Grand Canyon National Park, often considered one of the “Wonders of the World,” was officially declared a national park on February 26, 1919. (File photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Arizona. – After a series of breaks in the main pipeline that supplies the popular tourist destination, visitors to Grand Canyon National Park can no longer stay in hotels.
The restrictions will apply throughout the Labor Day holiday, when hotels are near or at full capacity, Grand Canyon spokeswoman Joelle Baird said Aug. 28.
The 12.5-mile-long Transcanyon Water Pipeline delivers water from the canyon for use in the park, and there have already been four significant breaks, according to park officials.
As of Thursday, August 29, overnight accommodation will be discontinued in all park concessions.
“These include Xanterra-operated hotel properties such as El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge and Phantom Ranch, as well as Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village in Delaware North,” park officials said.
Hotels outside the park in the city of Tusayan are not affected.
Information about South Rim
- Dry camping: Only dry camping is permitted. Water faucets will be turned off at South Rim campgrounds, but bathroom faucets will remain operational. Water faucet access is available at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk.
- Fires are not allowed on the South Rim or in the inner canyon area. Fire bans prohibit the burning of wood and charcoal, including campfires, thermal fires, and charcoal grills. For more information on fire bans, visit the park’s fire information webpage.
The park will remain open during the day, and the Grand Canyon Lodge and other visitor services on the North Rim will also remain open.
According to officials, the park has been experiencing water supply problems since July 8 and water is currently not being pumped to either the south or north rim of the canyon.
Park management hopes to fully resume operations for overnight guests at the South Rim as soon as possible.
The Transcanyon Waterline, originally built in the 1960s, supplies drinking water to facilities on the South Rim and in the inner canyon. Park officials said the water line has exceeded its expected lifespan and is experiencing frequent failures. Since 2010, there have been more than 85 major breaks, each of which has cut off water supplies.
The National Park Service recently began a $208 million renovation of the aqueduct and modernization of the associated water supply system, which is expected to be completed in 2027.
The park aims to meet the water needs of six million annual visitors and about 2,500 year-round residents, officials said.
Map of the area
