Grand Canyon National Park will reopen a portion of the North Kaibab Trail on Wednesday, March 4, restoring limited inner-canyon access nearly eight months after the Dragon Bravo Fire prompted widespread trail closures.
The reopened segment extends from the Clear Creek Trail junction to the Ribbon Falls junction and will be accessible from Phantom Ranch. Park officials say the reopening marks an important step in the recovery process following post-fire safety assessments and trail maintenance.
The North Kaibab Trail has been closed since July 13, 2025, while National Park Service (NPS) crews evaluated burn impacts, stabilized trail conditions, and developed safety plans. Sections of the trail north of Ribbon Falls will remain closed until further notice as staff complete post-winter evaluations and additional maintenance work.
While assessments found that the Dragon Bravo Fire did not significantly increase risks to permanent facilities or overnight use areas at Phantom Ranch, NPS officials say the fire has heightened the potential for flash flooding and debris flows in the Bright Angel Creek watershed. Flash flooding is an inherent hazard in the Grand Canyon, and visitors are responsible for monitoring weather conditions and understanding associated risks before entering the canyon.
To address these concerns, the park has implemented several new mitigation measures, including stream gauges and a comprehensive evacuation and alert plan for the North Kaibab Trail corridor and the Phantom Ranch area.
The park is also expanding public information efforts. New signage explaining flash flood risks and appropriate response actions is being installed throughout the Phantom Ranch area and along the North Kaibab Trail.
Visitors with Phantom Ranch reservations or Bright Angel Campground permits will receive advance notifications, and backcountry and river users are encouraged to register for the alert system.
Kaibab National Forest Reopens Portions of House Rock Valley
In coordination with Grand Canyon National Park, the Kaibab National Forest also reduced its closure area on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The change will reopen approximately 8,600 acres of House Rock Valley and 2.4 miles of the Nankoweap/Saddle Mountain Trail.
Reopened areas include House Rock Valley east of Forest Road 8910 and north of Forest Roads 632 and 3510 to the park boundary at South Canyon, as well as the Nankoweap/Saddle Mountain Trail from Forest Road 610 to the forest boundary with Grand Canyon National Park. Additional details and updates are available on the Kaibab National Forest alerts webpage.
Park officials emphasize that conditions in the canyon can change rapidly due to weather and runoff. Visitors are urged to review current trail conditions, weather forecasts and safety advisories before hiking, as additional closures may occur if safety concerns arise.
The latest updates on weather and trail conditions are available on the Grand Canyon National Park’s Key Hiking Messages webpage.
