Grand Canyon National Park is halting overnight hotel stays and imposing fire restrictions after “significant breaks” in the Transcanyon Waterline cut off the water supply to the park.
The National Park Service said that the park has faced “challenges” with water supply since July 8. A series of four breaks in the 12.5-mile long Transcanyon Waterline has resulted in no water being pumped from the canyon to either the North Rim or the South Rim.
Beginning Thursday, Aug. 29, all overnight guest lodging within the park will be halted. Hotel facilities including Xanterra’s El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Phantom Ranch, as well as Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village will be closed to overnight guests. Hotel facilities outside the park in the town of Tusayan will not be impacted, park officials said.
Within the park, only dry camping will be allowed, with water spigots shut off at campgrounds on the South Rim. Faucets in bathrooms will remain operational, however, and water spigot access will be available at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk.
No fires will be allowed on the South Rim or inner canyon areas. All wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbecues are prohibited.
Backcountry hikers will be required to carry all necessary water or water treatment methods.
The park will remain open for day use, and South Rim food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and the post office will remain open.
On the North Rim, the Grand Canyon Lodge and visitor services including the campground will remain open.
“These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources. The goal is to restore full operational status for overnight guests on the South Rim as quickly as possible,” park officials said.
The park is asking guests to 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 any leaks to the relevant offices.
The National Park Service said the Transcanyon Waterline, which was originally built in the 1960s, “has exceeded its expected lifespan and experiences frequent failures, which require expensive and continuous maintenance work to repair leaks.”
There have been over 85 “major” breaks since 2010, disrupting water delivery to approximately 2,500 year-round residents along with the park’s 6 million annual visitors.
NPS recently began a $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline, which is expected to completed in 2027.