This Is Not the First Time the Grand Canyon Lodge Has Burned
Today the nation lost an iconic and historic building. The Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim was consumed by flames, but this tragedy echoes a chapter from nearly a century ago.
A History Marked by Fire
Not my image. This was taken from the internet.
The original lodge opened in 1928 and quickly became a symbol of rustic elegance amid the pines. Four years later, in 1932, a fire reduced it to ashes.
Rebuilt in 1937, the structure that stood until today carried forward the legacy of stone foundations, lodgepole pine beams, and the sweeping canyon vistas that made it legendary.
1928: Original Grand Canyon Lodge opens
1932: First lodge destroyed by fire
1937: Rebuilt lodge welcomes guests
2025: Dragon Bravo Fire claims the lodge again
Not my image. This was taken from the internet.
Memories of a Bygone Era
Walking through the halls felt like stepping back in time—before the internet, before the rush of modern life. I still remember:
Sitting on the patio as the Milky Way rose over the canyon rim
Gathering with family in the sun room for a friendly card game
Strolling among the cabins at dusk, breathing in the pine-scented air
Longtime viewers of my channel might recall the episode I filmed during a stay here. You can watch it again here: https://youtu.be/kyOsjppfpCA
Looking Ahead with Hope
Rebuilding will not happen overnight. After the first fire, it took five years before the lodge reopened its doors. I believe the National Park Service will once again honor the tradition of rustic elegance—because the North Rim deserves nothing less.
Beyond the lodge itself, the visitor center, campground, and water treatment facility were also lost. Restoration will require careful planning, funding, and a commitment to preserving this remote wilderness outpost.
Learn More
For a deeper dive into the lodge’s storied past, visit the National Park Service’s history page:
Grand Canyon Lodge History : Grand Canyon Lodge History (U.S. National Park Service)