Historic lodge on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim has been destroyed by wildfire, park official says

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. – A fast-moving wildfire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, forcing officials to close access to the North Rim for the season, the park said Sunday.

The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff and others in a meeting Sunday morning. He said the visitor center, the gas station, a waste water treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost. “Numerous” historic cabins in the area were also destroyed, the park said.

Two growing wildfires in northern Arizona have exploded in size, resulting in the White Sage Fire at more than 59,000 acres and the Dragon Bravo Fire at just over 71,000.

The Dragon Bravo Fire is 13% contained.

Both fires were fueled by dry brush and strong winds.

The Dragon Bravo Fire forced evacuations along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and reached a water treatment site, causing a chlorine gas leak. It was one of the dozens of buildings that have been destroyed, including the historic North Rim Lodge.

Facility impacted by chlorine gas release

The Dragon Bravo Fire burning on the north rim of the Grand Canyon has triggered a chlorine gas release. This comes as flames reached the water treatment facility.

Family recounts wildfire

Dig deeper:

As firefighting efforts continue, we are hearing from a woman whose family watched the lodge burn.

When Leah Sawyer’s family got news of the Dragon Bravo Fire, they worried that their trip hiking to Phantom Ranch might be over before it started.

“I was a little concerned,” Sawyer recounted.

Before she got on her flight out of Baltimore on July 12, Sawyer said she called the Backcountry Information Office to see if the fire would be a concern.

“The office said it wasn’t going to be something to worry about, and they were having it under control,” said Sawyer.

Before they could leave the lodge and make their way into the Grand Canyon, however, someone with the National Park Service stopped them.

“She’s like, ‘I’m so sorry to tell you, but they have canceled all camping in the canyon, and they’ve closed every trail,'” Sawyer recounted.

While she was able to visit other parts of the canyon, Sawyer said her family was there the night the lodge burned down, and were shocked by what they saw.

“It was almost a feeling of helplessness because you’re sitting there, watching the entire place burn to the ground from across the canyon,” said Sawyer.

The North Rim community

There are countless stories and memories being shared on social media about this historic lodge, which is the only lodging available on the North Rim within park limits, making it a popular destination for visitors.

The North Rim is also a community of locals, and there were many people who had to evacuate the area due to the blaze.

Luckily, no injuries have been reported, but the loss of the lodge, and other park structures, like the visitor center and water treatment facility, means the loss of important history and a part of this community’s home.

A firefighter stands near smoldering debris and active flames amid the charred remains of burned structures near the Grand Canyon Lodge on July 13, 2025. (Grand Canyon National Park)

What they’re saying:

Nate Loper, the director of A Different View Tours, has spent many days up on the North Rim, while less visited is no less special, and said the whole community is definitely devastated.

“The North Rim has always been considered to be kind of more peaceful, remote, kind of relaxing rim of the canyon, you might say. Even after dropping off backpacking trips and the guides to head down into the canyon. I’ve spent many times just going over the North Rim, just to sit there and enjoy the views, relax there for a few hours and just kind of look out over the canyon in a very peaceful place.”

Meanwhile, Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show postcast host Brian Speciale fears one of the best hikes is at risk, with the fire reaching the North Kaibab Trail.

“That’s one of the three corridor trails, along with Bright Angel and South Kaibab, that is necessary for the hike,” said Speciale. “It’s called rim-to-rim, which is the iconic bucket list hike for so many people.”

Historic Grand Canyon Lodge destroyed by fires

Robert Stieve, editor-in-chief of Arizona Highways magazine, speaks with Syleste Rodriguez and Anita Roman on FOX 10 Talks as he remembers the historic Grand Canyon Lodge that was destroyed by the fires in Northern Arizona.

That peaceful setting, now altered by the Dragon Bravo Fire, which has destroyed more than 50 buildings in the national park. The lodge was not just a tourist destination, but a treasured part of the community.

“I’ve known a number of guides and other people that have worked in the hotels and lodges.. that’s been their home for multiple years, even if it’s season, they’re there every year, so to lose a bit of your home is a challenge,” said Loper.

He pointed out that the lodge burned down after a basement fire in the 1930s and was rebuilt within a few years. He expects a similar response to the devastation we heard about on July 13.

“I’m expecting a number of grassroots movements as well as the National Park Service to come through and to help rebuild and that’s kind of been the heart of even some of the people I’ve talked to in the community that yeah, they’re definitely saying let’s rebuild again. This has happened before. We live in an environment where we’re surrounded by beautiful trees, and a landscape that does bring in fire, so hey, we’ve been through things before, we’ll pull through again.”

What’s next:

Coconino County officials say the first priority is getting the fire under control and then the mission will be to rebuild.

“They’re closing about three months early and, you know, given the fact that they have lost all the structures there and also, as you know, their water treatment plant, it’s really important that we rebuild and allow others the opportunity that many of us have had to enjoy the North Rim again,” said Patrice Horstman.

She adds that the county is partnering with other agencies to provide help with traffic management and emergency notifications. Communication has already begun with the Red Cross to assist those dislocated by the fire.

History at the Grand Canyon Lodge

Rebuilding is not new for the area as an original lodge burned down due a kitchen fire in 1932. That was four years after construction was completed, according to the Grand Canyon Historical Society. The redesigned lodge using the original stonework opened in 1937.

Evacuations

The park was initially managing the Dragon Bravo Fire as a controlled burn, but then shifted to suppression as it rapidly grew to 7.8 square miles (20 square kilometers) because of hot temperatures, low humidity and wind, fire officials said. 

Aramark, the company that operated the lodge, said all employees and guests were safely evacuated.

“As stewards of some our country’s most beloved national treasures, we are devastated by the loss,” said spokesperson Debbie Albert.

Millions of people visit Grand Canyon National Park annually, with most going to the more popular South Rim. The North Rim is open seasonally. It was evacuated on July 10 because of wildfire, and will remain closed for the rest of the season, the park said in a statement.

Firefighters at the North Rim and hikers in the inner canyon were evacuated over the weekend. The park said along with the fire risk, they could potentially be exposed to chlorine gas after the treatment plant burned. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can lead to blurred vision, irritation or respiratory problems if high amounts of it are breathed in, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rafters on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon were also told to bypass Phantom Ranch, which has a set of cabins and dormitories along the river. 

Firefighting progress

Meanwhile, officials reported progress in battling a second wildfire burning north of the Grand Canyon. Fire lines on the White Sage Fire that forced evacuations at the North Rim and in the community of Jacob Lake were holding, officials said. By Sunday afternoon, the fire had charred 63 square miles (162 square kilometers) of terrain.

On the southern edge of the fire, hand crews and bulldozers were working uphill, and the spread of the blaze had been minimal. 

But to the east and north, the fire has spread rapidly, with grasses and standing dead trees contributing to the fire’s intensity, officials said. The fire was pushing downhill toward the Vermilion Cliffs area, and crews were assessing opportunities to create buffer zones that help slow or halt the fire’s progress. 

Tourists at the lodge

The Grand Canyon Lodge was often the first prominent feature that visitors see, even before viewing the canyon. A highway ends at the lodge, which was known for its sloped roof, huge ponderosa beams and massive limestone facade. By walking across the lobby and descending a stairwell, visitors could get their first view of the Grand Canyon shining through windows across the “Sun Room.”

“It just feels like you’re a pioneer when you walk through there (the lodge),” said Tim Allen, a longtime resident of Flagstaff, Arizona, and yearly visitor to the Grand Canyon. “It really felt like you were in a time gone by.”

Allen said the North Rim felt special and more personal because of its remoteness and reduced number of tourists. He often spent time there camping and doing rim-to-rim hikes, trekking all the way to the bottom of the canyon and back out.

“It’s heartbreaking,” he said of the destruction caused by the fire.

Visitors relax at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim. (April 2023 file photo) ((Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images))

Statement from Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs

“I am incredibly saddened by the destruction of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, and my heart goes out to every person impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire near the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. As someone who was born and raised in Arizona, I know what the Grand Canyon National Park means to so many people, not just in Arizona, but all over the world, and how devastating it is to see this damage done to one of Arizona’s most cherished landmarks. I thank every firefighter and first responder for their unwavering commitment in taking action to combat the flames, and the state will continue to support and aid in suppressing the fire and protecting Arizonans.

“An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal government’s emergency response. They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage. But Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park. While the flame was started with a lightning strike, the federal government chose to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer.

“I am calling for the federal government to conduct a comprehensive, thorough, and independent investigation into the management of the Dragon Bravo Fire, and to produce a report detailing the decisions that led to this devastating outcome. As wildfires become more frequent and more intense, Arizona deserves nothing less than an aggressive and proactive emergency response from federal partners to ensure Arizonan’s lives, homes, businesses and natural resources are preserved.”

Statement from Sen. Ruben Gallego

“I’m devastated to hear about the destruction of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. My thoughts are with everyone in the affected areas and our firefighters on the front lines. Please continue to follow evacuation orders and stay alert.”

Statement from Sen. Mark Kelly

“My team and I are closely monitoring the White Sage and Dragon Bravo wildfires near the Grand Canyon. Thank you to the firefighters working to contain the fires and protect Arizonans. Anyone nearby please follow instruction from local officials.”

Map of the area