Flash flood closes Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon

What happened. On 29 August 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. local time, a significant flash flood hit Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. The National Park Service (NPS) reports that nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek were destroyed and camps, trails and utilities were damaged.

People. By the morning of 30 August, at least 62 people had been airlifted from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail; further evacuations continued from Cottonwood Campground. On the evening of 30 August, the body of a 46-year-old man was recovered near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River. NPS listed roughly 15 hikers and campers still missing or unaccounted for (backcountry itineraries, day hikes on North Kaibab/Phantom Ranch, the “Box” area).

Closures (no reopening date):

• Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, canteen and cabins;
• the full North Kaibab Trail from North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch;
• Black Bridge and Silver Bridge across the Colorado River;
• Colorado River traffic — debris in the water.

Water and lodging. The flood damaged the Transcanyon Waterline. From 31 August, Stage 4 water restrictions apply on the South Rim: all in-park overnight lodging closed (El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch, Yavapai Lodge, Trailer Village); campgrounds are dry-camping only; wood and charcoal fires banned on the South Rim and in the inner canyon.

For travellers. The park remains partly open for day use, but inner-canyon access and classic Phantom Ranch routes are off limits. Check NPS Key Hiking Messages and storm forecasts before you go — more flash floods were possible.