Last updated: April 16, 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 April 16, 2021
| Attraction | Status | Masks Required? | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon National Park (South & North Rim) | Open with some exceptions | Yes, as per NPS recommendations | North Rim is closed until May 15 (usual seasonal closure) Most Desert View visitor facilities remain closed. Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles. South Rim Visitor Center and Theater, Park Headquarters Information Desk, and Backcountry Information Center (BIC) are all closed. All Interpretive Park Ranger programs are cancelled. Restrictions exist on both the Navajo and Havasupai reservations. |
| Grand Canyon West | Open with restrictions | Masks required except when eating and drinking. | |
| Antelope Canyon | Closed | Masks required for residents of Navajo Nation. No outside visitors are permitted at this time. | |
| Horseshoe Bend | Open with restrictions | Yes, as per NPS recommendations | No overnight camping along the Beehive/Ferry Swale road network Park Headquarters, Carl Hayden Visitor Center, tours of the Glen Canyon Dam, and Bullfrog Visitor Center are closed. |
| Death Valley | Open with some exceptions | Yes, as per NPS recommendations | Only accepting payment for day pass fee by debit credit card. |
| Hoover Dam | Open with limited access to most facilities | Yes, as per NPS recommendations | No tours or exhibits are open. |
| Lake Mead | Open with some restrictions | Yes, as per NPS recommendations | Park Store and Visitor Center are open but exhibits and film are closed, |
| Red Rock Canyon | Open with some exceptions | Yes, as per State of Nevada and Bureau of Land Management regulations | Reservations required for Scenic Drive. Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center is closed. |
| Valley of Fire | Open with some restrictions | Recommended but not required | Group use areas require reservations. |
| City of Las Vegas | Open with some exceptions and restrictions | Yes, as per State of Nevada regulations | 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 | Open with some exceptions and restrictions | Yes, inside and outside when around people not in your immediate household | 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 closed for the season until May 15.
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
Face masks are required on NPS-administered lands where physical distancing cannot be maintained, as well as inside all NPS buildings and facilities.
Individuals over the age of two years must wear face masks, except when actively eating or drinking in the following locations:
- All common areas and shared workspaces in buildings owned, rented or leased by the National Park Service, including, but not limited to: park visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops, and restaurants.
- The following outdoor areas, when others are present, where the superintendent has determined that physical distancing (staying at least six feet apart) cannot reasonably be maintained: Mather Point, Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza, all bus stops, Hopi Point, Greenway Trail from Verkamps to Bright Angel Trailhead, and all entrance stations.
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 required for all guests and employees.
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
Masks required for residents of Navajo Nation. No outside visitors are permitted at this time.
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
Face masks are required on NPS-administered lands where physical distancing cannot be maintained and in all NPS buildings and facilities.
Individuals over the age of two years must wear face masks, except when actively eating or drinking in all common areas and shared workspaces in buildings owned, rented or leased by the National Park Service, including, but not limited to: park visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops, and restaurants.
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
Face masks are required on NPS-administered lands where physical distancing cannot be maintained and in all NPS buildings and facilities.
Individuals over the age of two years must wear face masks, except when actively eating or drinking in all common areas and shared workspaces in buildings owned, rented or leased by the National Park Service, including, but not limited to: park visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops, and restaurants.
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 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
Masks are recommended in all visitor centers, museums, gift shops, and park offices, as well as outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
Masks are not required outdoors when social distancing is possible, or when you are interacting exclusively with members of your own household.
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
Face masks are required when visiting Department of Interior facilities and public lands, including outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
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
Face masks are required on NPS-administered lands where physical distancing cannot be maintained and in all NPS buildings and facilities.
Individuals over the age of two years must wear face masks, except when actively eating or drinking in all common areas and shared workspaces in buildings owned, rented or leased by the National Park Service, including, but not limited to: park visitor centers, administrative offices, lodges, gift shops, and restaurants.
State of Nevada
As COVID-19 cases decline, the State of Nevada has relaxed other restrictions starting March 15, 2021, including:
- Restaurants and bars may operate at 50 percent occupancy, with strict social distancing. No more than six patrons per table and masks must be worn unless actively eating or drinking. Reservations are no longer required.
- Casinos, gyms, museums and other attractions may operate at 50 percent capacity.
- Public gatherings will return to the pre-pause restriction of 250 people, or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less.
- Adult entertainment establishments remain closed until at least May 1).
Mask requirements
The State of Nevada issued a statewide mask mandate on March 27, 2020, requiring residents and tourists to wear masks in any public space, both indoors and out, if they are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance from people outside their household. The mask mandate remains in place as neighboring states loosen their mask requirements.
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 restrictions and mask mandates.
As of March 15, these Las Vegas establishments may open and operate at 50 percent capacity:
- Libraries, museums, art galleries, aquariums, and zoos
- All interactive and/or hands-on exhibits must be closed. High-touch surfaces should be avoided and cleaned frequently.
- Food and drink should be contained to areas designated as restaurants/food courts and should adhere to requirements in place for those types of establishments.
- Places of worship
- Retail stores and indoor malls.
- Retail stores, including grocery stores, may offer limited self service food and drinks with mitigation measures in place.
- Medicinal and recreational cannabis establishments.
- Community/recreational centers, including public pools
- Indoor food and beverage establishments, including restaurants, bars, pubs, wineries, distilleries and breweries.
- Gyms, fitness studios, yoga studios, dance studios, martial arts studios and similar establishments
- Gaming floors
Mask requirements
The State of Nevada issued a statewide mask mandate on March 27, 2020, requiring residents and tourists in Las Vegas and across the state to wear masks in any public space, both indoors and out, if they are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance from people outside their household. The mask mandate remains in place as neighboring states loosen their mask requirements.