GRAND CANYON, AZ — Grand Canyon National Park is dealing with major flash-flood damage after a storm hit Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Aug. 29, starting around 2:30 p.m. Park officials said 62 people had been evacuated by the morning of Aug. 30, and more evacuations were scheduled from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch.
Evacuees are being taken to the Maswik Lodge Cafeteria on the South Rim, where the American Red Cross is helping coordinate support. No injuries have been reported so far. The park said the flooding caused serious disruption across the inner canyon, and crews are still working to determine the full extent of the damage.
What is closed right now
Several high-use areas are off-limits until further notice, including Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the trailhead to Phantom Ranch. The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge, both crossings over the Colorado River, are also closed.
Park officials said there is no estimated reopening date for any of the closed areas. They also warned that more inner canyon closures may be needed as conditions are assessed. Visitors are being directed to the park’s Key Hiking Messages webpage for the latest trail and closure updates.
The National Park Service said nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, cutting off normal hiker access across the creek. Staff are checking trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure for additional damage.
River travel and backcountry trips affected
The Colorado River is closed to river traffic until further notice because metal structures and debris entered the river during the flooding. River parties already in the canyon are getting instructions through river operations rangers and the Grand Canyon River Alert system.
Visitors with upcoming river trips have been told to contact their commercial outfitter or NPS River Permits for trip-specific details. The closure affects both private and commercial trips that were planning to move through the area, and officials are adjusting guidance as conditions change in real time.
The flood also raised safety concerns along the lower canyon, where access routes and crossings were damaged or removed. That has made both hiking and river travel more complicated while crews continue assessments.
More storms could worsen the situation
Forecasters and park officials said additional thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible on Aug. 31 and Monday, raising the risk of more flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and sudden changes in trail and river conditions. That means the situation could shift quickly even as cleanup and evacuation work continues.
Park staff are asking visitors to stay alert for updated closures and warning messages before heading into the canyon. Because the damage is still being assessed, officials say the list of affected areas could grow if more rain falls in the coming day or two.
The National Park Service said it will keep monitoring infrastructure, access points and river conditions while emergency and support operations continue in the South Rim area.
When the weather turns dangerous, SVH Snow is watching.
