11 Rescue, 2 Hospitalized After Flash Flood Hits Utah National Park
Two people were hospitalized Monday after severe flooding and thunderstorms swept through Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
According to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, serious flooding struck the park between approximately 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Monday. Severe lightning in the area delayed the response of Garfield County deputies, Bryce Canyon park rangers and Garfield County EMS.
Once conditions allowed rescuers to enter the canyon, they located four groups of adults stranded on separate trails: Fairyland, Navajo Loop, Peekaboo and Queens Garden.
Rescuers ultimately helped 11 adults out of the canyon. Two were transported to a local hospital after experiencing symptoms of hypothermia. The remaining nine people were evaluated by medical personnel at the scene and released.
Highway 12 was temporarily closed during the rescue operation because of the severe weather and flooding. The highway has since reopened.
Hiking Safe During Monsoon Season
As August and September bring monsoon conditions to the Southwest, the National Park Service encourages visitors to stay alert. Rapid weather shifts — from clear mornings to intense afternoon thunderstorms — can reshape the landscape and introduce serious hazards, including flash floods, debris-laden waterfalls, trail washouts, and periodic rockfall. The NPS urges all visitors to remain informed, monitor weather forecasts, and be prepared for sudden changes.
The park offers a variety of free, weather-independent programs, including ranger talks, evening programs, and Junior Ranger activities, that allow visitors to continue enjoying the park even when storms move in. Visitors are responsible for their own safety and should check forecasts and flash-flood potential before entering any canyon.
To support a safe and enjoyable experience, the National Park Service encourages visitors to stay informed, remain aware of changing conditions, and adapt plans as needed.
Stay Informed
• Check the National Weather Service forecast for Bryce Canyon before you begin your trip.
• Review Bryce Canyon National Park’s current conditions and alerts.
• Prepare your group by learning more about how to stay safe in Bryce Canyon.
Be Alert
• Weather in the park can shift quickly. Stay aware of changing conditions both near and upstream from your location.
• Flash floods are a serious hazard. Monitor National Weather Service flash flood watches and warnings, and follow all closures. Never enter flooded areas or bypass closures.
• Rainstorms may produce, trail washouts, waterfalls, and debris flows; rockfall is a natural part of the canyon’s geologic evolution. Enjoy these features from a safe distance.
Adapt Plans to Support a Safe Visit
• Build flexibility into your itinerary and prepare fun alternative activities in Bryce Canyon.
• Bryce Canyon offers many options during changing weather—explore the Visitor Center Museum, enjoy Ranger programs, or take part in the Junior Ranger experience.
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