A key stretch of the North Kaibab Trail inside Grand Canyon National Park is set to reopen next month, marking an important step toward restoring access to the inner canyon after last year’s Dragon Bravo Fire.
Park officials say the section of trail between the Clear Creek Trail Junction and the Ribbon Falls junction will reopen to the public on Wednesday, March 4. The reopened portion is accessed from Phantom Ranch. The North Kaibab Trail has been closed since July 2025 while crews completed post-fire safety assessments and repairs.
Sections of the trail north of Ribbon Falls will remain closed until further notice. The National Park Service says winter weather and lingering impacts from the fire require additional evaluation before those areas can safely reopen.
While post-fire assessments found that the Dragon Bravo Fire did not significantly increase risks to permanent facilities at Phantom Ranch, the burn scar has heightened concerns about flash flooding and debris flows in the Bright Angel Creek watershed.
To address those risks, the National Park Service has put several new safety measures in place. Working with the U.S. Geological Survey, the park has installed new stream gages and precipitation monitors to provide real-time data and early warning of rapidly rising water levels. Officials have also updated evacuation and alert plans for the North Kaibab Trail corridor and the Phantom Ranch area.
New signage is being installed along the trail and near Phantom Ranch to help visitors understand flood risks and how to respond if conditions change. Visitors with overnight reservations at Phantom Ranch or Bright Angel Campground will receive advance safety information, and backcountry users are encouraged to sign up for park alerts.
Park officials stress that flash flooding is an inherent hazard in the Grand Canyon and that hikers are responsible for monitoring weather conditions and understanding the risks before entering the canyon.
Nearby public lands are also reopening. In coordination with the National Park Service, the Kaibab National Forest began reducing its closure area this week. About 8,600 acres of House Rock Valley and a portion of the Nankoweap–Saddle Mountain Trail have reopened to the public.
Officials caution that conditions in and around the canyon can change quickly due to weather or runoff, and additional closures remain possible if safety concerns arise. Visitors are urged to check trail conditions, weather forecasts, and park alerts before heading out.
The latest information on trail access and safety updates is available through Grand Canyon National Park’s hiking and alerts webpages.
