Grand Canyon North Rim Opens, Camping Permits Needed At Tuweep

Grand Canyon North Rim - NPS photo by Jessica Pope

Grand Canyon's North Rim opened for the season today - it will be accessible until snow starts to fly next fall. The Park made this announcement on its Facebook page:

What an incredible opening day on the North Rim! The sun is shining, and the temperatures are perfect! We could not be more excited. Visitors were lined up at the gate when we opened at 7am. Everywhere people are excited and smiling. Situated at 8,200' above sea level, the North Rim of Grand Canyon closes for the winter months and reopens every year on May 15th. If you haven't yet, start planning your summer trip to the beautiful high forests and cool air of Grand Canyon's North Rim.

Camping Permits Will Be Needed At Tuweep Campground

Tuweep is a remote vista on the north side of the Grand Canyon. It is accessible via dirt roads that cross the Arizona Strip from St. George, Utah. Several fun trails begin in that area, for folks who enjoy solitude and long treks into remove wilderness.

The small campground at Tuweep has been open on a first-come, first-served basis, but permits will be needed to camp there beginning this fall. The park service provided this news release. Below are excerpts.

After September 1, visitors who plan to camp at Tuweep will need to have a permit issued by the National Park Service.

Campers may begin making reservations on May 1, 2014 for dates on or after September 1. Reservations can be made on the first of the month four months prior to the proposed start date and will be accepted through the park's backcountry reservation system. A non-refundable fee of $10 per permit plus a $5 per group per night fee is required to obtain a permit. For more information about the permit process or to make a reservation, please visit http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm.

Visitors may also be able to obtain a walk-up permit, up to six days in advance and based on availability, by visiting Pipe Spring National Monument in Fredonia, AZ or at the St. George Public Lands Visitor Center in St. George, UT.