The Colorado River as seen from Plateau Point
NPS/file photo
Grand Canyon National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote public safety. As of, March 24, 2020, Grand Canyon river rafting trips including administrative, research, private and commercial trips, are suspended until May 21, 2020. Resumption of river trips will be evaluated in mid-April pending current CDC guidance and options to reschedule trips will be provided at a future date.
This change is consistent with other river operation suspensions regionwide, within National Park Service units located within Department of Interior Regions 6, 7, and 8, including Big Bend National Park & Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River (TX), Canyonlands National Park (UT), Dinosaur National Monument (CO), Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ/UT), and Grand Canyon National Park (AZ).
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Grand Canyon National Park is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.
The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.
For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations. Updates to Grand Canyon National Park's operations will be posted on https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-national-park-public-health-update.htm.
