Grand Canyon National Park open temporarily
State and private donations will keep Grand Canyon open until Friday

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer holds a check for $426,500 presented to her by the town of Tusayan. Left: Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga; right: Mayor Greg Bryan and councilmember Craig Sanderson. Photo/NPS

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer holds a check for $426,500 presented to her by the town of Tusayan. Left: Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga; right: Mayor Greg Bryan and councilmember Craig Sanderson. Photo/NPS

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - The National Park Service (NPS) announced Oct. 11 that it has entered into an agreement with the State of Arizona that will allow Grand Canyon National Park to re-open and temporarily operate during the government shutdown.

Because of the lack of appropriations from Congress, the Department of the Interior had to close all national parks across the country and furlough more than 20,000 National Park Service employees.

Responding to the economic effects that the park closures are having on many communities and local businesses, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced last Thursday that she will consider agreements with governors who indicate an interest and ability to fully fund National Park Service employees to re-open national parks in their states.

"This is a practical and temporary solution that will lessen the pain for some businesses and communities in Arizona during this shutdown," said Jewell. "We want to re-open all of our national parks as quickly possible for everyone to enjoy and call on Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to open the government."

Under the agreement, Arizona will donate money to the Park Service for the sole purpose of enabling National Park Service employees to re-open and manage Grand Canyon National Park.

The agreement funds Grand Canyon for a week, from Oct. 12 through Oct. 18 at the donated amount of $651,000.

Entrances to Grand Canyon are now open. These include the North Rim entrance station, the Desert View entrance station, and the South Rim entrance station. Park officials suggest visitors be aware that during the first 48 hours, many services will be limited.

An Oct. 7 NPS announcement of the River Permits Accommodation Plan said that permittees who had launch dates three days prior to opening and including opening day, may choose to get a refund for permit fees and reschedule. River permit holders with the current launch date will have priority to launch on their scheduled date.

Xanterra South Rim, LLC and Delaware North Companies, Inc. will re-open concession operated services with limited amenities for the first 48 hours. Guests with hotel reservations should contact Xanterra South Rim directly at (928)-638-2631.

The North Rim will re-open for day use with limited visitor services available. The Grand Canyon Lodge operated by Forever Resorts will also re-open with limited guest services; individuals with lodge reservations should contact Forever Resorts at 877-386-4383.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read