As of today, Oct. 1, Grand Canyon National Park remained open, despite the government shutdown.
The National Park Service advised that national parks, including Grand Canyon, “remain as accessible as possible,” but services may be limited as many park employees have been furloughed.
The good news is the entrances to the park remain open with no entrance fees being collected.
Keeping the Grand Canyon open is important for the economy and tourism in Williams. Grand Canyon National Park drew more than 4.9 million visitors and contributed almost $1 billion in visitor spending to local economies near the Canyon in 2024, according to the National Park Service.
While the State of Arizona has contributed funds to the park during past shutdowns, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said the state will not provide funds this time.
The contingency plan, recently updated prior to the closure, indicated that roads, viewpoints, trails, and outdoor memorials at national parks will typically stay open to visitors.
The plan also noted that emergency services will be restricted during the closure, minimal maintenance will occur, regular updates on road or trail conditions will not be provided, and information will only be shared on their websites and social media in case of emergencies.
The park could close if visitor access becomes a safety or health issue, the plan stated. Such issues include severe weather impacts, adverse road conditions and trash buildups that pose a threat to human and/or wildlife health.
The shutdown is not welcomed news to businesses and the City of Williams as they are already facing a significant downturn in hotel stays and tax revenue. The city is already facing the prospect of financial difficulties next year with the loss of revenue by the forced closure of the Zip Line combined with significant increases in spending on the Police and Fire Departments.
We will provide updates as they become available.
