Grand Canyon National Park is set to welcome visitors back to its South Rim hotels starting Thursday, September 5, following the successful repair of the park’s critical Transcanyon Waterline. The park will also shift to Stage 3 water restrictions, a significant step toward resuming normal operations while ensuring sustainable water management.
The park’s water utility teams have been hard at work, completing intricate repairs to the 12½-mile Transcanyon Waterline, which has experienced four major breaks since July 8. These breaks had temporarily halted water supply to both the South and North Rims, leading to a rapid decline in the park’s water reserves. With the recent repairs, water pumping has resumed without any new issues, though the park will remain under Stage 3 water restrictions until water storage levels are fully restored.
Hotels on the South Rim, including well-known lodges like El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Phantom Ranch, operated by Xanterra, as well as Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village, will reopen for overnight stays. Reservations are now open, allowing visitors to once again experience the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon from these historic accommodations.
For those who prefer camping, dry camping will continue to be allowed, though water spigots at Mather Campground and Desert View Campground will remain off. Campers can still access water at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk. Fire restrictions will also stay in place, prohibiting wood-burning, charcoal fires, and campfires in the South Rim and inner canyon areas to support ongoing water conservation efforts.
Visitors and residents are encouraged to continue practicing water-saving measures, such as limiting showers to five minutes or less, turning off faucets while brushing teeth, and reporting leaks to park authorities. These efforts are vital as the park works toward full recovery of its water supply.
The Transcanyon Waterline, originally constructed in the 1960s, has far exceeded its expected lifespan and has been prone to frequent and costly failures. The National Park Service has initiated a multi-year, $208 million project to rehabilitate the waterline and upgrade the associated water delivery system, with completion expected in 2027. This project, along with the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) funding for the South Rim Wastewater Treatment Plant and North Rim water delivery improvements, represents a significant investment in the park’s infrastructure.
The GAOA has provided over $100 million to support these critical projects, ensuring that the Grand Canyon can continue to meet the water needs of its millions of visitors and year-round residents for years to come. The National Park Service’s ability to tackle these large-scale infrastructure challenges has been greatly enhanced by the GAOA Legacy Restoration Fund, which provides up to $1.3 billion annually from 2021 to 2025 for essential maintenance and repairs in national parks.
As the Grand Canyon National Park continues its journey toward full recovery, the cooperation and patience of visitors and the local community have been invaluable. The reopening of South Rim hotels and the transition to Stage 3 water restrictions mark a positive step forward, ensuring that the park remains a cherished destination for all who visit.
