The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Friday, June 2 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2023 season. Following a record-setting snow season, this delayed opening is necessary to ensure the safe plowing of State Route 67 and allow staff to reopen visitor facilities on the North Rim. Key changes this 2023 season include: April 12-June 2 Closure of the North Kaibab Trail (Arizona Trail) from Cottonwood Campground to the North Kaibab Trailhead During the winter season, the North Kaibab Trail and North Rim pipeline received significant damage from rockfall and landslides, making many areas unsafe and impassable for inner canyon hikers. In order to safely rebuild and maintain the North Kaibab Trail and repair damaged sections of pipeline, there will be a continuous trail closure in effect from April 12-June 2, 2023 from Cottonwood Campground to the North Kaibab Trailhead. No hikers will be allowed to pass through this area under any circumstances. Please contact the Backcountry Information Center (928-638-7875; grca_bic@nps.gov) for additional information. Road crews will be operating heavy machinery on Highway 67 and backcountry travelers should avoid traveling and/or camping on the road surface.
Read More
Location
- North Kaibab Trailhead to Kaibab National Forest boundary
Length
- 12.0 miles
Southern Trailhead: North Kaibab Trailhead
- GPS Coordinates: 36.21722° N, 112.05686° W
Access
The parking area is on the east side of AZ 67, 41 miles south of Jacob Lake and 2.3 miles north of Grand Canyon Lodge. The trailhead is at the south end of the parking lot.
Northern Access Point: Kaibab National Forest boundary
- GPS Coordinates: 36.33775° N, 112.10248° W
Access
From Jacob Lake, drive south on AZ 67 for 26 miles and turn left (east) onto FR 611 (4.5 miles north of the Grand Canyon National Park entrance station and 1 mile south of Kaibab Lodge). Drive 1.1 miles and turn right (east) onto FR 610. Wind south and then east 5.1 miles to a pullout on the north side of the road, near a brown AZT post.
Trail Route Description
Passage 39 begins at the North Kaibab Trailhead and traverses the seldom-used north side of Grand Canyon National Park. The North Rim attracts only 10% of the Grand Canyon’s annual visitors, resulting in a serene and solitary environment. Before heading north on this section, take a short walk to the rim and catch one more glimpse, through pine trees and fir, into the vast red limestone of Roaring Springs Canyon.
The trail follows a mix of dirt roads and singletrack across a gentle terrain, with some short, steep sections through rolling, forested hills and lush meadows. This mixed conifer forest is home to aspen, spruce, fir and pines.
This passage meanders above 8,000 feet of elevation, which causes cooler temperatures and the possibility for snow through the spring season and sometimes into early summer.
Difficulty
- Easy to Moderate
Season(s)
- Spring, Summer and Fall
- Current weather forecast
Water
Water sources are scarce and unreliable on the Kaibab Plateau. Check the online Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.
Notes/Warnings
- All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
- The Arizona Trail is marked with brown fiberglass posts with a Kaibab Plateau Trail decal near the top.
- North Rim facilities are closed from mid-October to mid-May.
Resources
- Map of Passage 39
- USGS Topographic Maps: Bright Angel Point and Little Park Lake.
- Kaibab National Forest map.
- Grand Canyon National Park map.
- BLM Information Center maps.
For more information
- The Passage Steward
- Grand Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 (928) 638-7888.
- Kaibab National Forest, North Kaibab Ranger District, P.O. Box 248, Fredonia, AZ 86022 (928) 643-7298.
- Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center, Jacob Lake, AZ (928) 643-7298.
- BLM Information Center (602) 417-9300.
Current Passage Info
Coconino & Kaibab National Forests Lift Fire Restrictions
June 28, 2022
Due to significant precipitation received across the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests of northern Arizona, fire restrictions and certain area closures will be lifted starting at noon on Tuesday, June 28. Fire-related area closures will remain in effect around the perimeters of the Pipeline and Haywire fires but have been reduced in size. The decision to lift fire restrictions was made based on the amount of precipitation both received and forecasted across both forests. While a ban on campfires and smoking has been lifted, visitors are reminded that fireworks are never allowed on National Forest land at any time. Please check National Forest websites before traveling and recreating to learn more about area closures and restrictions, which can change rapidly.
Read More
