by Ethan Faverino | May 30, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
As Summer RV travel peaks across the United States, new research highlights stark differences in crowding at America’s national parks. Arizona’s iconic Grand Canyon National Park stands as a major draw for RV enthusiasts, ranking ninth busiest overall despite a cooling trend in 2025.
According to data from Blue Capital Holdings, RV campers flocked to Glacier National Park in Montana more than any other over the past five years, logging more than 429,000 summer visits (June-August) from 2021 to 2025. Yosemite National Park in California followed closely in second place.
Top 5 Most Popular National Parks for Summer RV Camping (2021-2025):
- Glacier National Park, Montana – 429,693 visits
- Yosemite National Park, California – 423,672 visits
- Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tennessee – 333,739 visits
- Olympic National Park, Washington – 280,272 visits
- Acadia National Park, Maine – 158,105 visits
“Summer shows just how concentrated RV travel has become around a small number of national parks,” stated Blue Capital Holdings CEO Rich Turasky. “Glacier and Yosemite are in a league of their own, and together they logged more than 850,000 summer RV visits over the past five years. What is interesting is that popularity does not always mean momentum. Glacier still ranks first overall, but its numbers slipped in 2025, while Yosemite surged by 43%. Rocky Mountain also climbed 23%, and Kings Canyon rose 42%, so there are still parks seeing very strong summer demand.”
Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona recorded 124,968 summer RV visits over the five-year period, securing ninth place nationally. The park saw 26,075 visits in 2024 before declining roughly 20% to 20,854 in 2025, reflecting broader patterns where many headline destinations experienced softening demand amid concerns over heat, crowding, and access.
Arizona’s crown jewel continues to captivate travelers seeking its world-renowned vistas, dramatic landscapes, and unique Southwest character. While not topping the list, the Grand Canyon remains a bucket-list staple for the RV campers drawn to Arizona’s natural wonders.
According to the National Park Service, Grand Canyon’s North Rim reopened as of May 15, 2026, following impacts from the Dragon Bravo Fire. All paved roadways within the park have reopened, restoring access to many iconic viewpoints such as Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Roosevelt Point, and Angels Window.
The North Rim Campground is expected to reopen in June 2026 for tent and RV camping, however there will be no water or RV hookups available — campers must bring all their own portable water.
Stage 2 fire restrictions also remain in effect throughout the 2026 season due to limited water resources, prohibiting wood and charcoal fires.
Several trails remain closed due to fire impacts, including Bright Angel Point, Widforss, Transept, Uncle Jim Trail, and sections of the Ken Patrick Trail. No overnight lodging is available on the North Rim inside the park this season, though options exist outside the park boundaries.
At the other end of the list, several parks recorded dramatically lower traffic, providing quieter alternatives for summer travel.
Top 5 Least Popular National Parks for Summer RV Camping (2021-2025):
- Badlands National Park, South Dakota – 1,845 visits
- Death Valley National Park, California – 4,245 visits
- Big Bend National Park, Texas – 4,979 visits
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas – 5,531 visits
- Canyonlands National Park, Utah – 6,138 visits
“At the same time, some of the biggest names lost ground. Great Smoky Mountains fell 19%, Grand Canyon was down 20%, and Yellowstone dropped 31% year on year,” added Turasky. “That suggests RV travelers are not just following the most famous names blindly, but are being influenced by heat, crowding, access, costs and the overall experience once they arrive. The least-visited summer parks also tell their own story. Places like Death Valley and Big Bend are spectacular, but summer can be a difficult time to visit them in an RV. For travelers willing to plan carefully, though, the lower numbers can mean a much quieter national park experience.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Apr 3, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A federal appeals court rejected Republican lawmakers’ effort to undo a million-acre monument near the Grand Canyon.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld former President Joe Biden’s designation of the monument. Biden issued a proclamation establishing the monument on land surrounding the Grand Canyon National Park. The former president justified its creation as a means of conservation and deference to Native American tribe history.
The acreage is now referred to as the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.
The monument name comes from two of the Native American tribes who lived in the region: the Havasupai (Baaj Nwaavjo, meaning “where Indigenous peoples roam,” and I’tah Kukveni meaning “our ancestral foot prints”).
The designation further shielded the acreage from mining operations, first prohibited in 2012 under a Department of Interior (DOI) ban lasting until at least 2032.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service jointly manage the monument.
The initial announcement prompted lawmakers to call Biden’s proclamation a “dictator-style land grab” and “government overreach” that had the potential to impact national security.
Arizona legislative leaders, State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, Mohave County, and the towns of Colorado City and Fredonia sued to reverse the designation in 2024.
The three local governments argued the monument would hurt the potential of future tax revenues, pending the DOI ban lapsing after 2032. Colorado City also argued the water supply coming from an aquifer under the monument could be infringed if federal actors decided to restrict it.
Arizona lawmakers and the state treasurer argued the monument designation limited their ability to sell, lease, set royalty rates, and set values for the land. They also argued the designation forced them to divert resources to address the effects of the monument.
As to the ban on uranium mining, all against the designation claimed economic harm would occur due to the potential for higher energy prices in the future.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected all of those arguments in a ruling issued on Wednesday. The judges found their claims to be speculative.
Apart from the physical land management provided by BLM, the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument is overseen by a Monument Advisory Committee (MAC).
The MAC, established in the fall of 2024, has 15 members:
- Luke Thompson, Arizona Game and Fishing Department representative;
- Jason Chavez, Gov. Katie Hobbs’ tribal affairs director;
- Patrice Horstman, Coconino County Board of Supervisors member;
- Angelita Bulletts, BLM district manager and Paiute tribal member;
- Bennett Wakayuta, Hualapai tribal member;
- Lena Fowler, Coconino County Board of Supervisors member and Navajo tribal member;
- Forrest Radarian, a high school science teacher representing outdoor recreations;
- Amanda Podmore, a conservationist with Grand Canyon Trust;
- James “Jim” Unmacht, executive director of Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation;
- Kathryn Leonard, state historic preservation officer with Arizona State Parks and Trails;
- Clare Aslan, associate professor and director of Northern Arizona University’s school of earth and sustainability;
- Sherre Finicum, a rancher;
- Clarinda Vail, mayor of the town of Tusayan; and
- Members of the public Dale Barlow and Lydia Breunig.
Their terms are set to expire in 2027 or 2028. It doesn’t appear that the MAC has conducted any meetings.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 17, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ02) to speed recovery efforts at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon passed the U.S. House of Representatives with unanimous, bipartisan support.
According to a statement released by Crane’s office, the House approved the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025, which aims to accelerate rebuilding efforts following the Dragon Bravo Fire that damaged infrastructure and surrounding areas in 2025.
The bill, cosponsored by Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ05), Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08), and Paul Gosar (R-AZ09), seeks to streamline the federal contracting process by granting the National Park Service (NPS) emergency contracting authority to expedite recovery projects.
“Five months ago, I introduced the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025 after listening to folks on the ground who were directly impacted by this devastating fire,” Crane said in a statement. “Whether speaking with small business owners, local officials, or park staff, it became clear that removing red tape and bureaucratic hurdles would benefit all stakeholders. Today’s unanimous vote sends a clear message that America refuses to abandon our iconic landmarks and storied communities. This timely response would not be possible without the leadership of Chairman Westerman, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, and everyone else who helped build this blueprint. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to embrace our strong momentum and send this critical bill to the president’s desk.”
In a post to X, Crane wrote, “It’s time for the Senate to harness this strong bipartisan momentum.”
The Dragon Bravo Fire, sparked by a lightning strike in July 2025, destroyed more than 100 structures on the North Rim, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. The damage disrupted tourism and impacted park employees, local businesses, and nearby communities that rely on visitation to the park.
Crane introduced the legislation on October 9, 2025, after meeting with park officials, local leaders, and business owners about recovery efforts in northern Arizona.
According to the text of the legislation, the measure authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to use federal emergency acquisition flexibilities when contracting for recovery work within the affected areas of Grand Canyon National Park. The authority would apply to forest restoration, infrastructure rebuilding, and other recovery improvements.
The bill also requires the National Park Service to provide Congress with a comprehensive report every 180 days detailing recovery progress and federal expenditures.
The legislation advanced through the House Committee on Natural Resources with unanimous support before receiving approval from the full House. Local officials have expressed support for the measure, including the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, which endorsed the legislation during the legislative process.
The North Rim Restoration Act now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Dec 4, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Beginning Dec. 6, 2025, all in-park hotels on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, including El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, and Trailer Village, will shutter indefinitely to overnight guests. The closure decision was prompted by a series of significant breaks in the 12.5-mile Transcanyon Waterline supplying the park’s water, the National Park Service revealed Tuesday.
As of mid-November, water is no longer being pumped to the South Rim, the National Park Service said, forcing park officials to suspend overnight stays and dial back visitor amenities. The NPS reported that overnight stays at accommodations outside of the park in nearby Tusayan are unaffected.
According to NPS, “The waterline has exceeded its expected lifespan and experiences frequent failures, which require expensive and continuous maintenance work to repair leaks. The National Park Service started construction in 2023 on a multi-year, $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline and upgrades to the associated water delivery system. This crucial investment in infrastructure will ensure the park is able to meet water supply needs for five million annual visitors and approximately 2,500 year-round residents. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.”
The Park Service is asking year-round residents to help conserve water by taking steps to reduce usage, such as limiting showers to 5 minutes or less, turning off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, flushing toilets only when necessary, washing laundry only with full loads, and reporting leaks to the appropriate authorities.
In a Tuesday press release, the agency said that “Dry Camping,” requiring campers to transport their own water, will continue to be permitted, with water spigot access available at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk; however, spigots inside the campground have been shut down. Faucets in park bathrooms will also remain operational.
Grand Canyon National Park Public Affairs Officer and Communications Lead, Joëlle Baird, suggested that the closure could be resolved relatively quickly, saying, “If all planned work proceeds without additional issues, we anticipate being able to restore water service and begin reopening overnight lodging as early as next week.”
The outlet reported that welding repairs to the 1960s-vintage pipeline were progressing on Wednesday despite a fresh snowfall, and the current repair schedule calls for flushing and recharging the system over the next several days.
In the aftermath of the devastating Dragon Bravo fire, hotel closures are an additional blow to parkgoers. In addition, a complete prohibition on all fires remains in place for the South Rim and inner canyon areas, such as “outdoor wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 17, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) has introduced the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025 to streamline federal contracting and accelerate recovery from the Dragon Bravo Fire.
The fire, sparked by lightning on July 4, burned 145,504 acres in Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest before being declared fully contained, almost four months later, on September 29th. It destroyed key infrastructure across the parks, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, leading to partial closures of the North Rim that are likely to continue throughout the 2025 season. The closures have reportedly impacted park staff, local communities, and the tourism revenue from the site that generates billions annually for Arizona’s economy.
The bill grants the National Park Service emergency contracting authority to bypass standard procurement delays for fire recovery efforts, including forest management, maintenance, rebuilding, and infrastructure upgrades. It requires the agency to submit progress reports to Congress every 180 days.
Original cosponsors include Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ05) and Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08), as well as House Natural Resources Committee members: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-AZ09), Subcommittee on Federal Lands Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-WI07), Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA01), and Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT02).
“While the Dragon Bravo Fire dealt a setback for Northern Arizona, we won’t let this tragedy define our future. We have an opportunity to rebuild stronger and better than before, and we can’t let unnecessary regulations get in the way,” Crane said in a statement. “This legislation paves the way for an efficient recovery, and I’m grateful for the bipartisan support on this approach. I also want to thank our heroic firefighters and first responders who brought the fire to full containment, as well as the local leaders in Coconino County who are committed to restoring this treasured place.”
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors praised the act stating, “Coconino County supports the North Rim Restoration Act, which gives the National Park Service the ability to respond swiftly and thoughtfully, not only to rebuild the physical structures, but to restore the enduring spirit of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. We are deeply grateful to Representative Crane for championing this legislation and recognizing the devastation caused by the Dragon Bravo Fire and the heartbreaking loss for everyone who treasures this extraordinary place.”
Crane previewed the bill in an Oct. 9 post to X, writing, “Tomorrow, I’m introducing the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025. This legislation will eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and expedite the rebuild of the Grand Canyon. While the Dragon Bravo Fire dealt a setback for #AZ02, we won’t let this tragedy define our future.”
Crane also announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans via the U.S. Small Business Administration in early September. The loans will assist businesses, nonprofits, and tribal nations that endured economic losses from the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires.
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
