Need More Proof Summer’s Over? North Rim Shifts To Day Use Only Next Week

If you haven't noticed it yet, the summer season is pretty much at the end of the line. Not to say that we are shoveling snow in the next day or two (one never knows), but with the turning of the leaves and air conditioner use nonexistent, we are in that transition time of year.

One more sign of that transition will happen on Monday, October 16^th, when operations at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will shift to day use only. A week from today, the Grand Canyon Lodge will be closed, and no overnight accommodations, including camping, will be available to visitors at the North Rim.

NPS

If you are planning a trip to the North Rim after this weekend, the park advises you to come fully supplied and be self sufficient for your visit with enough food and water for the day.

Not everything will be shut down, however. The self service gas station which also has diesel fuel, will be open as long as State Route 67 is open. The station will only accept credit or debit cards at the pumps.

National Park Service

The North Rim Visitor Center will close for the season at 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 15^th. The visitor center is operated by Grand Canyon Conservancy. The North Rim Backcountry Information Center will close for the season on October 31^st. The General Store, along with all retail food and beverage services will close Monday, October 16^th at 11 a.m.

Of course, all this preparatory to the closing of the North Rim for the year. Unless there is a major snow storm before, the gates will be closed on Arizona State Route 67 at dusk on November 30^th, ending vehicular access to the North Rim.

Courtesy Kaibab National Forest

If this winter is on par with the last, as many are predicting, it could be over six months before vehicle traffic will return to the North Rim. This year it wasn't until June 2^nd that operations began at the North Rim, and even then it was on a limited basis.

Will There be this much snow this year? Courtesy National Park Service/E. Shalla

If you do travel to the North Rim between October 17^th and November 30^th, or until the road is closed, park officials remind you that snow, ice and rain are common at that time of the year and travelers should be prepared for winter driving conditions.

If you decide to travel during that time you can get road conditions from Arizona Highway Information by calling 1-888-411-ROAD.