Grand Canyon Hotels Temporarily Closed Due to Water Pipeline Breaks

Several hotels in Grand Canyon National Park were forced to close and turn away guests ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend due to significant breaks in the aging Transcanyon Waterline that supplies water to the area.

• The El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch, Yavapai Lodge, and Trailer Village RV Park were all forced to shut down operations temporarily.
• Hotels outside the park in nearby Tusayan remained operational.

Camping Allowed with Limited Water Access

While camping is still permitted within the park, water access will be limited due to the pipeline breaks.

• Faucets in campground bathrooms will remain operational.
• Water spigots at campgrounds on the South Rim will be turned off.

Fire Restrictions in Place

As a result of the water shortage, strict fire restrictions have been imposed on the South Rim and inner canyon areas.

• All wood burning, charcoal fires, campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbecues are prohibited.

Aging Transcanyon Waterline Infrastructure

The Transcanyon Waterline, built in the 1960s, has exceeded its expected lifespan and experiences frequent failures.

• There have been 85 major breaks in the pipeline since 2010.
• The National Park Service recently started a multi-year, $208 million rehabilitation project for the Transcanyon Waterline.

Impact on Grand Canyon National Park

The temporary closure of hotels and water shortage has disrupted operations and visitor experiences at one of the country's most popular national parks.

• The Grand Canyon National Park attracts millions of visitors annually.
• The water pipeline breaks have forced hotels to turn away guests during the busy Labor Day weekend.
• Camping and fire restrictions have been implemented to conserve water resources.

National Park Service's Efforts to Address Infrastructure Challenges

The National Park Service acknowledges the need to address the aging infrastructure in Grand Canyon National Park.

• The $208 million rehabilitation project aims to improve the water supply system and prevent future disruptions.
• The project highlights the ongoing challenges faced by national parks in maintaining critical infrastructure.