repairs along the Bright Angel Trail. Hikers should expect intermittent closures and delays and should follow crew instructions and posted signs. Be aware that closure times may change with little notice. Hikers should allow extra time and be prepared for slower travel.

Water will remain off at Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile Resthouses, as well as at Havasupai Gardens for the remainder of the winter season. Hikers must bring all their own water, along with appropriate filtration or water treatment equipment. Hikers are reminded to plan carefully for their trips, carry adequate supplies and be prepared for changes in conditions.

Emergency response times may be delayed in the inner canyon, and rescue is not guaranteed. Hikers should assess their abilities, prepare for changing conditions and understand the risks before beginning their trip.

The Black Bridge, Silver Bridge, Phantom Ranch and the entire North Kaibab Trail remain closed. These closures are in place to protect public safety while recovery and assessment efforts continue. Visitors who enter closed areas in violation of the park closure order may be cited.

Before visiting, hikers should check the park’s Key Hiking Messages webpage for current trail conditions, water availability, closures and other important safety information. 

The Bright Angel Trail closure from Havasupai Gardens to 1.5 mi Resthouse is now reopened!

CURRENTLY OPEN :
Bright Angel Trail from the Bright Angel Trailhead to the River Resthouse
Plateau Point Trail to Plateau Point
River Trail between the River Resthouse and South Kaibab Trail
South Kaibab Trail from the South Kaibab Trailhead to the Black Bridge
Tonto Trail between the Tip-Off to Havasupai Gardens

CLOSED — Due to hazardous conditions caused by flash flooding:
Black Bridge and Silver Bridge spanning the Colorado River.
The entirety of Phantom Ranch, including Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen, and Phantom Ranch cabins.
The entirety of the North Kaibab Trail. From the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, including Cottonwood Campgroud. This closure is a result of significant flash flooding to the Bright Angel Canyon on 8/29.
Boat Beach is closed to all activities except emergencies and brief scouting of the new rapid formed at the mouth of Bright Angel Creek.

The NPS is currently taking public comments until Nov. 6 2026 on several proposed plans to rebuild the lodge. If you feel strongly, go to their website and tell them what you think. In particular, check out the link labeled GRCA NRIM Open House Posters_508.pdf at the bottom of the page for details of the various plans.

Also check out this well made YouTube vid reviewing each option.

Acrylic on canvas, 24” x 36”

South Rim, basically the title! I am visiting a close friend who works in the park, so I’m sure that she will be able to recommend great hikes and scenic views. I’m mainly looking for general suggestions for activities, restaurants and bars, or anything else I should consider checking out during my stay.

Because my friend works in the park and this is basically her whole life, I don’t really want to plan too much hiking so that she can also enjoy her time off. I just want to come in armed with some alternative suggestions - unfortunately I’m a pretty inexperienced traveler, so I don’t really know to best go about finding them 😅.

We have transportation and could go around nearby towns/cities like Flagstaff.

I will definitely also take recommendations for good solo hiking itineraries, as she may need to work at least one of the days that I will be staying with her. I am pretty fit and have solid equipment.

Thanks in advance!

Did this 18 mile loop today with my boss. So much fun below the rim!

I was lucky to see this grand building before it burnt to the ground.

Hi friends ~ I'm interested in going to the GC for a day trip on Christmas for a solo hike, but I've never been there before. I've been researching and planning, but I'm not local, so I'm not sure if locals know more about what it's like in late December, and if it's worth it or not to drive the 2+ hours to get there. Thanks for any tips ❤️

The hardest part about visiting is trying to capture the scope of the place. And it’s really impossible, you just have to see it for yourself. These are a few from our visit.

Hi all, I heard about the flooding and was just wondering if it was still worth it to go to Grand Canyon in mid November? It seems like many trails are still open. It'll be my first time going. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to hike around the South Rim in early-mid November.

I was wondering if I'll need / want traction spikes for the hike to 1.5 Mile Rest.

Obviously nobody can predict the weather, but can anyone with experience weigh in?

Thanks

EDIT:

I'm bringing ExoSpikes

Hey guys i'm visitng Arizona for the weekend & I will be leaving Sedona around 5-6pm friday to head up to Page to Kayak Horseshoe Bend saturday morning I'm gonna be car camping for the night. Most likely gonna go check out the south rim for the afternoon after. I'm just looking to get some sleep so either dispersed or a campground would work could someone recommend me an area at least to consider I would appreciate it. I did some research but still unsure thank you.

(Edit: fave pastry spots in Sedona??)

Took lots of photos of the clouds in the canyon yesterday. I’ll post more when I get home.

For those who have done the above and have just a single car, how did you manage logistics? Looks like there’s a forest road that runs parallel so could hike the extra 6 miles if necessary in between, but did you hire transport in between or take a risk on hitchhiking (which I think the park prohibits?). The second time i did SK/BA I just hiked over from the backcountry lot to the SK TH rather than deal with the shuttle and I trail run so the extra miles wouldn’t be that big a deal.

Also does anyone have a recent trail conditions report? Want to confirm there hasn’t been any recent landslides with the rain. I have done both Tanner and Hermits in addition to both SK/BA and north rim to River, so I am not concerned about distance or remoteness, but I also am not looking to do any class 5 or really class 4.

Finally, I’d likely be doing this with an out of state friend, who, while a marathon runner, has not been to the canyon before. I’m thinking maybe the safer option is to just to grandview down to the Tonto plateau if we’re making good timing we could then continue onto the river as an out and back.

This would be in mid November

CURRENTLY OPEN :
Bright Angel Trail from the Bright Angel Trailhead to Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse
Plateau Point Trail to Plateau Point
South Kaibab Trail from the South Kaibab Trailhead to the Tip-Off
Tonto Trail between the Tip-Off to Havasupai Gardens

CLOSED — Due to hazardous conditions caused by flash flooding:
Bright Angel Trail between Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse and Havasupai Gardens. This closure will remain in effect until further notice.
South Kaibab Trail below Tip-Off Point.
The River Trail east of the River Resthouse to the South Kaibab Trail junction.
Black Bridge and Silver Bridge spanning the Colorado River.
The entirety of Phantom Ranch, including Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen, and Phantom Ranch cabins.
The entirety of the North Kaibab Trail. From the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, including Cottonwood Campgroud. This closure is a result of significant flash flooding to the Bright Angel Canyon on 8/29.
Boat Beach is closed to all activities except emergencies and brief scouting of the new rapid formed at the mouth of Bright Angel Creek.

Hi all, I'm thinking about a trip to the Grand Canyon the first 1-2 weeks of November. I'm looking for strenuous hikes and from what I understand I'll be limited to the south rim this time of year. Sorry if this question has been asked 1000's of times but can anyone give me some updated advice on some good challenging hikes as well as weather predictions for that time?

Appreciate any and all advice!

So flying to Las Vegas on 22nd ,staying for couple days there and we want to make a day hike in grand canyon national park starting 24th early morning and finish same day ... Any recommendations for which trail(s)to take and how much water to carry per person.

Hi, I'm flying into Las Vegas next year (September 2027). I have booked an overnight stay at Thunderbird lodge at the South Rim for the Sunday 19th September (cost $449 for 4 adults).

With my itinerary below, we hope to get at least half of the Sunday afternoon (arrival day) and evening at the South rim.

I'm just worried that with the driving from Zion to the South rim being a long drive and hoping the traffic is on outside that an afternoon and evening won't be enough time?

My itinerary is below (day 6 is Grand Canyon South), sorry it's long and only one part is the Grand Canyon South, but I wanted to show how it fits in.

*Thank you in advance for any input, it is massively appreciated.

Day 1 - Vegas

DAY 2 - Vegas

DAY 3 - Valley of Fire + Hoover Dam (DAY TRIP)

DAY 4 - VEGAS → ZION (1st night) staying at Zion lodge

DAY 5 - FULL ZION DAY staying at Zion lodge

DAY 6 - ZION → GRAND CANYON (SOUTH RIM) staying at Thunderbird lodge

07:00 — Depart

Stop 1: Kanab (coffee + fuel)

Stop 2: Horseshoe Bend (~8:30–9:00 arrival) • 1 hr stop

Stop 3: Page (lunch + fuel) •  Antelope Canyon only if pre-booked

Stop 4: Cameron Trading Post

DAY 7 - ROUTE 66 → LAS VEGAS

Stops: • Williams • Seligman • Hackberry General Store • Cool Springs • Kingman

Heading to Zion next week, then over to the South Rim. First time in both parks. My dad and I have a full day to explore / transit between the parks. Looking forward to entering the GCNP from the east and seeing Desert View. Should we make time for Horseshoe Bend and Navajo Bridge? Any recs for this transit day would be much appreciated. Hiking / Food / History. Thx