Intense summer monsoon storms have been drenching Arizona over the past week. Autumn is shaping up to be a spectacular season for thru-hiking and biking the Arizona National Scenic Trail! However, recent flash floods inside Grand Canyon National Park have resulted in at least two deaths, 14 missing hikers, and over 60 people rescued from the inner canyon. The flood has severely impacted foot bridges, trails, the trans-canyon waterline, and critical infrastructure near Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch. This update is intended as a planning guide for anyone considering a southbound thru-hike or ride on the AZT this autumn season.

As of August 31, 15 miles of the AZT within Grand Canyon are closed due to flooding. Rerouting around the canyon is nearly impossible, so for the third consecutive season, there is no connected route from Mexico to Utah. This is tough news for all of us at the ATA who work hard year-round to ensure there’s a continuous path.

The only way around the closed area is to take a shuttle from the North Rim to the South Kaibab Trailhead. TransCanyon Shuttle is looking forward to serving AZT thru-hikers and bikers. Reserve your seat a few days in advance once you know when you’ll need a ride.

Passage 38 (Grand Canyon Inner Gorge) is CLOSED from the Black Bridge over the Colorado River to the North Kaibab Trailhead. Both the Silver and Black Bridges are closed, as well as Bright Angel Campground and Phantom Ranch. Water is being rationed on the South Rim, and all lodging reservations within the Park have been canceled. Plan accordingly, as normal water sources within the Park are likely to be off.

Click here for more information on Grand Canyon National Park Closures.

So what’s a thru to do? 
Consider starting at the northern terminus and hiking or riding south for 80 miles to the North Kaibab Trailhead. Then, catch a ride from there all the way around the canyon to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Once you arrive, consider hiking 7 miles down into one of the seven natural wonders of the world, but count your steps carefully as you will need to reverse your route and hike back out in the same day (no overnight camping allowed off the South Kaibab Trail). It’s 14 miles roundtrip from the trailhead to the Colorado River and back up, however most people turn around at Cedar Ridge (3.2 miles roundtrip), Skeleton Point (5.6 miles r/t), or The Tipoff (9.2 miles r/t).

If you want to avoid the need for a shuttle around the canyon, consider starting at the South Kaibab Trailhead instead, hike into the canyon and back out, and then continue southbound. You will miss the northernmost 80 miles (Passages 40-43), but maybe save that for a time when Grand Canyon trails are open again.

Back at the South Kaibab Trailhead, head south for 700 miles toward the Arizona/Mexico border. You’ll be able to enjoy all but the final mile of the AZT, as that is currently closed due to border wall construction. We recommend hiking up the Coronado Peak Trail (at FarOut mile 1.7), just south of Montezuma Pass to enjoy the views of the San Rafael Valley and mountains of Sonora, Mexico from this iconic destination. You can hike an out-and-back the additional 0.7-mile to the junction of Joe’s Canyon Trail – but the final mile down to the international border is closed.

Mountain bikers who don’t mind highway miles and dirt tracks on the Navajo Nation should consider researching Segment 7 of the Western Wildlands Route developed by our friends at Bikepacking Roots. This eliminates the need for a shuttle, but will require some yo-yo (southbound and then northbound) miles on the Kaibab Plateau.

Every day that goes by that the AZT is not a continuous path, we’re not fulfilling our vision. We appreciate your patience and support as we work through these challenges. All of us are working hard to reopen the AZT and/or identify reroutes with your safety as our top priority. Please avoid closed areas, understand the hazards of traveling through burned forests that have reopened, and enjoy every mile you’re able to hike or ride this year. We are working with Park and Forest staff to reopen the trail as soon as possible.

We post all closures, restrictions and reroutes here, as well as on our social media channels. The Arizona Trail Class of 2026 Facebook group is a great resource, too.

Remember, every dollar you donate supports rehabilitation of the AZT, construction of new trail around severely damaged areas, improvement of water sources, and so much more. Please consider donating today.