Grand Canyon Reopens Key South Rim Trails as Dragon Bravo Fire Eases

Grand Canyon National Park reopened several popular South Rim trails on 20 Aug. after improved air quality allowed authorities to lift restrictions imposed on 13 July because of the Dragon Bravo wildfire. The South Kaibab Trail from the trailhead to Tipoff, the Tonto Trail from Tipoff to Havasupai Gardens and the Bright Angel Trail from the trailhead to Pipe Creek Resthouse are once again accessible to hikers. New air-quality monitors have been installed to give visitors real-time data on smoke conditions. The lightning-sparked Dragon Bravo Fire, which began on 4 July, is 62 percent contained after burning about 145,500 acres across mixed conifer and ponderosa pine forests. Fire crews continue to focus on hotspots along the southeastern perimeter while removing temporary infrastructure in areas where the threat has subsided. Warm, dry weather is expected to persist, with the possibility of dry lightning later in the week. The Kaibab National Forest simultaneously reopened portions of its North Kaibab Ranger District, expanding public access west of Jacob Lake, although State Route 67 and the Grand Canyon’s North Rim remain closed for the 2025 season. Park officials have set 1 Nov. as a tentative date to reopen Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground, contingent on trail repairs and new flood-warning systems. Visitors are advised to check National Park Service and Arizona Department of Transportation updates before traveling.