Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is now closed for the season. Arizona State Route 67, leading to the North Rim closed on Dec. 1. State Route 67 and all services on the North Rim are expected to re-open for the 2015 season on May 15, 2015.

The North Rim campground and yurt will still be available for winter camping and are accessible via inner canyon trails from the South Rim or by cross-country skiing and snowshoeing — a 45-mile trip from Jacob Lake.

To stay at the North Rim during the winter months, visitors will need a backcountry permit, which can be obtained from the Backcountry Information Center located at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Permit requests can be faxed year-round to (928) 638-2125.

Backcountry permits for North Rim winter camping are also available at Pipe Springs National Monument in Fredonia, Ariz., and the Bureau of Land Management Interagency Visitor Center in St. George, Utah.

Visitors considering the idea of hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing to the North Rim are reminded that winter conditions are highly variable. Extreme snowfall and bitterly cold temperatures are not uncommon at 8,000 feet.

For additional information on winter use on the North Rim, please call the Backcountry Information Center at (928) 638-7875, between the hours of 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST, weekdays, excluding holidays.

The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is open year-round. Additional park information can be obtained by calling 928-638-7888 or by visiting the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grca.