Grand Canyon Flash Flood Update

On Saturday, August 29, a devastating flash flood swept through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area of Grand Canyon National Park.

The flooding caused extensive damage throughout the inner canyon, destroying trails, footbridges, utilities, and other infrastructure. Tragically, lives were lost, and search and recovery efforts have continued in the days following the flood.

We are heartbroken for the families and friends of those affected and for everyone who experienced this event firsthand. Grand Canyon is a place that means a great deal to our guides, staff, families, and guests, and it has been difficult to see an area we know and love so deeply affected.

We are also extremely grateful that all members of the Four Season Guides team are safe and accounted for.

What We Know

The National Park Service continues to assess the full extent of the damage. Conditions and closures may change as additional information becomes available.

As of September 1:

• The entire North Kaibab Trail is closed until further notice.
• Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground are closed until further notice.
• Nearly all of the footbridges crossing Bright Angel Creek were destroyed by the flood.
• Trails, utilities, facilities, and other infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon sustained significant damage.
• The Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water to the South Rim, was extensively damaged and is currently not operational.
• The Park Service has implemented significant water restrictions on the South Rim, including a temporary suspension of overnight lodging inside Grand Canyon National Park.
• There is currently no estimated reopening date for the North Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch, or Bright Angel Campground.

The situation remains fluid, and additional assessments will be required before anyone can reliably predict repair or reopening timelines.

Is Grand Canyon Closed?

No.

The flooding has severely affected Bright Angel Canyon, Phantom Ranch, the North Kaibab Trail, and associated infrastructure, but Grand Canyon National Park as a whole is not closed.

Numerous South Rim areas remain open, including portions of the Bright Angel, South Kaibab, Tonto, and other trails. The South Rim also remains open for day-use visitation, although water restrictions and temporary changes to visitor services are currently in effect.

This distinction is important. While some of Grand Canyon's best-known inner-canyon destinations have been significantly affected, there are thousands of square miles of Grand Canyon backcountry and many outstanding hiking opportunities that remain accessible.

What This Means for Four Season Guides Trips

Four Season Guides has numerous Grand Canyon trips scheduled throughout the remainder of 2026, and the effects will vary considerably depending on the itinerary and departure date.

Our team has been working continuously since the flooding occurred to review permits, secure alternate itineraries, communicate with Grand Canyon personnel, and contact affected guests.

Rim to Rim Trips

Traditional Rim to Rim trips rely on the North Kaibab Trail and are directly affected by the current closure.

Given the extent of the damage and existing trail closures, Four Season Guides does not expect to operate traditional Rim to Rim backpacking trips for the remainder of the 2026 season.

Where possible, we are securing alternate permits and offering affected guests other outstanding Grand Canyon backpacking itineraries. Registered guests are being contacted directly with trip-specific information and options.

Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Loop & Other Corridor Trips

Trips utilizing Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, or other portions of the affected corridor require a more trip-specific assessment.

For departures in the immediate future, we are already contacting guests directly and implementing alternatives where possible.

For trips scheduled later in November and December, it is still too early to know exactly what will be possible. Those departures are far enough into the future that we want to allow the Park Service time to complete additional assessments and begin recovery and repair work before making premature decisions.

Affected guests will hear directly from us as soon as we have enough reliable information to make responsible decisions about their departure.

Other Grand Canyon Trips

Many Grand Canyon hiking and backpacking itineraries do not use the affected portion of Bright Angel Canyon and may continue to operate normally or with relatively minor adjustments.

We will evaluate every departure individually based on trail access, water availability, permits, safety, and Park Service guidance.

For Our Registered Guests

If you currently have a Grand Canyon trip booked with Four Season Guides, please know that we will contact you directly if your trip is affected.

We are working through departures in chronological order, beginning with guests scheduled to travel soonest.

We recognize that many guests have flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel plans associated with their trip, and we understand the uncertainty this situation creates. Our goal is to provide clear information as soon as we have enough facts to make sound decisions—not to speculate about circumstances that may change.

We appreciate your patience while we work through a large number of affected trips and guests.

A Note About Information Online

There is an enormous amount of information, imagery, and speculation circulating online following the flood.

Some of it is accurate. Some is incomplete, outdated, conflicting, or unverified.

Four Season Guides will base trip decisions on official National Park Service information, direct communication with Grand Canyon personnel, and our own decades of experience operating trips throughout the Canyon.

We encourage guests not to draw conclusions about their individual trip based solely on social-media posts or unofficial reports. We will communicate directly with you when we have information relevant to your specific departure.

What Does the Future Hold?

It is simply too early to know the full long-term implications of this event.

Repairing trails, bridges, water infrastructure, campgrounds, and other facilities in the inner Grand Canyon is extraordinarily complicated. Much of this work takes place in remote terrain where materials, equipment, and personnel may need to be transported by helicopter or mule.

We expect recovery to take time.

What we also know is that Grand Canyon is much more than any single trail or itinerary.

Rim to Rim and Phantom Ranch are iconic experiences, but they represent only a small portion of an immense landscape. Some of the finest backpacking and hiking routes in Grand Canyon travel through quieter, more remote areas far removed from the corridor trails.

For guests whose original plans are affected, we will do everything reasonably possible to preserve the heart of the experience you came here for: hiking below the rim, camping in the backcountry, exploring remarkable landscapes, and experiencing Grand Canyon in a meaningful way.

We are incredibly grateful for the many thoughtful emails, calls, and messages we have received from past and current guests checking on our guides and staff. Your concern and support have meant a great deal to our entire team.

We will continue updating this page as meaningful new information becomes available.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and trust.

Four Season Guides