Flash floods leave visitors missing in Grand Canyon

Flash floods tore through a remote section of Grand Canyon National Park, destroying footbridges, closing trails and forcing dozens of evacuations as officials worked Sunday to account for hikers, campers and lodge guests near the canyon floor.

At least 20 people were missing or unaccounted for after flooding overwhelmed the Bright Angel Canyon area, including the historic Phantom Ranch, NBC News reported, citing officials. CBS News reported that around 15 people were believed to be missing, and a park spokesperson said that number could change as more information becomes available.

The National Park Service asked the public for help identifying anyone who may have been hiking or backpacking Saturday afternoon along Bright Angel Creek, in Bright Angel Canyon, near Phantom Ranch or on the North Kaibab Trail. Authorities also sought information about campers with plans to stay at Bright Angel Campground, travelers in “the Box” north of Phantom Ranch, and anyone who may have been stranded along the North Kaibab Trail between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Phantom Ranch.

“Grand Canyon National Park staff, in coordination with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, are continuing evacuation and response efforts and working to account for individuals who may have been in the affected area,” the National Park Service said in a statement.

By Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail, officials said. Additional evacuations from Phantom Ranch and Cottonwood Campground were expected.

The flooding caused widespread damage across Bright Angel Canyon, sweeping large boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River, officials said. Park administrators said nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, cutting off pedestrian access across the creek.

“The flash flood resulted in significant impacts to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon,” the National Park Service said. “Grand Canyon National Park staff are continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure.”

Officials closed Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch Canteen, the North Kaibab Trail, the Black and Silver bridges and Colorado River traffic in the area until further notice while damage is assessed. No reopening date was immediately available. Colorado River traffic was also halted because of the risk from floating debris.

About a half-inch to 1 inch of rain fell in roughly 30 minutes in the rocky area, where steep terrain caused water to move quickly, National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow in Flagstaff told The Associated Press.

“Most of it ran off instantly,” Johndrow said.

Officials warned that additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall were possible Sunday and Monday, creating the risk of more flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and rapidly changing trail and river conditions.

“This is a reminder of what a dynamic and active landscape [the] Grand Canyon is,” Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University, told the AP.

Phantom Ranch, near Bright Angel Creek close to the bottom of the canyon, is accessible only by hiking, raft or mule transport. The lodge opened in 1922 and is a highly sought-after destination that is often booked months in advance. Park officials asked visitors to stay away from closed areas and said the lodge operator would inform guests about the status of reservations.

Grand Canyon National Park was the fourth-most visited national park in the United States, with 4,430,653 recreational visits in 2025, according to CBS News.