Bright Angel Bikepacking
Bright Angel Bikepacking features cycling routes and rides on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park.
These bicycle routes explore the Grand Rimlands region via day rides, overnighters, and extended backcountry trips. The Grand Rimlands are the belts of land surrounding the Grand Canyon. The rim terrain varies from lowland sagebrush desert plains to high country subalpine meadows and forests. The Grand Rimlands make up the Grand Canyon’s vital immediate watershed zone and are ecologically connected with the Canyon. Bicycling is the best way to experience this vast, geologically complex, biodiverse, and culturally rich area.
Bright Angel Bikepacking routes traverse classic Colorado Plateau geography. They take riders through vast forests of pinyon, juniper, ponderosa, aspen, and spruce. They roll across open subalpine meadows and arid savannahs. They cross exposed plains of sand, sage, stone, and prickly pear. They traverse across benchlands and canyonlands topography. They peer down at the waters of the Colorado River. And most strikingly, these routes often take cyclists to capes of land jutting out into geological space, providing riders iconically recognizable and rarely regarded views of the Grand Canyon.
Visit the Ride with GPS page for all routes, collections, and GPX.
Alerts and Closures
-
Last Update: September 4, 2026
———————————————————
Grand Canyon National Park North Rim Status page for the Dragon Bravo Fire: North Rim Status
Due to the Dragon Bravo Fire, bikepackers need to be prepared to be flexible and adaptable with their plans on the North Rim.
There is NO WATER available at the top of the North Kaibab Trail nor any at the North Rim Campground. Every bikepacker must arrive self-contained for water in the North Rim Village.
The North Rim General Store in GRCA North Rim Campground is selling water (plastic commercial bottles) and food. I talked to the manager and he said that they are selling water in the store with hopes to fill entire shelves with it in the future. Bikepackers can buy water, but they shouldn't 100% rely on getting any in case of shipping issues for the store. The General Store is open open daily May 15 – Sept. 7, 2026 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. so if you arrive before/after closing, you won't be able to get water. There are portable toilets located on-site too.
The North Rim Campground is open starting June 1, 2026. For walk-ups, check-in and payment are available at the adjacent Aramark General Store from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; online advanced reservations are also available on Recreation.gov.
If bikepackers are unable to secure a site at the North Rim Campground, they should plan on biking out to the AZT Kaibab Plateau Trailhead past GRCA boundaries or farther north to legally dispersed camp in the National Forest.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect throughout the North Rim, including the campground, due to limited water availability for fire suppression and public safety concerns. Campfires, charcoal fires, and all other open flames are prohibited. Outdoor smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle.
Campground showers and laundry facilities remain closed for the 2026 season.
There has traditionally been a blue jug with water available to bikepackers found at the ranger residence near the North Rim Entrance Station. This was done as a courtesy by the ranger living there. The fire forced evacuation of the unit, and no one will be living there in the immediate future. The blue water jug will not be available as a water source.
There are some sections of the route near Widforss TH and Point Sublime Road that are pretty washed out with ash and sediment from utilities; signs will say no entry but that's for cars - foot and bike traffic are allowed.
There will be no in-Park postal service with General Delivery on the North Rim for mailing resupplies.
——————————————————
Hazardous Conditions Due to the Dragon Bravo Fire
Water sources may be impacted or absent. The burn impacted the watershed so water sources listed along the route could be dry, filled with ash/debris from runoff, or could be typical. Pack extra water just in case.
Food resupplies may be limited. The small businesses along the route were impacted by the fire closures. Call ahead to confirm hours and stock.
Watch for falling trees. Even if the tree looks robust, it might be at risk of falling because of damaged root systems and fire-loosened soils. Watch for falling branches. Look up often and be aware of fire-weakened trees, snags, and overhead dangling branches. Do not sit down and take a break under a fire-weakened or dead tree.
Windy days are especially dangerous. Don’t go out in a burn area if it’s forecast to be windy. Leave the area immediately if the wind picks up and there are hazards around you. Don’t make camp below burned trees.
Rainy weather can be very dangerous. Rain increases the likelihood of landslides and flash floods. Water runs more quickly off the burned soil and drainages can become clogged with trees, rocks, and debris. Debris can act like a dam, releasing a huge flash flood of water, mud, and debris that will destroy everything downstream.
Travel through burn areas quickly. Minimize the risk you face by not lingering in dangerous places.
Be extra cautious when choosing a campsite. Don’t camp in a risky area. Look for dead trees that might fall toward your tent and steep slopes that could send rocks or landslides down on you. Don’t camp in natural drainages because of the possibility of debris flows.
Landslides and rock fall danger means you should be careful on hillsides. Stripped of its understory vegetation, burned soil is loose, so boulders, logs, and the soil can move. On hillsides, if you encounter a downed log or pile of fallen rocks, go one person at a time in case the material shifts.
The road/trail tread might be unstable, and it may collapse. Debris fallen from uphill can take out the road/trail tread. Road/trail retaining walls might be damaged and ready to fall down the mountain.
Watch for burned-out holes in the ground. When stumps, root structures and duff burns, deep hollow cavities can be left below the road/trail surface. They may be invisible until your foot or tire breaks through. These holes can keep burning for months after the rest of the fire is out. Notice white ash as it may be retaining extreme heat or be a sign of a potential sinkhole. Stay on roads/trails in burned areas. Be extra cautious when leaving the road/trail, especially at night.
Side roads and trails may be impassable. Be cautious when taking side and connecting roads/trails. Often, they are less frequently maintained.
——————————————————
The Dragon Bravo Fire was started by lightning on July 4, 2025. Initially small and managed with a confine and contain strategy to burn for ecological health, the wildfire quickly expanded startingJuly 11 due to unfavorable winds, summer heat, and low humidity. It quickly expanded its footprint beyond fire control lines forcing the evacuation of all visitors and personnel from the North Rim Village area. Late-night on July 13, the wildfire destroyed the historic North Rim Lodge, burned through 70 other structures including employee housing and visitor cabins, and combusted the water treatment plant leading to the release of dense chlorine gas. The release of chlorine inhibited further fire retardant drops by aerial firefighters and led to the subsequent evacuation and closures of the North Kaibab, South Kaibab, and Bright Angel Trails as well as Phantom Ranch in the inner-canyon. The heroic efforts of fire crews thankfully kept the Kaibab Lodge, North Rim Country Store, and Demotte Campground from loss.
The burn of the North Rim Village has been a devastating loss to many. It has broken my heart personally.
Aided by historically low single-digit humidity conditions, a lack of monsoons during what should be stormy months, and Red Flag winds, the Dragon Bravo Fire continued to burn. At one point, it had over 1000 hotshots assigned to combat it. The fire grew into a formidable monster of a burn, often jumping containment. The Dragon Bravo spread down several miles into the inner-Grand Canyon in addition to working its way west towards Point Sublime, south towards Cape Royal on the Walhalla Plateau, north through the iconic aspen and subalpine meadows of the Kaibab Plateau, across much of the Saddle Mountain Wilderness, and even down into House Rock Valley. It churned out pyrocumulus columns of cloud and ash on the hottest/driest days for viewers on the South Rim; at night, the flames were visible as orange streaks, pyres, and glowing stars. By the end of September 2025, it sat at 145,500 acres in size
The NPS and USFS were forced to close large swaths of public lands on the Kaibab Plateau south of 89A/Jacob Lake in addition to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park for most of 2025.
The White Sage Wildfire was started by lightning on July 9, 2025 south of Fredonia and north of Jacob Lake amid sagebrush and grass. Aided by the same conditions that inflamed the Dragon Bravo Fire, it quickly swept east across the Buckskin Mountains and down to House Rock Road adjacent to the Vermilion Cliffs. Again, fire crews heroically saved Jacob Lake Inn, Kaibab Camper Village, and the Jacob Lake Campground from burning. The White Sage Fire ballooned to 59,000 acres in size churning out signifiant smoke and closing much of Highway 89A as well as public lands in northern Arizona up to the Utah border.
Bikepackers will need to be prepared for large burn scars, less shade, frequent fallen snags across roads, increased risks for flash floods in canyons/drainages, and reduced services for resupply and lodging. What won’t change are epic views of the Grand Canyon, high-elevation riding, the remote nature of the Kaibab Plateau, and there remain hundreds of miles of the route that haven’t burned. These sections still meander and wrap through mature subalpine forests thick with pine, meadow, and aspen.
If you want to help those who have been affected by the Dragon Bravo Fire as well as coming financial work to rebuild, please consider making a donation to the Grand Canyon Disaster Relief Fund managed by the Grand Canyon Conservancy.
-
LAST UPDATE: September 4, 2026
———————————————————
Closures
As of August 31, 15 miles of the AZT within Grand Canyon are closed due to flooding. A significant flash flood occurred in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on August 29, 2026. Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch are closed until further notice. The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River are also closed until further notice. There is currently no estimated reopening date for these areas and other inner canyon closures may be necessary. The flash flood resulted in significant impacts to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon. Nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, eliminating hiker access across the creek. Grand Canyon National Park staff are continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure.
The following areas are also temporarily closed to visitor use: South Kaibab Trail below the Tip-Off and the Bright Angel Trail below the intersection with the Tonto Trail.
———————————————————
The South Rim is currently under Stage 4 Water Restrictions following the August 31 flash flood at Phantom Ranch.. The flooding caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the inner canyon, including the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon for use in the park. The waterline is currently not operational, leaving the park with limited water reserves and requiring significant water conservation measures to ensure available supplies can be maintained.
All park concessions have halted overnight accommodations. This includes hotel facilities operated by Xanterra, such as El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Phantom Ranch, as well as Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. Overnight hotel accommodations located outside the park in the town of Tusayan will not be impacted by changes in park operations.
Only dry camping will be permitted. Spigot access at campgrounds on the South Rim will be turned off, though faucets in bathrooms will remain operational.
No fires will be allowed on the South Rim and inner canyon areas. Fire restrictions prohibit all wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques.
The park will remain open for day use. All South Rim food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and the Post Office will remain open. Some operations may have reduced hours.
The Southwest is a dynamic region. The Grand Canyon and Grand Rimlands are subject to wildfires, flash floods, extreme heat, blizzards, monsoon storms, and death mud. Grand Canyon National Park, Kaibab National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management are the main land management agencies who may issues closures for access. BEFORE you ride, make sure you check EACH of the links below to see if important alerts or closures will affect your riding of the established routes.Be prepared to use maps to find alternates should a sudden change in route conditions occur.
Good physical maps for the region can be accessed or purchased below:
South Rim Collections
The South Rim Collection’s bicycle routes are centered on and around the Coconino Plateau. The riding in this region stretches from the Navajo Nation in the east over to the Havasupai Tribal Land in the west. The region spans from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in the north down to the boundary of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National Monument at Red Butte in the south.
Only a 1.5 hour drive from Flagstaff, AZ, the South Rim encompasses the Coconino Plateau and the more developed Grand Canyon Village area. Riding along the rim is typified by longer paved stretches and some iconic dirt doubletrack out to distant rim viewpoints. The South Rim Village boasts a robust network of paved multi-use Greenway that stretches from the canyon to the town of Tusayan. Outside the core developed visitor areas is the vast Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument. Here, cyclists can tackle hundreds of miles of dirt forest service roads and little-traveled doubletrack. Nearly 70 miles of Arizona Trail singletrack is available for mountain bikers that wraps through this region. Remoteness and solitude are abundant within the outer stretches of the national monument although vehicles and people are expected near the South Rim developed areas. The Coconino Plateau's elevation ranges from 6000 feet at its lowest point to over 7500 feet at its highest. The landscape is marked by arid-uplands and desert with dominant vegetation being the juniper and the pinyon pine although thick stands of ponderosa pine are prevalent among the highest portions of the Coconino Rim.
North Rim Collections
The North Rim Collection’s bicycle routes are centered on and around the Kaibab Plateau. The riding in this region stretches from Lee’s Ferry at Marble Canyon and House Rock Valley in the east over to the Kanab Creek Wilderness in the west. The region spans from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in the south up to the Vermilion Cliffs and Buckskin Mountains in the north.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is remote to access at a nearly 4 hour drive from Flagstaff, AZ or 3.5 hours from St. George; it consequently receives only a fraction of the visitors that the popular South Rim receives. The region sits high up on the elevated Kaibab Plateau where viewpoints of the Grand Canyon are at nearly 9000 feet. Cycling routes in the area head down rarely used roads into lesser-seen parts of the Kaibab Plateau. This landscape is filled with thousands of miles of unpaved tracks criss-crossing terrain that makes dramatic swings between high elevation subalpine and lower elevation exposed desert; these biome changes exemplify the large elevation gains riding in this area requires. The North Rim's winter weather can be extreme at the higher elevations, making the riding season narrow. Lower parts of the region around House Rock Valley and the Vermilion Cliffs can be incredibly hot in the summer. The landscape juxtaposes thick aspen groves and spruce with raw rocklands seeded with sparse grass and sage. Riders should be prepared to self-rescue and be self-sufficient on the more isolated routes as hitching a ride may be unlikely if a problem arises. Truly reliable water resupplies are few with long distances between sources. About 77 miles of Arizona Trail singletrack, all open to mountain bikes, stretches from the North Rim edge all the way to the trail’s terminus at the Arizona-Utah border. Camping rim-side is available at many locations including Rainbow Rim, which is the sole opportunity for mountain bikers to ride singletrack along the rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Arizona Strip Collection
The Arizona Strip Collection’s bicycle routes are centered on and around the famously remote Arizona Strip of northern Arizona. The riding in this region stretches from the Kanab Creek Wilderness in the east over to Gold Butte National Monument in the west. The region spans from the Grand Canyon-Parshant National Monument in the south up to the Arizona-Utah state border and Virgin Mountains in the north.
The Arizona Strip is famously isolated - an area of the land that the Grand-Canyon Parashant National Monument recommends only be traversed by vehicles with two extra spare tires and advertises no developed facilities, stores, ranger stations, or paved roads. This is expedition bikepacking country. Riding in this landscape requires self-sufficient and experienced cyclists willing to take on extreme heat in the lowlands and cold conditions on mountain passes. Carrying many liters of water is a safe and expected norm along with several days worth of food. Bikepackers need to be prepared to repair their own bikes and gear. The rewards for the physical and preparation challenges associated with this place are geological wonder and remote beauty along with some of the most epic views of the Grand Canyon.
Bikepacking Routes of the Grand Rimlands Collection
The vast public lands that make up the Grand Rimlands present a true spread of options for bikepackers seeking overnighters, weekend escapes, or extended expeditions. Water and food resupplies present the biggest challenges for bikepackers exploring the region; riders should always be prepared to carry many liters of water and several days of food on the longer routes. The reward for anyone heading into the Grand Rimlands will be remote lookouts, stunning geology, gorgeous woodlands, and abundant wildlife.
