Historic Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery Has Closed

After nearly 100 years since its opening, Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery has closed to new burials due to lack of space. Although the cemetery is closed to new plots, some burials may continue for individuals with a spouse or immediate family already interred in the cemetery.

Anyone who believes they have a reservation for burial at Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery should contact the park's permitting office at 928-638-7707 or email a copy of the reservation to grca_permits_mail@nps.gov as soon as possible.

An important part of park history that will continue to be protected and preserved into the future, the cemetery will remain open to public visitation.

First used before the establishment of the national park but not formally dedicated until 1928, the cemetery serves as a resting place for many early Grand Canyon families and pioneers. The cemetery-part of the Grand Canyon Village National Historic District-has more than 390 individual graves, several of which date back to before the establishment of the park and the dedication of the cemetery.

For more information about the history of Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/shrine-of-the-ages.htm. To view recent and historic images of the cemetery visit our Flickr site.