Grand Canyon reopens South Rim hotels after water-line is repaired
Hotels will reopen Wednesday on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park after the park halted lodging for more than a week due to broken water pipes, the park announced Monday.
The park will resume overnight stays at Delaware North’s El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. Some campground hoses will remain closed and fire restrictions on the South Shore will remain in effect.
The park first took steps to save water earlier this month by suspending overnight stays after breaks. A large majority of Grand Canyon visitors spend their time on the South Rim, and more than 41,000 people spent the night in the park last December, even though the winter season is sleepier.
This is the second time the park has taken such a step, although the pipeline has suffered frequent breakdowns over the years. Last August, park officials took unprecedented action and imposed water restrictions that forced the sudden closure of overnight hotel stays during one of the busiest times of the year.
Maintaining the 12-mile-long Transcanyon Waterline, the primary source of water for residents. staff and tourists, has long been a priority for the park. A $208 million pipeline rehabilitation and associated water distribution system improvements, begun in 2023, are expected to be completed in 2027.
Park officials encourage visitors and residents to continue taking conservation measures, such as shortening showers, washing full loads of laundry and turning off the faucet when brushing teeth. Hikers should bring or treat water if necessary, the park said.
