Grand Canyon to reopen hotels on the South Rim after water pipeline repair

After more than a week of disruption, Grand Canyon National Park announced Monday that overnight accommodations at the South Rim will reopen, bringing relief to visitors and businesses alike.

Starting Wednesday, tourists will once again be able to stay overnight at several popular lodgings, including El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge, and Trailer Village. The decision comes after multiple breaks in a critical water pipeline forced park officials to suspend overnight stays earlier this month.

While accommodations are reopening, some restrictions remain in place. Certain campground water spigots will stay turned off, and fire restrictions at the South Rim will continue as a precautionary measure. Park officials are still encouraging water conservation efforts from all visitors and residents.

The pipeline issues have highlighted the aging infrastructure challenges facing one of America’s most visited national parks. The Transcanyon Waterline, which spans 12.5 miles (20 kilometers), has become increasingly prone to breaks due to its age and the harsh desert conditions. Built decades ago, the pipeline is the primary water source for the millions of visitors, residents, and staff at the South Rim, which serves as the main tourist hub of the Grand Canyon.

This marks the second time in recent months that the park has had to halt overnight stays due to pipeline problems. Last August, during peak tourist season, officials took what they described as “unprecedented action” by imposing strict water restrictions that led to the sudden closure of overnight accommodations. That disruption came during one of the busiest periods for the park, causing significant inconvenience for travelers and economic impact for businesses dependent on tourism.

The South Rim receives the vast majority of Grand Canyon visitors, with approximately 41,000 people using overnight lodging facilities last December alone. The sudden closures have affected both casual tourists and those who plan Grand Canyon trips months or even years in advance.

Recognizing the severity of the infrastructure problem, the National Park Service initiated a comprehensive $208 million rehabilitation project in 2023 to upgrade the waterline and its associated delivery system. The project aims to modernize the critical infrastructure and reduce the frequency of disruptions that have become increasingly common in recent years.

Despite the reopening of accommodations, park officials are maintaining their call for water conservation. Visitors and residents are being asked to take shorter showers, wash only full loads of laundry, and turn off faucets when brushing teeth. Hikers venturing into the canyon are advised to bring their own water supplies or treat water if needed, as certain facilities may still have limited service.

The water challenges at Grand Canyon National Park reflect broader infrastructure issues facing many of America’s national parks, many of which are operating with systems built in the mid-20th century that were not designed to handle today’s visitor volumes. The National Park Service has identified billions in deferred maintenance across the entire park system.

For the Grand Canyon, which attracts approximately six million visitors annually and serves as a crucial economic engine for northern Arizona, reliable infrastructure is essential. Tourism experts note that disruptions like the recent water pipeline issues not only impact visitor experiences but also affect the livelihoods of thousands who depend on park visitation for their income.

As overnight stays resume, park officials remain vigilant, monitoring the fragile water system while the larger rehabilitation project continues. For now, visitors can once again experience the majesty of the Grand Canyon with overnight stays, albeit with a greater awareness of the precious resource that makes such visits possible in this remarkable desert landscape.