As you have likely heard, a wildfire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge (among many other structures) in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 12. The “Dragon Bravo” fire, as it is being called, continues to burn aggressively through the forests of the Kaibab Plateau.
We are heartbroken by this news.
The North Rim and its beloved lodge have long been a treasured destination for Four Season Guides, our families, and our guests. It was one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Arizona – a place we loved sharing with others. This is a tragic loss both for the
Grand Canyon National Park, and for all who were fortunate enough to experience its magic.
We are deeply grateful that no lives have been lost and that all staff and visitors were safely evacuated. Our sincere thanks go out to the brave firefighters and emergency personnel who continue to battle these fires under incredibly difficult conditions.
Four Season Guides has many scheduled trips in the coming months that will be affected by this situation. With the fire still burning, it is still too early to fully understand the extent of the impacts but we have already taken siginificant steps towards reserving the integrity of as many trips as possible.
What we know (as of August 21, 2025):
- The fire remains active in a few areas but is largefly under control at this stage. Over 145,000 acres of forest have burned and containment sits at about 65%. You can visit inciweb.wildfire.gov for the latest details.
- Smoke impacts on the South Rim and below the rim are extremely minimal and not negatively iompacting visitors.
- The National Park Service has announced that the North Rim will be closed for the remainder of the 2025 season.
- Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch will remain closed through October 31 and are tentatively scheduled to reopen on November 1.
- As of August 20, the Bright Angel Trail has reopened all the way tothe Colorado River at Pipe Creek Beach and the South Kaibab Trail is open down to The Tipoff. Addiotnally, the Tonto Trail section between The Tipoff and Havasupai Gardens has reopened.
- You can check official Grand Canyon alerts & conditions
here.
For our registered guests:
- All scheduled
Rim to Rim backpacking trips are being addressed and alternate itineraries implemented. All registered guests can expect to be contacted in the coming 7 to 10 days and alerted to the itinerary changes or alternative options. Be assured that we are working overtime to ensure your Grand Canyon experience will be outstanding. We appreciate your patience and understanding!
- All lodge-based and basecamp trips that include time at the North Rim have rerouted successfully and all guests contacted.
What Does the Future Hold?
As for what the longer-term future holds as it relates to the North Rim and Rim to Rim hikes, we still don't have a clear understanding. Reopening Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch is an extremely high priority for Park management and they want to be sure that is will be as safe as possible for visitors. The North Kaibab Trail has sustained some structural damage and additonal impacts due to runoff are expected. That being said, we are anticipating long-term impacts to the viability of Rim to Rim hikes in 2026 and possibly beyond.
If you have been dreaming of a visit to Grand Canyon, there are still a multitude of great opportunities. For those who have had a Rim to Rim hike in mind, now is the perfect time to consider the many outstanding alternative adventures that easily rival Rim to Rim in scenic beauty, physical challenge, and sense of reward.
Rim to Rim Alternatives
1.
Hermit Loop Backpacking – an outstanding 4-day/3-night that just happens to be our Guide’s Choice backpacking trip in Grand Canyon. If you asked any of them, they would tell you this trip is superior to Rim to Rim in all respects. Check out
this blog article we recently wrote about it.
2.
Grandview Loop – For strong hikers, the Grandview Loop will deliver an adventure well off the beaten path and into Grand Canyon’s wilder side.
North Rim Alternatives
1.
Bryce & Escalante Basecamp - Explore the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, an epic wilderness of slickrock, canyons, and mesas. Less developed, and far less-visited than the well-known parks of southern Utah, this hikers paradise is home to a lifetime’s worth of backcountry exploration. Throw in a day exploring Bryce Canyon and you’ve got yourself an epic week of hiking and camping!
2.
Marble Canyon & Vermilion Cliffs – This is the land where Grand Canyon is born. Wander through serpentine canyon labyrinths, climb to epic vistas, and escape the tourist path. Discover what secrets exist around the next corner on a series of hand-picked hikes on this one-of-a-kind itinerary.
3.
Grand Canyon & Sedona - Discover Northern Arizona’s most fantastic landscapes on foot, hiking spectacular trails leading to incredible views. Immerse yourself in a land of towering cliffs, majestic canyons, and red rock formations.
We truly appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Please know that we are committed to keeping you informed and we’ll share additional information as soon as we receive it.
With gratitude,
Dave Logan
Owner, Four Season Guides
