The Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park is set to reopen May 15, according to a recent park release. This is welcome news to canyon hikers planning to explore the canyon from the South Rim visitor area. The Bright Angel Campground is also set to reopen, though group sites won’t be available until October 1.
The trail opening will allow visitors to descend into the canyon to Pipe Creek Beach, but due to construction delays, the River Trail and Silver Bridge will remain closed through September. The River Resthouse will be open, but there will be no access to Phantom Ranch via the Bright Angel Trail.
Hikers from the South Rim may traverse between the Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab Trail via the Tonto Trail.
For those wishing to hike rim-to-rim, the best route will be to use the South to North Kaibab Trail route. The South Kaibab trail is steeper than Bright Angel Trail and has no water available. The park strongly advises hikers to hike before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. when temperatures are cooler, bringing extra water and snacks and taking frequent rest breaks in the shade.”
The park also strongly encouraged those who are attempting rigorous distances in the canyon, such as rim-to-rim, to be self-reliant and to understand their own physical limitations to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders.
They noted limited staff may delay assistance time with rescue calls.
Transcanyon Waterline Project
The Bright Angel Trail closure is part of a multi-year project to replace the failing Transcanyon Waterline system, which delivers water to visitors on the South and North Rims, canyon campgrounds and rest stops.
Since 2010, there have been over 85 major breaks in the waterline, according to the park’s webpage. “The new water delivery system will meet water service needs at the South Rim and inner canyon for the next 50 plus years, while protecting natural and cultural resources, maintaining the visitor experience and reducing maintenance requirements.”
Initial construction on this $208 million project began in spring 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2026, although delays could impact the schedule.
Below is a list of current area closures:
- Plateau Point Trail from the Tonto Trail West junction to Plateau Point
- Oct. 12, 2023-Sept. 30, 2025
- Bright Angel Trail from Havasupai Gardens to River Trail and River Trail
- Oct. 21, 2024-May 14, 2025
- River Trail east of River Resthouse to South Kaibab Trail junction
- Oct. 21, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025
- Silver Bridge
- Oct. 21, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025
- Bright Angel Campground
- Nov. 4, 2024-May 14, 2025
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