Grand Canyon North Rim Wildfire Update: Closures, Conditions, and What Comes Next

As you have likely heard, a wildfire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge (among many other structures) in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 12. The “Dragon Bravo” fire, as it is being called, continues to burn aggressively through the forests of the Kaibab Plateau.

We are heartbroken by this news. 

The North Rim and its beloved lodge have long been a treasured destination for Four Season Guides, our families, and our guests. It was one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Arizona – a place we loved sharing with others. This is a tragic loss both for the Grand Canyon National Park, and for all who were fortunate enough to experience its magic.

We are deeply grateful that no lives have been lost and that all staff and visitors were safely evacuated. Our sincere thanks go out to the brave firefighters and emergency personnel who continue to battle these fires under incredibly difficult conditions.

Four Season Guides has many scheduled trips in the coming months that will be affected by this situation. With the fire still burning, it is still too early to fully understand the extent of the impacts but we have already taken siginificant steps towards reserving the integrity of as many trips as possible.

What we know (as of August 11, 2025):

• The fire remains active, and conditions are evolving daily. Over 140,000 acres of forest have burned so far and containment sits at about 50%. You can visit inciweb.wildfire.gov for the latest details.
• The National Park Service has announced that the North Rim will be closed for the remainder of the 2025 season. 
• Due to smoke impacts and the resulting impaired emergency response access, the Corridor Trails (North Kaibab, South Kaibab, and Bright Angel below Havasupai Gardens) are currently closed, as is Phantom Ranch.
• We are grateful that operations at the South Rim have not been affected (you can check official Grand Canyon alerts & conditions here.)

For our registered guests:

• All scheduled Rim to Rim backpacking trips for the remainder of 2025 have been addressed and alternate itineraries have been implemented. All registered guests have been contacted and alerted to the itinerary changes.
• All lodge-based and basecamp trips that include time at the North Rim have rerouted successfully and all guests contacted.

What Does the Future Hold?

As for what the longer-term future holds as it relates to the North Rim and Rim to Rim hikes, we still don't have a clear understanding. Since the fire is still burning, the park's primary objective is to establish containment and protect lives and structures. Everything else is secondary. That being said, we are anticipating long-term impacts to the viability of Rim to Rim hikes, possibly into 2026.

If you have been dreaming of a visit to Grand Canyon, there are still a multitude of great opportunities. For those who have had a Rim to Rim hike in mind, now is the perfect time to consider the many outstanding alternative adventures that easily rival Rim to Rim in scenic beauty, physical challenge, and sense of reward.

Rim to Rim Alternatives

1. Hermit Loop Backpacking – an outstanding 4-day/3-night that just happens to be our Guide’s Choice backpacking trip in Grand Canyon. If you asked any of them, they would tell you this trip is superior to Rim to Rim in all respects. Check out this blog article we recently wrote about it.

2. Canyon Classic – This trip is the most similar experience to a Rim to Rim and covers much of the same territory. With a layover on Day 2, we have the opportunity to hike up to Ribbon Falls, an incredible waterfall tucked below the North Rim.

3. Grandview Loop – For strong hikers, the Grandview Loop will deliver an adventure well off the beaten path and into Grand Canyon’s wilder side.

North Rim Alternatives

1. Bryce & Escalante Basecamp - Explore the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, an epic wilderness of slickrock, canyons, and mesas. Less developed, and far less-visited than the well-known parks of southern Utah, this hikers paradise is home to a lifetime’s worth of backcountry exploration. Throw in a day exploring Bryce Canyon and you’ve got yourself an epic week of hiking and camping!

2. Marble Canyon & Vermilion Cliffs – This is the land where Grand Canyon is born. Wander through serpentine canyon labyrinths, climb to epic vistas, and escape the tourist path. Discover what secrets exist around the next corner on a series of hand-picked hikes on this one-of-a-kind itinerary.

3. Grand Canyon & Sedona - Discover Northern Arizona’s most fantastic landscapes on foot, hiking spectacular trails leading to incredible views. Immerse yourself in a land of towering cliffs, majestic canyons, and red rock formations.

We truly appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Please know that we are committed to keeping you informed and we’ll share additional information as soon as we receive it.

With gratitude,

Dave Logan

Owner, Four Season Guides