2025 was a rough year for some national parks: Raging wildfires and intense flooding shut down several parks, and, unfortunately, some of those parks show no signs of reopening anytime soon.
If you had your heart set on completing the Rim to Rim Trail in the Grand Canyon or camping in Big Bend this year, odds are that your plans will have to wait. Worry not, though: There are plenty of national forests, state parks, and other outdoor sites that will fulfill those same fantasies. Here’s what’s likely to be shut down or disrupted in 2026, and where you should go instead.
Grand Canyon National Park
The Dragon Bravo Fire absolutely ravaged parts of the Grand Canyon last year, reaching a size of 145,000 acres and becoming the largest-ever wildfire in the park. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge burned down, and it’s expected that much of the North Rim, including the Rim to Rim trail, the iconic 24-mile hike that traverses the canyon, will remain closed to visitors.
Where to go instead: About 3 hours away from the park is the Havasupai Tribe Reservation. This Native American-managed area has a set of stunning waterfalls, pools, and lakes. Visitors hike 8 miles in, and then stay at campgrounds or a lodge as a base for exploring the rest of the area. Your reservation guarantees you 3 nights in the area, allowing ample time to enjoy your backcountry escape.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Unfortunately, this Colorado park also suffered serious wildfire damage in 2025; a 1,500-acre fire took weeks to contain. The NPS says that much of the park — including the South Rim, Rim Rock Trail, and two campgrounds — is closed until further notice.
Where to go instead: The Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains should be on your travel list, and luckily, you can still explore it at the next-door Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests. Popular trails in this area include the Crag Crest National Recreation Trail (10.5 miles), Lake of the Woods Trail (9.1 miles), and the Ward Lake Trail (1.8 miles). With six 14ers and 56 13ers, this area also has ample climbing and mountaineering opportunities.
Big Bend National Park
Chisos Basin is a major camping and recreation area at this Texas park, and, starting in May, it’s going to be closed due to construction for at least 2 years. Some of the park’s most popular viewpoints, including “The Window,” will be closed to visitors.
Where to go instead: Just down the road happens to be Big Bend Ranch State Park, an area with a similar mountainous landscape as its national park equivalent. It’s a great place for hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, and horseback riding. With ample access to the Rio Grande, it’s easy to spend a day rafting or fishing. There are multiple primitive campsites you can reserve, as well as a lodge with bunk beds.
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake had a banner year in 2025, with 632,000 visitors, the highest number since 2021. Unfortunately, that era for the park will soon be over. From 2026 to 2029, the Cleetwood Cove Trail, the primary trail that accesses the lake, will be closed for construction. There will be no boating or swimming at the lake during this time.
Where to go instead: To get your fill of hiking along the water in southern Oregon, head to the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest. This 1.8-million–acre area is home to a whole host of recreation activities, including rafting and kayaking, fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and more. The Rogue River is a mighty waterway with both calm sections for relaxing and wading and class IV rapids for thrill seekers.
North Cascades National Park
The National Park Service (NPS) hasn’t made any big announcements yet, but it’s highly likely that the summer peak season for this park will face major disruptions. In 2025, the Washington park experienced the second-largest flood on record; in the Stehekin Valley, it washed away roads and damaged essential services like wastewater treatment. The NPS is diligently working on repairs, but the heavy damage may take an extended period of time to fully fix.
Where to go instead: While much of this region suffered heavy damage, a nearby state park escaped unscathed. Lake Chelan State Park offers access to a large, fjord-like lake tucked in among the mountains. If you dream of car camping along a lake for a week, this is the spot, with plenty of trailer-friendly campsites available for reservation.
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