October is when the high country starts shutting its doors, and this week brings a wave of seasonal closures from Colorado to the Grand Canyon. Here’s what changed, what’s coming in the next two weeks, and what to do about it before you hitch up.
On the road
Yosemite’s Dome Fire nears 6,800 acres; Glacier Point Road still closed
The Dome Fire had grown to 6,826 acres by CAL FIRE’s latest Oct. 4 update, up from 6,736 acres in the park’s Oct. 4 morning report, with containment holding at 40% and 811 personnel assigned (CAL FIRE; NPS Yosemite). Containment has sat at 40% since about Sept. 30 while the fire keeps creeping outward (CAL FIRE).
The fire picked up on Oct. 3 in well-above-normal temperatures and dry air, with the biggest growth on the southeast side, where crews called in planes and helicopters (NPS Yosemite). Crews held spot fires on the northeast side, are cutting more hand line on the east side, are fighting the fire directly on the west side, and have wrapped the Ostrander ski hut in fire-resistant material (NPS Yosemite).
The park is open, with these exceptions (NPS Yosemite):
- Glacier Point Road is closed for smoke and firefighting. You can still hike to Glacier Point on the Four Mile and Panorama trails.
- Chilnualna Falls Trail is closed, along with the trails from the top of the falls toward Buena Vista and Crescent Lakes. The lakes are still reachable from the east.
- Ostrander Lake Trail and everything south of it is closed, east of Wawona Road between Wawona and Chinquapin.
- No campground closures are listed.
Expect mostly sunny, warm, dry weather Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 5 – 6), with highs in the 70s and humidity dipping to 20 – 30%, so more growth is likely (NPS Yosemite).
Why it matters: Campgrounds are open, but Glacier Point is hike-in only for now. Check the park’s daily fire update and the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map the morning you drive in, and keep an N95 and an indoor backup plan in the rig for smoky days.
Rocky Mountain’s Old Fall River Road closes to vehicles Oct. 6
Old Fall River Road closes to vehicles for the season on Oct. 6, and it is closed to all users Oct. 6 – 9 and Oct. 13 – 16 for work (Denver Post). Bikes, hikers and leashed pets can use it Oct. 10 – 12, and again from Oct. 17 for the winter (Denver Post). Separately, the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and parking area are closed again Oct. 5 – 8 for erosion repairs (NPS Rocky Mountain).
Why it matters: Plan the Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 10 – 12) as a walk-or-bike day on Old Fall River Road, and start Glacier Gorge hikes from Bear Lake this week.
Grand Canyon’s North Kaibab Trail closes Oct. 15 through about February
A hard closure on the North Kaibab Trail begins Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m. and runs through about February 2027, covering the stretch from Redwall Bridge to the north end of Cottonwood Campground (NPS Grand Canyon). Cottonwood Campground stays open from the south, but its potable water is shut off from Oct. 15 (NPS Grand Canyon).
Why it matters: Rim-to-rim hikers have about 10 days left this year. If you’re camping at Cottonwood after Oct. 15, pack a filter or treatment for creek water.
No shutdown this fall: parks are funded through Dec. 11
The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027, signed Sept. 2, funds federal agencies, including the National Park Service, through Dec. 11, 2026 (White House; Congressional Research Service).
Why it matters: October and November park trips are safe from a funding lapse. Put Dec. 11 on the calendar before you book anything for mid-December.
Gas eases a bit after a record September
The AAA national average was $4.41 on Oct. 1, down almost 7 cents on the week, after September set a record monthly average of $4.33 (AAA). By Oct. 5 it had slipped to about $4.37 (AAA Gas Prices), still the highest ever for this time of year (AAA).
Why it matters: Budget fuel at the current price, not last fall’s, and fill up before you leave metro areas where prices are lower.
Campgrounds in the works
Minnewaska’s Lake Awosting Carriage Road reopens
New York’s Minnewaska State Park Preserve has reopened the Lake Awosting Carriage Road after a $1.3 million, 17-month restoration of 2.6 miles, completing the loop around the lake (Mid-Hudson News; New York Almanack).
Why it matters: It’s a ready-made fall-color loop for Hudson Valley campers. Go on a weekday, since the preserve’s lots fill fast on October weekends.
West Virginia puts $19.7 million into state parks, including a new campground
West Virginia announced about $19.7 million in state park upgrades, including $3 million for a new 34-site campground at Little Beaver State Park and $4 million to pave campsites and driveways.
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