Here’s what you need to know about impact of shutdown on Grand Canyon National Park

PHOENIX – Grand Canyon National Park remains open during the government shutdown, but some services at Arizona’s Natural Wonder aren’t available.

Visitors can still access all roads, lookouts and trails along with certain other amenities, according to the Grand Canyon Conservancy, the park’s philanthropic and collaborative partner.

However, all buildings operated by the National Park Service, including visitor centers, are closed. But with nobody staffing the entrance booths, visitors can access the park without paying the usual fees.

The Grand Canyon Conservancy said all Field Institute and Residency Programs will continue, but some events are being relocated due to visitor center closures. The organization also operates retail stores that are staying open.

Shutdown raises questions about sites across country

With limited information offered on federal government websites, questions were popping up across park service social media sites on Wednesday, the first day of the shutdown.

Nationwide, access varied widely across the more than 400 sites overseen by the National Park Service as the shutdown began, according to on-scene reporting by The Associated Press. Some tourists chafed at closed visitor centers and disrupted trips, while others didn’t notice changes or simply soldiered on by walking into parks with gated roads.

A shutdown contingency plan released by the park service late Tuesday said “park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors.” However, parks without “accessible areas” will be closed, and sites currently open could close if damage is done to park resources or garbage is building up, the plan says.

Grand Canyon is major economic force for Arizona

According to a recent report, Grand Canyon National Park attracted 4.9 million visitors in 2024, helping generate $905 million to the local economy.

Park-area businesses and communities took a financial hit this year after the Dragon Bravo Fire tore through the North Rim in mid-July. The wildfire destroyed over 70 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

The North Rim was fully closed for over two months after the fire, but some areas reopened on Wednesday and will remain accessible through Nov. 30 or until the first major snowfall hits, whichever comes first.

However, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said the state will not be covering costs to maintain national park operations during the shutdown.

“In past shutdowns, we’ve been certain that we’ll get reimbursed, and we just don’t know that that’s the case this time because of all of the chaos that’s coming out of Washington,” she told reporters Wednesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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