Brighty of the Grand Canyon

I was raised immersed in the Grand Canyon community, and many of the stories I heard growing up were tied to the canyon or carried its themes. Bedtime stories were often about river trips and adventures through the forest and desert. Many were made up on the spot by my parents and the guides who helped raise me. But some stories were written down, and my parents would read them to me over and over.

Of all the books about the Grand Canyon that I heard as a child, one in particular stuck with me—and to this day, it remains one of my favorites, with one of my most beloved characters: Brighty of the Grand Canyon.

I remember reading chapters from the book with my mom and dad before bed. We must have read it hundreds of times. Brighty the burro became one of my favorite characters. I was thrilled when, one day, my dad returned from a trip to the South Rim and brought me a stuffed burro wearing a black shirt that said “Grand Canyon” on it. I immediately named him Brighty and took him everywhere. 

Every burro I saw as a child, I believed was Brighty. And my parents—bless them—not wanting to ruin my joy, let me believe that yes, every burro I saw was, in fact, Brighty.

The Grand Canyon Lodge was home to a bronze statue of the beloved burro, his nose brightly polished by visitors rubbing it for luck before heading into the canyon. So when the lodge was recently lost in the Dragon Bravo Fire, I was heartbroken—not only for the loss of such a cherished place, but for the loss of the statue of my favorite childhood character.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Brighty in recent weeks. Usually, when I write these historical blogs, they focus on a person or place in the canyon’s history. But I think Brighty holds just as much significance as the people and places he was surrounded by. So today, I’d like to tell his story.

Brighty: From Fiction to Fact

Most people know Brighty through Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry. The book tells a fictional story of a burro and his many adventures and misadventures with the Grand Canyon and those he meets along the way. The book, published in 1953, was followed by a film adaptation in the late 1960s.

While the story is largely fictional, Brighty was a very real burro. His life intersected with many notable historical figures in the canyon, making him a symbol of the phrase “it’s a small world” and a reminder of how everything is connected. Here’s what we know about the real Brighty.

The Real Brighty

In 1889, Frank M. Brown led an exploratory expedition down the Colorado River to determine whether a railroad could be built at river level to connect Utah and northern Arizona—an obviously impossible task. Tragically, Brown drowned during the journey and is now remembered mostly as a cautionary tale by river guides reminding passengers to wear life jackets.

Brown’s wife, unaware of her husband’s likely fate, contacted a man named John Fuller, who lived on the North Rim, asking him to search for her husband. Knowing it was likely a fool’s errand, Fuller still agreed, setting out with his friend Harry Macdonald.

You’re probably wondering, “What does this have to do with a burro named Brighty?” Hold on—I’m getting there.

During their search, Fuller and Macdonald came across an abandoned camp. Standing beside a tent was none other than Brighty. At the time, many miners brought burros with them into the canyon, hoping they’d be useful for hauling treasure if they struck it rich. The camp appeared empty, and when the two men returned nearly a week later, it was still deserted—but Brighty remained. 

It’s unknown what happened to the miners who owned the camp, but we do know they were the ones who first brought Brighty to the Grand Canyon.

Brighty, completely healthy and content, eventually began to wander the area around Bright Angel Creek. As many canyon creatures do, he learned to spend winters deep within the canyon for warmth and summers up on the rim to escape the heat. This was the first appearance Brighty made and he would soon make himself a permanent fixture in the Grand Canyon.

Brighty Becomes a Legend

On the rim, Brighty met the McKee family, who ran the Wylie Way camp for tourists during the summer, and also Jim Owens, the game warden at the time. Brighty quickly became part of the rim’s small community. He bonded with the McKee children and sometimes let them ride him—but only when he wanted to.

Brighty had a strong will. If he wanted to help carry supplies into or out of the canyon, he would. If not, he’d rub against a tree until his packs came off and then wander away. He took breaks when he pleased, and if you rushed ahead of him on the trail, he’d eventually catch up—on his own time.

Everyone respected Brighty’s independence. He became known for his love of pancakes and would come running when he smelled them.

When he did want to help, he was invaluable. He helped haul water for the McKees and even carried supplies during the construction of the Kaibab Suspension Bridge. He made such an impression on the crew that when it came time for the bridge’s first official crossing, they gave that honor to Brighty.

Brighty was very sociable and would greet and spend time with visitors to the North Rim, meeting Brighty became just as much a part of the Grand Canyon experience as meeting tour guides and rangers at the park!

A Canyon Icon

Brighty was deeply loved during his lifetime and continues to be a beloved Grand Canyon icon today. He represents the spirit of the canyon—wild, resilient, and a little bit stubborn.

If you would like to read the book Brighty of the Grand Canyon you can get a copy here!