Massive wildfires have become tragically common in the United States. But for national park lovers, the Dragon Bravo fire hurt more than most.
The blaze that erupted on Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim last summer devastated the park, burning nearly 150,000 acres and destroying over a dozen buildings, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. After a prolonged closure, the North Rim reopened to visitors last week. That’s good news for those planning to visit the park during summer vacation — especially hikers.
The North Kaibab Trail has reopened, allowing hikers to reach the canyon’s bottom by starting from the North Rim. It also means that rim-to-rim hikes are once again possible after nearly a year-long closure. Both GearJunkie’s founder, Stephen Regenold, and Editorial Director Sean McCoy have written personal essays about their experiences on this bucket-list hike, one during winter and another during more seasonal temperatures.
It’s thanks to the efforts of park workers that the trails are already open again after such vast destruction, said Robert Stieve, editor-in-chief of Arizona Highways Magazine.
“It’s a miracle,” Stieve told 12 News AZ. “All those men and women and women who worked tirelessly to get that trail opened up again — because that’s such a box that people like to check.”
Park Officials: Come Prepared
While the North Rim trails reopened on May 15, that doesn’t mean everything is still the same after the Dragon Bravo fire blazed through the park last year.
In an announcement of the trails’ reopening, Grand Canyon park officials asked hikers to use “increased caution while traveling through areas affected by the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire burn scar.”
That’s especially true of those traveling through the upper North Kaibab Trail between Supai Tunnel and the North Kaibab Trailhead.
“Burned landscapes can increase the risk of flash flooding, debris flows, rock falls, erosion, and falling trees, particularly during monsoon storms or periods of heavy rain,” park officials said in a news release.
To compensate for these changes, canyon officials have expanded flash flood monitoring and emergency preparedness efforts. That includes installing new stream and precipitation gauges and enhancing visitor notification systems.
But there are other changes as well. Although primitive camping is allowed on the North Rim, the historic lodge and other buildings are now gone. That means it’s even more difficult to get water upon reaching the North Rim from the other side.
“Hikers are encouraged to monitor weather conditions closely and heed all posted warnings,” park officials said.
Moreover, trail maintenance and rehabilitation work will continue along the North Kaibab Trail throughout the 2026 season. Hikers should anticipate temporary trail closures or delays while crews continue to repair the trail. Also, the trail is still closed to pack animals, so don’t expect larger expeditions to be leaving from the North Rim anytime soon.
Details for Drivers
All paved roadways at the North Rim are once again open to visitors. That includes Highway 67, Cape Royal, and Point Imperial Roads. So, summer visitors just hoping for a quick day trip to see views from the canyon’s higher elevation should be able to drive in and back out without a problem.
Those hoping for an overnight stay in a lodge, however, will have fewer options. The Grand Canyon Lodge was such an attractive destination because it was right on the edge of the North Rim, offering incredible views right outside the window. Arizona politicians introduced a bill to speed up the rebuilding of the lodge, but it has stalled in Congress.
However, visitors can still stay overnight at the Kaibab Lodge, located a half-hour drive north of the rim. In a statement, Superintendent Ed Keable urged all park visitors to come to the park informed and prepared.
“The North Rim remains one of the most extraordinary places in the National Park System, and we are pleased to welcome visitors back for the 2026 summer season,” Keable said. “As recovery work continues following the Dragon Bravo Fire, we encourage visitors to plan ahead, travel safely, and experience this remarkable place responsibly.”
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