Standing with Those Affected by the Grand Canyon Floods

Following the devastating flash flooding in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area deep inside Grand Canyon National Park Aug. 29, our hearts are with the visitors and park staff who were there during the crisis, and with the families and loved ones of the deceased and those yet unaccounted for. We are deeply grateful to the National Park Service staff, first responders and partner agencies carrying out difficult evacuations and search efforts in dangerous conditions.

Grand Canyon has always inspired awe and respect in those who have had the chance to stand on its edge or descend into its depths. Twenty years ago, I hiked to Phantom Ranch with my dad in celebration of my 21st birthday. Being Midwesterners, we had experienced no precedent for the power of the landscape we hiked into via the Bright Angel Trail. I was struck by its sheer magnitude, of course, but even more so by the raw beauty of the ancient trees, fields of sage, the light of sunrise on the sandstone walls, and far, far below, the great Colorado River.

Over the course of two days, we followed the well-worn trail down to that river and our turnaround destination, the historical Phantom Ranch, a storied lodge built in the 1920s — famous as much for those who have cared for and passed through it than for its location in the heart of the canyon.

Today, we count the cost of this weekend’s events. The flood has destroyed Bright Angel campground and the nearby footbridges. The Silver and Black Bridges that span the Colorado River are closed indefinitely due to structural concerns. The Transcanyon Waterline, the park’s essential water system, has also been critically damaged, forcing closures and severe water restrictions. Visitors should follow official guidance, respect all closures and postpone travel into affected areas. Doing so protects lives and gives emergency crews the room they need to work.

Recovery will take time and sustained public commitment.

This tragedy also underscores the broader reality facing parks across the Southwest. Extreme weather, wildfire and post-fire flooding are straining landscapes, communities and aging infrastructure. To cope, parks need dependable funding, modern emergency systems and climate-resilient infrastructure.

NPCA is also thinking of Grand Canyon’s first responders and brave staff who are working tirelessly to rescue visitors and protect the landscape one mile below the rim. Last year’s devastating North Rim fires followed by this flash flood are a stark reminder of the increased frequency and intensity of the disasters facing parks, and the need for proper resources to manage these places.

In the long road to recovery ahead, NPCA will continue to support the beating heart of Grand Canyon — the park staff who dedicate their careers to protecting and sharing these national treasures with the world. We also will continue to stand with the local communities and Tribal Nations connected to this irreplaceable landscape.

Recovery will take time and sustained public commitment. Congress and the administration must ensure the National Park Service has the resources to repair what was lost, prepare for future disasters and keep visitors and staff safe.

The Grand Canyon and our national parks are enduring, but durability should never be mistaken for invulnerability. In the days ahead, may we support those affected, including the responders, and recommit ourselves to protecting this extraordinary national park for generations to come.