5 Things to Know About Grand Canyon Travel Amid COVID-19
This article originally appeared on My Grand Canyon
While the national parks reopening have made us cautiously optimistic about summer travel, we've identified 5 essential factors you should consider before you hit the road. And one last thing. Throw your propensity to assume out the window. As we've seen during the past two years, there are no guarantees that businesses will stay open, virus cases will go down or stay-at-home orders will be a thing of the past.
1. Every state has its own rules that vary dramatically.
Each state has different quarantine orders that vary dramatically from state to state. Within states, orders can even vary from county to county or town to town. For instance, if you pass through the Navajo Nation, you must wear a face mask.
2. Not everything in the park will be open.
Just because a national park reopens does not mean everything within the park is open. Staffing challenges may mean that there are limited services available. Be sure to check each park website to ensure that the services you need are available. Lastly, avoiding crowds and practicing Leave No Trace principles in the park are more essential now than ever with reduced park staff. We've teamed up with organizations and brands across the outdoor industry to help you make smart decisions on recreating to keep yourself and others healthy and to keep access to our beloved public places open. You can read more about how to #RecreateResponsibly.
3. Every town and local business is operating differently in this new normal.
Do advance research on what hotels and restaurants are open and what they are doing to keep customers and employees safe. Some restaurants may only offer take out. Others might have a long waiting list because they have fewer tables because of staffing shortages. If you have a choice between local businesses and a national chain, consider supporting the local business.
4. Be mindful that you're a visitor in someone's hometown.
While you may feel footloose and fancy free after being cooped up for two years, don't throw caution to the wind. People live in the towns you're traveling through and they want to feel safe as they open up their economies. Many have tiny medical centers and are miles from the nearest full-service hospital. If a store posts a sign asking all customers to wear face masks, put on your face mask. Be the traveler you'd want to see visiting your town.
5. If you're sick, stay home.
No one wants to get sick, so if you're not feeling well or have signs of COVID-19, stay at home or if you're on the road, head home immediately. Travel when you're healthy.
Grand Canyon National Park
As of July 12, 2022, Grand Canyon National Park is requiring face masks to be worn by all individuals over the age of two in park buildings and on public transportation, regardless of vaccination.
South Rim Roads, Entrance Fees and Closures:
Entrances fees should be paid at automated fee machines at the entrance stations, or by purchasing a pass in advance from nearby third-party vendors, or online, through Recreation.gov.
State Route 64, (Desert View Drive), is open a distance of 22 miles, from Grand Canyon Village to Navajo Point. There is a turnaround at Navajo Point.
The East Entrance to the park at Desert View, the Desert View Watchtower area and campground are CLOSED. You must use the South Entrance near the town of Tusayan to enter and exit the park.
Hermit Road is closed to cars. The 7.5 mile scenic road is accessed by foot, bicycle or the Hermit Road (Red Route) shuttle bus only. The shuttle runs from 5 am until 1 hour after sunset.
As a reminder, visitors driving on U.S. Route 89 between Flagstaff or northern Arizona and Cameron will be traveling through the Navajo Nation, which requires face masks to be worn at public facilities and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Also, the neighboring Havasupai reservation remains closed for tourism, and details for operational updates can be found on their website at www.theofficialhavasupaitribe.com.
To follow additional closures or changes with the status of the park, visit the Grand Canyon news site at www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/
For camping reservations, alerts and closures at Mather Campground or the North Rim Campground, visit Recreation.gov here: www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/2733
Follow the park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GrandCanyonNationalPark/
Grand Canyon West
Grand Canyon West is open and is a non-national park site on the west side of the Grand Canyon, is closed. Owned and run by the Hualapai tribe, it's known for its Skywalk.
To get up-to-date news on Grand Canyon West, go to grandcanyonwest.com/covid-19/.
Follow Grand Canyon West on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grandcanyonwest
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is open.
Resorts: Fuel and Amenities
Gas available; store, lodging, and food options available.
Gas available; store and campground open.
Gas available; store, campground, and lodging open. Restaurant open with limited hours and outdoor seating.
Visitors can continue to enjoy Death Valley National Park online through videos, including the series "Death Valley Explorer." These can be found at the park website at www.nps.gov/deva/learn/photosmultimedia/.
Get Death Valley's most up-to-date alerts at www.nps.gov/deva/learn/news/.
Follow the park on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/DeathValleyNPS
Only Furnace Creek Campground takes advanced campground reservations. Find out updates at www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232496.
Other National Park Sites
The National Park Service has been updating its COVID-19 page daily with information about individual parks. You can visit it here: www.nps.gov/aboutus/news/public-health-update.htm
Updates about nationwide NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
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