Date: September 12, 2013
Contact: Robin Tellis, 928-638-7739
Contact: Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, AZ – The staff on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin to shut down most visitor services and facilities on Tuesday, October 15; the North Rim will remain open to visitors through December 1 unless snow closes Highway 67 leading into the park prior to December 1.

Reservations for the Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, operated by Forever Resorts, will be accepted through the night of October 15. All other concessioner-related visitor services, with the exception of the gift shop and gas station, will close at the end of the day on October 15. The last meal served at Grand Canyon Lodge will be breakfast, which ends at 10 a.m. on October 16. The final day for mule rides on the North Rim will be October 15. Self-service gas and diesel fuel will continue to be available in the park through December 1 or unless Highway 67 closes.

Between October 16 and October 31, a limited number of campsites will be offered for an $18 fee on a first –come, first-served basis. The Visitor Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week, and the Backcountry Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Regularly scheduled ranger-led programs will be offered through October 15. Visitor entrance and campground fees will be collected through October 31.

Starting November 1 through December 1, the park will remain open for day use. Self-service gas will be available and visitors will have access to Point Imperial and Bright Angel Point, as well as the North Kaibab Trailhead. A limited number of campsites will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the North Rim Campground and Yurt, these sites will be accessible only to foot traffic. No overnight parking or car camping will be allowed. A backcountry permit is required for camping and will be available through the South Rim Backcountry Information Center and the Visitor Center at Pipe Springs National Monument in Fredonia, AZ. The South Rim Backcountry Information Center is open year-round and can be reached by calling (928) 638-7875.

Unless Highway 67 closes for snow, the North Rim will close for the season at 8 a.m. on Monday, December 2. Hikers and cross country skiers will still be able to enter the North Rim of the park through the winter months, providing backcountry permits have been obtained.

Cape Royal Road is closed for the remainder of the season from the Y to the terminus at Cape Royal. All other roads including Point Imperial Road remain open until December 1 unless Highway 67 closes.

The Kaibab Lodge located four miles north of the park boundary, will have full service through October 24 and will close on October 25. The North Rim Country Store, also located outside the park boundary across from the Kaibab Lodge will remain open until November 2, weather permitting.

Jacob Lake Inn, restaurant and gas station, located 45 miles from the North Rim developed area, remains open year-round. The Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center at Jacob Lake will have reduced hours starting mid-October call (928) 643-7298 for more information.

Arizona Department of Transportation officials will try to keep Highway 67 open through December 1, but a major storm with heavy snowfall could close the road earlier. After October 15, visitors should be prepared for winter driving and travel conditions and are encouraged to call Arizona Highway information at (888) 411-7623 in advance of their trip to check on the status of Highway 67. Visitors to the area are reminded that Highway 89A remains open year-round.

The South Rim and Inner Canyon facilities also remain open year-round.

For additional trip planning information, visit the park's website at http://www.nps.gov/grca or call the park's main information line at (928) 638-7888