Last updated: August 20, 2021
Much has changed at the Grand Canyon and other landmark locations in the Southwest in the last year as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. From restrictions and service limitations to mask mandates, every attraction, monument, and State or National Park, has made adjustments to how they operate and the way you can enjoy the many trails, viewpoints, and services they have to offer.
We know you have questions about what to expect at the Grand Canyon, as well as other iconic Southwest locations like the Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, and the Valley of Fire. Check out our quick reference chart below for current restrictions, mask requirements, and more at:
- The Grand Canyon National Park (North and South Rims)
- Grand Canyon West
- Antelope Canyon
- Horseshoe Bend
- Death Valley
- Red Rock Canyon
- Valley of Fire
- Hoover Dam
- Lake Mead
- State of Nevada
- City of Las Vegas
Keep reading below the chart for more details on what to expect at each of these locations. Information will be updated regularly.
#GrandReopening: Status as of August 20, 2021
| Attraction | Status | Masks Required? | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon National Park (South & North Rim) | Open with some exceptions | Yes. Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial/high transmission, park visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings and on all forms of public transportation, as well as in outdoor areas where distancing cannot be maintained. | Desert View Watchtower Retail Store (Kiva Room) is open but the tower remains closed. Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles. South Rim Visitor Center and Theater and the Park Headquarters Information Desk are closed. Many restaurants are closed or require advanced reservations for lunch and dinner. Check bulletin boards and signs for available Park Ranger programs. Restrictions exist on both the Navajo and Havasupai reservations. |
| Grand Canyon West | Open with restrictions | Masks or protective face coverings are NOT required for all guests who have been fully vaccinated per the CDC guidelines May 2021. | All restaurants are open with reduced seating capacities to allow for a minimum of 6 feet between each seated group or party of guests. |
| Antelope Canyon | Open with restrictions | Masks required for anyone aged 2 and up, regardless of vaccination status. | The Navajo Reservation has a mask mandate. If you cannot and/or refuse to wear a mask, you are asked to visit at another time when the Navajo Nation does not have a mask mandate. |
| Horseshoe Bend | Open with restrictions | Yes. Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial/high transmission, park visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings and on all forms of public transportation. | No overnight camping along the Beehive/Ferry Swale road network Carl Hayden Visitor Center, tours of the Glen Canyon Dam, and Park Headquarters remain closed. |
| Death Valley | Open with some exceptions | Yes. Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial/high transmission, park visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings and on all forms of public transportation. | Only accepting payment for day pass fee by debit/credit card. Take-out food options may be available; gas stations remain open. Stores operate at reduced occupancy |
| Red Rock Canyon | Open with some exceptions | Yes, if you are not fully vaccinated, inside in any shared space, and in crowded outdoor spaces, as per CDC recommendations. | Reservations required for Scenic Drive. Red Spring Picnic Area remains closed. In-person programs and guided hikes are on hold |
| Valley of Fire | Open with some restrictions | Yes, all people, regardless of their vaccination status, must wear a mask in public indoor settings. | Group use areas require reservations. |
| Hoover Dam | Open with limited access to most facilities | Yes, masks required for everyone inside the Visitor Center Building regardless of immunization status. | There are no Hoover Dam tours at this time. Visitor Center Exhibits are open to the public at 25% capacity. |
| Lake Mead | Open with some restrictions | Yes. Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial/high transmission, park visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings and on all forms of public transportation. | Park Store and Visitor Center are open but exhibits and film are closed. Reservations are required for ranger-led programs. |
| City of Las Vegas | Open with some exceptions and restrictions | Yes, everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission | Individual establishments set their own COVID-19 protocols based on city and state recommendations and mandates. Check individual establishment and hotel websites to confirm their safety guidelines and whether they are open, open with restrictions, or closed. |
| State of Nevada: Clark County | Open with some exceptions and restrictions | Yes, everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission | Individual establishments set their own COVID-19 protocols based on city and state recommendations and mandates. Check individual city, establishment, and hotel websites to confirm their safety guidelines and whether they are open, open with restrictions, or closed. |
Grand Canyon National Park (South and North Rims)
The Grand Canyon National Park at the South Rim is open with restrictions in place. The North Rim is now open for the 2021 season.
What's open and closed?
Park operations vary based on local public health conditions. Before visiting, please check the Grand Canyon National Park website to determine its operating status.
Open
Closed
Mask requirements
Yes. As of 8/16/2021, wearing a face mask/covering is required for everyone:
- Inside all park buildings. Regardless of vaccination status.
- When boarding and inside park shuttle buses. This is a federal mandate that applies to vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals on all public transit.
In addition, wearing a face mask/covering is now required for everyone:
- In outdoors spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as narrow or busy trails and overlooks.
- In outdoor mask zones designated by the park superintendent.
Masks must cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the sides of the face. Masks not designed to be protective, masks with ventilation valves, and face shields do not meet the requirement.
Other information
Entrance Fees should be paid at the entrance stations, or by purchasing a pass in advance from nearby third-party vendors, or online, through Recreation.gov.
Additional details are available at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
Grand Canyon West
Grand Canyon West is operated by the Hualapai Indian Tribe, and is therefore subject to Hualapai Indian Tribe rules and restrictions.
A number of safety protocols are in place, including:
- Non-invasive no-touch temperature checks with temporal thermometers, plus the collection of contact information when guests arrive at the Grand Canyon West parking lot.
- Guests are required to observe physical distancing recommendations by staying at least 6 feet away from other groups of people not traveling with them while standing in lines, using elevators or exploring the grounds of Grand Canyon West. Wherever a line may form, guests will find clearly marked floor measurements to ensure physical distancing.
- Restaurant tables, gift shops and other physical layouts have been arranged to ensure appropriate distancing.
What's open and closed?
Open
Closed
Mask requirements
Masks or protective face coverings are NOT required for all guests who have been fully vaccinated per the CDC guidelines May 2021.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo Nation Tribal Lands, and is therefore subject to Navajo Nation rules and restrictions.
What's open and closed?
Open
Closed
Mask requirements
The Navajo Reservation has a mask mandate – Everyone aged 2 years+ is required to wear a mask while on the Navajo Reservation, regardless of vaccination status. If you cannot or will not wear a mask, you are asked to visit at a later date when Navajo Nation does not have a mask mandate.
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and is therefore subject to NPS mask use recommendations and COVID-19 restrictions.
What's open and closed?
Open
Closed
Mask requirements
Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial/high transmission, park visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings and on all forms of public transportation.
Death Valley
Death Valley National Park is operated by the National Park Service, and is therefore subject to NPS mask use recommendations and COVID-19 restrictions.
What's open and closed?
Death Valley National Park is open with some restrictions in place.
Open
Closed
Mask requirements
Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial/high transmission, park visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings and on all forms of public transportation.
Other information
No reservation is required to visit Death Valley National Park. Park fees are paid upon arrival. Please note that only credit/debit payment is accepted. Passes can also be purchased online at recreation.gov.
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is operated by the Bureau of Land Management, and is therefore subject to federal mask use recommendations and COVID-19 restrictions.
What's open and closed?
Open
Closed
Mask requirements
Face masks are required for those NOT fully vaccinated on federally-administered lands where physical distancing cannot be maintained and in all BLM buildings and facilities.
Other information
- Scenic Drive reservations are still required on “Fee Free” days between 8 AM and 5 PM. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance daily starting at 7 AM. Some last minute reservations are available. Reservations are required for existing passholders. The cost to reserve includes a $15 day pass and $2 processing fee.
- Parking is only permitted in lots and not along the Scenic Drive. Gates will be closed if lots hit capacity.
Valley of Fire
All Nevada State Parks are open for day use, including the Valley of Fire.
What's open and closed?
Open
Closed
Mask requirements
In line with Emergency Directive 045 (signed and effective May 3, 2021), the State of Nevada is automatically adopting the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance related to mask requirements, effective Friday, July 30, 2021. This requirement is for all people, regardless of their vaccination status, to wear a mask in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission.
Other information
Group use areas require reservations until the end of 2021. Please contact the park directly to reserve a group area.
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is operated by the Department of Interior, and therefore follows federal COVID-19 restrictions and mask use recommendations.
What's open and closed?
Open
Closed
Mask requirements
Masks required for everyone inside the Visitor Center Building regardless of immunization status. Please maintain six (6) feet of social distance between groups.
Lake Mead
Lake Mead is operated by the National Park Service, and is therefore subject to NPS mask use recommendations and COVID-19 restrictions.
What's open and closed?
Open
Closed
Mask requirements
Yes. Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial/high transmission, park visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings and on all forms of public transportation.
State of Nevada
As of July 30, 2021 in Clark County:
- Per CDC recommendations, everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, must wear a mask in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission.
McCarran International Airport
The following restrictions apply at McCarran Airport:
- All travelers and employees are required to wear a face covering that covers the nose and mouth. Signs and overhead announcements serve as reminders of the governor’s mandate. Masks may be purchased in news and gift stores and from PPE vending machines. Free masks are available at Information Booths.
- Only ticketed travelers and employees can enter the terminals. Greet loved ones at Passenger Pickup, and say goodbye at the curb.
- Floor decals and signs will be displayed throughout the facilities to remind travelers to stay six feet apart. Overhead announcements will reinforce the message.
- Limit face-to-face interactions by checking in at home and using a mobile boarding pass.
- Travel with a carry-on only and be sure to pack hand sanitizer.
- Some dining and shopping are temporarily closed. Check online to see what’s open.
City of Las Vegas
All guests and residents of the city of Las Vegas must follow State of Nevada and Clark County restrictions and mask mandates.
As of July 30, 2021 in Clark County:
- Per CDC recommendations, everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, must wear a mask in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission.
Some Las Vegas venues, shows, and businesses are or will be requiring proof of double vaccination status or a negative COVID-19 test in the coming months. Check with individual establishments to confirm requirements.
