Grand Canyon partially reopens to the public daily starting May 29

PHOENIX - As Arizona's stay-at-home order came to an end, the Grand Canyon has continued to expand recreational access to some parts of the South Rim.

The South Rim's south entrance will open daily from 4 A.M. to 2 P.M. starting May 29. Visitors inside the park by 2 P.M. can stay until sunset.

Tourists can access Tuweep and will be able to go day hiking on inner canyon trails.

Beginning June 5, however, the south entrance will be open 24/7.

The North Rim will also be available for day use, although the campground in the area will be closed for construction until July 1.

The Colorado River is set to start reopening for commercial, non-commercial and administrative trips on June 14.

Officials say lodging in the area will begin a phased reopening in June.

The following will remain closed:

• Residential areas
• East entrance on the South Rim
• Desert View Watchtower and campground

Find the full list of Grand Canyon openings and restrictions here.

Memorial Day reopening

The South Rim reopened May 22-25  for visitors to enter the park. 

The public had access to:

• Day hiking on inner canyon trails
• Limited food and drink services at Market Plaza, Bright Angel Bicycles, El Tovar patio and nearby hotels
• Bike and wheelchair rentals at Bright Angel Bicycles
• The Rim Trail and Greenway Trail system outside of the residential area
• East Desert View Drive - open until Navajo Point, where vehicles will then be asked to turn around

However, the following remained closed:

• The East entrance of the South Rim and the Desert View Watchtower area
• Visitor centers, museums and shuttle buses
• Lodging, restaurants, campgrounds on the rim, camper services and trailer village
• Center Road and access through the South Rim residential area
• The Colorado River, North Rim and Tuweep area

Initial reopening

The park had partially reopened their South Rim South Entrance May 15-18 from 6 A.M.-10 A.M., with limited access to:

• Viewpoints at Pipe Creek Vista, Shoshone Point, Twin Overlooks, Duck on a Rock, Thor's Hammer, No Name Point and Navajo Point - vehicles will be asked to turn around at Navajo Point.
• Picnic areas near Shoshone Point Pavilion, east of Yaki Road, Thor's Hammer and Buggeln Picnic Area
• Restrooms by the Grand Canyon National Park sign on the South Entrance, the picnic area east of Yaki Road, Shoshone Point and Buggeln Picnic Area

However, other locations like the Grand Canyon Village and the Rim Trail remained closed to visitors.

"This initial reopening phase will increase access to our public lands in a responsible way by offering the main feature of the park for the public, the view of the canyon, while reducing the potential exposure of COVID-19 to our nearly 2,500 residents," said Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable. 

Visitors can stay at the park throughout the day once they enter, but overnight accomodations will not be available.

The park closed on April 1 after Coconino County Officials recommended that the park close to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

This move comes as the state's stay-at-home order expires on May 15.

MORE: Arizona Gov. Ducey: Gyms, pools can reopen on May 13, stay-at-home order to expire May 15

Pools and gyms are able to open starting May 13, with restaurants being able to open on May 11.

Other recreational areas like casinos are taking steps to reopen, while Salt River Tubing has announced that they are set to reopen on May 16.

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