More than 50 hikers and campers were airlifted to safety after a wall of floodwater tore through the Grand Canyon on Saturday afternoon.
The surge hit Bright Angel Canyon around 2:30 p.m., triggered by torrential monsoonal rains that sent water levels climbing rapidly through one of the park’s most popular corridors, National Park Service officials reported.
Dramatic footage captured the scene: a churning, chocolate-brown torrent violently sweeping the canyon floor, carrying debris, logs and vegetation in its path. The muddy wall of water obliterated trail corridors as it surged downward, transforming a desert landscape into a dangerous river within minutes.
Park officials moved immediately to clear the area. Search and rescue crews launched an airlift operation targeting Phantom Ranch, the historic camping area nestled deep in the canyon where dozens of visitors had gathered. The evacuation pulled over 50 individuals from the flood zone, according to reports.
The response came as the flood’s speed and volume caught many in the backcountry off guard. Summer monsoons are a known hazard in the region, but the intensity of Saturday’s rainfall created conditions that demanded urgent intervention.
In the aftermath, the National Park Service shut down Phantom Ranch entirely, along with the complete length of the North Kaibab Trail. Both closures remain in effect until further notice as officials assess damage and monitor weather patterns for additional risks.
The North Kaibab Trail serves as one of the primary routes connecting the canyon’s North Rim to the Colorado River, making its closure a significant disruption for backpackers and mule riders with planned excursions. Phantom Ranch, accessible only by foot, mule or river, sits at the bottom of the canyon near the river’s edge and has operated as a lodging destination for nearly a century.
Park officials have not announced a timeline for reopening either the ranch or the trail, leaving future visitors in limbo as cleanup and safety evaluations continue.