Grand Canyon National Park starts partial reopening today

Those looking to get out and hike the Grand Canyon National Park will be able to do so starting Friday.

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Grand Canyon National Park has decided to increase recreational access to selected South Rim viewpoints for limited day-use access.

National Park Service

The park’s South Rim South Entrance will reopen without entrance fees this weekend from 6 to 10 am. The park recommends arriving no later than 9:30 am in case of traffic backups entering the park — once you enter the park, you can stay throughout the day.

These include viewpoints at Pipe Creek Vista, Twin Overlooks, Duck on a Rock, Thor’s Hammer, No Name Point, and Navajo Point along East Desert View Drive.

 

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Those wanting to unpack a bite to eat will be able to picnic the areas east of Yaki Road, Thor’s Hammer, and Buggeln Picnic area. Several restroom facilities will be opened, including the ones located by the South Entrance Grand Canyon National Park sign, ones at the picnic area east of Yaki Road, and the Buggeln picnic area.

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According to the National Park Service, they’re working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the pandemic and are using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

All overnight camping is currently prohibited, commercial services within the park will remain closed, and visitors are reminded to be self-sufficient.

“This initial reopening phase will increase access to our public lands in a responsible way by offering the main feature of the park for the public, the view of the canyon, while reducing the potential exposure of COVID-19 to our nearly 2,500 residents,” said Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable in a news release.