GRAND CANYON JUNCTION, Ariz. — Multiple hotel options inside the Grand Canyon will be closed starting Thursday after significant breaks in the waterline.
The Grand Canyon National Park is implementing Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim starting Aug. 29 because of four significant breaks in the 12 1/2 mile-long Transcanyon Waterline that supplies water from the canyon for use in the park.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Hoteles y alojamientos en el Gran Cañón permanecerán cerrados hasta nuevo aviso
According to a news release, the park has faced challenges with water supply since July 8, and currently, no water is being pumped to either the South or North Rim.
Hotel facilities operated by Xanterra, such as El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Phantom Ranch, as well as Delaware North's Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village, are all stopping overnight accommodations.
Overnight hotel accommodations located outside the park in Tsayan are not impacted.
Only dry camping is permitted and no fires will be allowed on the South Rim and in the inner canyon areas.
The park will remain open for daily use, meaning all South Rim food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and the Post Office will be open. The North Rim's Grand Canyon Lodge and other North Rim visitor services such as the campground will also remain open.
"These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources," the news release said. "The goal is to restore full operational status for overnight guests on the South Rim as quickly as possible."
GCNP is asking residents and visitors to help conserve water by limiting showers to five minutes or less, turning off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, flushing toilets selectively, washing laundry with full loads, and reporting leaks to the appropriate offices.
Hikers in the backcountry must carry all necessary water or methods to treat water, GCNP said.
Originally built in the 1960s, the Transcanyon Waterline provides potable water for facilities on the South Rim and inner canyon. The waterline has exceeded its expected lifespan and experiences frequent failures, which require expensive and continuous maintenance work to repair leaks.
Since 2010, there have been over 85 major breaks that have disrupted water delivery, GCNP said. The National Park Service recently started construction on a multi-year, $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline and upgrades to the associated water delivery system.
The project is expected to be completed in 2027. The Great American Outdoors Act is providing more than $40 million to replace the South Rim Wastewater Treatment Plant which services visitors, staff, lodging, and support facilities.
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