Three of the Grand Canyon’s most iconic hiking routes are closed through at least June 30, 2026, and the North Rim Campground is reopening this month with significant caveats for anyone planning an overnight stay. The good news: the vast majority of the park is fully open, including all South Rim overlooks, the Bright Angel Trail, the South Kaibab Trail, the Rim Trail, and the South Rim’s lodges, restaurants, and visitor services. If you’re heading to the canyon this summer, here’s exactly what’s closed, why it matters, and how to adjust your plans.
River Trail — Closed Due to Rockfall Collapse
The River Trail is the 1.7-mile path along the Colorado River bench that connects the bottom of the South Kaibab Trail (at the Black Bridge / Kaibab Suspension Bridge) to the bottom of the Bright Angel Trail (at the Silver Bridge / Bright Angel Suspension Bridge). It’s a critical connector for rim-to-rim hikers, overnight Phantom Ranch guests, and anyone completing the popular South Kaibab-down / Bright Angel-up loop.
With the River Trail closed due to rockfall, you cannot walk the Colorado River bench between the two bridges. The practical impact depends on your route:
- If you’re doing the Bright Angel loop (down and back on the same trail), you’re unaffected.
- If you’re doing the South Kaibab down / Bright Angel up (or vice versa), you’ll need to use the Black Bridge (Kaibab Suspension Bridge) crossing and route through Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch to connect the two corridors. The distance is slightly longer but very walkable.
- Rim-to-rim hikers (North Rim to South Rim or reverse) are the most affected. The river-level traverse between the two bridges via River Trail is the standard connector — without it, the crossing still works via Black Bridge, but factor in the extra distance through the campground and ranch area.
Check current conditions at the NPS Grand Canyon conditions page before heading into the inner canyon.
Plateau Point Trail — Closed Due to Rockfall Collapse
Plateau Point is a spur trail off the Bright Angel corridor, branching out from Indian Garden (now called Havasupai Gardens) at mile 4.6. The 1.5-mile spur leads to a flat promontory above the Colorado River gorge with one of the most dramatic unobstructed canyon views available on foot — it’s a genuine bucket-list viewpoint for experienced hikers willing to put in the 12-mile round trip from the rim.
With the Plateau Point Trail closed due to the same rockfall event affecting the River Trail, that specific viewpoint is off the table for now.
The alternative: Havasupai Gardens (Indian Garden) itself, at the 4.6-mile mark on Bright Angel, offers solid canyon views and is still accessible. It’s not the same dramatic perch above the inner gorge that Plateau Point provides, but the cottonwood grove and creek at the Gardens are worth the hike for fit, early-starting hikers in spring or fall conditions. In June heat, reaching Havasupai Gardens is a serious undertaking — start before 6am and turn around no later than 10am.
The South Rim overlooks — Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station, Powell Point, Pima Point — all remain fully open and accessible without any inner-canyon hiking.
North Kaibab Trail — Closed Due to Dragon Bravo Fire Damage
The North Kaibab Trail is the only maintained corridor trail descending from the North Rim to the canyon floor. The Dragon Bravo Fire caused significant trail damage, and the North Kaibab is closed through at least June 30.
This closure has a major structural impact on rim-to-rim hiking: without a passable North Kaibab Trail, there is no way to complete a true rim-to-rim traverse (South Rim to North Rim or North Rim to South Rim) on foot. Anyone who had a rim-to-rim permit and itinerary for this season should contact the Backcountry Information Center immediately to understand options.
For the South Rim experience, the North Kaibab closure doesn’t affect most visitors at all — you won’t use it unless you’re specifically hiking from the North Rim. The South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails on the South Rim side are both open.
The North Rim itself remains accessible by road and open for day use.
North Rim Campground — Reopening in June, But With Major Caveats
The North Rim Campground is reopening this month after its winter closure, but 2026 is not a standard season:
- No potable water at the campground. Pack a minimum of 2 gallons per person per day — more in warm weather. Do not rely on any water being available on-site.
- No RV electrical hookups. This campground is walk-in tents and vehicles only this season, with no shore power. Generator hours are limited.
- Black tank required for RV waste. With no hookups, full self-contained RV systems are necessary.
If you’re planning a North Rim camping trip this summer, this is not the season for a casual drive-up with an unprepared vehicle setup. Plan for true dispersed-camping conditions even at an established campground.
What Remains Open
To be clear about what’s fully available: both major South Rim corridor trails (Bright Angel and South Kaibab) are open, all South Rim overlooks and the 13-mile paved Rim Trail are open, all South Rim lodges and restaurants are operating, helicopter tours from Tusayan are running, and the Colorado River rafting season is in full swing.
The Grand Canyon is not closed — it’s one of the most spectacular places on earth and worth every visit. These three trail closures affect specific inner-canyon routes, not the broader South Rim experience that most visitors come for.
For live conditions and permit status, check the NPS Grand Canyon park conditions page before your trip. Conditions can change, and that page reflects current updates from park rangers.
For full trip planning, see our Grand Canyon destination guide.