One still missing following deadly flooding at Grand Canyon National Park as monsoon storms linger
82 others were rescued, some by helicopter from the Bright Angel Creek area, and the Phantom Ranch and Cottonwood campgrounds.
Monsoon storms linger over Grand Canyon National Park as 1 still missing after deadly weekend flooding
First responders are searching for one person still missing after monsoon storms triggered flash flooding in the Grand Canyon that left two people dead over the weekend. FOX Weather Senior Correspondent Robert Ray has the latest.
THE TAKEAWAY
- A search continues for a missing person after two people were killed during intense weekend flooding in the Grand Canyon.
- A Level 1 out 4 flash flood risk is in effect for parts of the Four Corners through Tuesday.
- Flooding began in the Bright Angel Creek area Saturday beneath the North Rim, near the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire burn scar.
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Arizona — First responders are searching for one person still missing after monsoon storms triggered flash flooding in the Grand Canyon that left two people dead over the weekend.
Park officials confirmed late Monday that two bodies have been recovered, and one person remains unaccounted for, while 82 others were rescued, some by helicopter from the Bright Angel Creek area, and the Phantom Ranch and Cottonwood campgrounds.
11 RESCUED AFTER FLASH FLOODING SWEEPS BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK IN UTAH
The hikers have been identified as 46-year-old John Guisti and 42-year-old Brent Rosenkranz, both of Granbury, Texas. One member of the hiking group remains missing.
Grand Canyon National Park on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.
(FOX Weather Senior Correspondent Robert Ray / FOX Weather)
Officials said flooding began Saturday in the Bright Angel Canyon around 2:30 p.m., and the National Park Service had to evacuate 62 individuals by air from the Phantom Ranch camping area and the lower North Kaibab Trail.
The National Park Service is still asking any families who have not heard from loved ones who were hiking or backpacking in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday to contact investigators.
Officials said more people were evacuated Sunday morning from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch amid the "significant" flash flood event.
Remnants of stone bridge pylons remain along Bright Angel Creek following a flash flood that destroyed the footbridge on August 29. The flooding caused significant damage to infrastructure throughout the canyon.
(NPS / FOX Weather)
Closures in effect due to significant damage
Officials said Phantom Ranch, the entire North Kaibab Trail and the Silver and Black Bridges are closed until further notice.
The North Kaibab Trail is a strenuous 14-mile one-way trail that descends 5,800 feet from the park's North Rim to the Colorado River.
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Flash flooding slams Grand Canyon National Park on Aug. 29, 2026.
(Igor Barash / FOX Weather)
"The flash flood resulted in significant impacts to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon. Nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, eliminating hiker access across the creek. Grand Canyon National Park staff are continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure," the National Park Service said in a press release.
Reports from the National Weather Service indicate a metal building was washed into the Colorado River and many bridges at Phantom Ranch were also washed out.
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The flooding caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the inner canyon, including the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon for use in the park.
The National Park Service said the waterline is currently not operational, and Stage 4 water restrictions went into effect along the South Rim on Monday.
Coconino Overlook Looking down on the North Kaibab Trail - North Rim Grand Canyon
(Craig Zerbe / Getty Images)
Authorities said the Colorado River is currently closed to river traffic until further notice due to metal structures and debris entering the river. People already in the canyon are receiving direction through river operations rangers and the Grand Canyon River Alert system to get to safety, according to the National Park Service.
The National Park Service said evacuees were taken to the Maswik Lodge Cafeteria on the South Rim, where the American Red Cross is coordinating assistance.
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As of Monday, all park concessions halted overnight accommodations, and only dry camping will be permitted. Click here for the latest.
What happened?
The FOX Forecast Center said that while rain totals only reached 1 to 1.75 inches for the hardest-hit areas, that was enough to cause significant issues in part of the park.
Another campground reported one foot of standing water, and several trails were flooded and remain impassible. Gauges along the Colorado River spiked by as much as 9 feet as the rain began to flow through the canyon.
(FOX Weather)
Officials said flooding began in the Bright Angel Creek area Saturday beneath the North Rim.
This is near the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire burn scar.
SOUTHWEST MONSOON SEASON UNDERWAY AMID DRAMATIC ATMOSPHERIC FLIP FROM HEAT TO FLASH FLOODING
An official from the NPS said that water gauges that were placed after the 2025 fire were one of the first indicators that alerted officials to rapidly rising waters. Those gauges went offline shortly after they first detected floodwater, the official said.
The event highlights just how quickly heavy monsoon rain can become dangerous across the region's steep terrain, dry washes and narrow canyons, the FOX Forecast Center said.
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What comes next
The National Park Service said visitors with upcoming river trips should contact their commercial outfitter or NPS River Permits for specific information about their trip.
Xanterra — which is the largest national park concessions management company in the U.S. — will be in touch with guests that have future Phantom Ranch reservations about the status of their reservations, according to park officials.
The Bright Angel trail goes from the South Rim all the way down to the Colorado River
((c) Salil Bhatt)
Officials said anyone with information should contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) at 888-653-0009 or by filling out this form.
The storms come during the Southwest monsoon season, which typically runs from late June to September.
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(FOX Weather)
The flood threat is expected to begin to ease Tuesday as the monsoon pattern starts to weaken.
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"A modest risk for downpours will linger across much of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado," the FOX Forecast Center said.
A Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk covers the region through Tuesday, including the Grand Canyon.
(FOX Weather)
The park remains open for day use, but some operations may have reduced hours.