Grand Canyon National Park rangers are encouraging visitors to have a safe and memorable vacation to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A trip to Grand Canyon can be both fun and safe by keeping these few tips in mind.

Stay on designated trails and walkways and always keep a safe distance from the edge of the rim. In areas where there is a railing or fence, do not climb over the barrier.

Grand Canyon National Park would like to invite the public to the 7th annual living history event "Echoes from the Canyon". In place of the park's nightly evening program, visitors can learn about characters from Grand Canyon's past as they come to life and share their stories about life on the rim. Opening night is Friday, June 29 at 8:30 pm at McKee Amphitheater with additional presentations on Friday, July 27; Saturday, July 28; and Sunday July 29.

Visitors to Grand Canyon, especially inner canyon hikers, mule riders, and backpackers, need to prepare for excessively hot days in the coming weeks. In the summer, temperatures on exposed parts of the trail can reach over 120 F (49 C). Hiking in extreme heat can lead to serious health risks including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hyponatremia, and hyperthermia.

The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service will implement additional fire restrictions, also known as Stage II fire restrictions, across the North Kaibab Ranger District, and the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon of Grand Canyon National Park beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. Visitors should be mindful that these new fire restrictions will limit certain activities and will remain in effect until rescinded, which typically occurs after significant and widespread moisture arrives and fire danger levels subside.

With fire restrictions in effect across much of northern Arizona, including Grand Canyon National Park's neighbors Coconino County, Arizona state lands in the county, and the Kaibab National Forest, NPS fire managers remind visitors and residents that fire danger in the park is very high.

Due to its dark skies and clean air, Grand Canyon offers one of the best night sky observing sites in the United States.

For eight days in June, park visitors explore the wonders of the night sky on Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and on the North Rim with the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix. Amateur astronomers from across the country volunteer their expertise and offer free nightly astronomy programs and telescope viewing.

The gate at the entrance to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 7:30 am. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, a Forever Resorts property, and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will commence their 2018 operations. Kaibab Plateau businesses, from Jacob Lake to the park boundary, will also be open on May 15.

Visitors planning to hike, camp, recreate, and take in the breathtaking views of Grand Canyon National Park during spring break should also prepare for long lines and road construction.

As a result of increased spring break visitation, traffic regularly backs up at the South Rim entrance stations, with the longest wait time between 10 am and 4 pm. Parking lots, especially near Grand Canyon Visitor Center, start reaching capacity by 11 am. In addition to increased traffic, Grand Canyon Village roads are also under construction and some detours are in place. All South Rim operations and businesses are open and accessible during road construction.

The National Park Service (NPS) will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan in 2018. In anticipation of large spring break crowds, the route will begin service on Thursday, March 1. The Tusayan Route will run at 20- minute intervals between 8 am and 9:30 pm daily.

Grand Canyon Association presents the 10th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art 2018 (click the link for more information.)