Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) will reopen South Rim hotels beginning Wednesday, Dec. 17, following repairs to the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water throughout the park.
The reopening comes as the park eases some water restrictions while maintaining ongoing conservation measures.
According to a press release, Grand Canyon National Park temporarily suspended overnight hotel accommodations on Dec. 6 after the 12½-mile Transcanyon Waterline experienced multiple significant breaks. The waterline provides potable water from the canyon to facilities on the South Rim and in the inner canyon.
Since late October, the waterline has had three significant breaks, prompting repairs and operational adjustments to preserve water resources for visitors and year-round residents.
Park water utility crews completed complex repairs and resumed pumping water without identifying any new breaks. The repairs are a key step toward resuming hotel operations at the South Rim.
Overnight accommodations will resume Dec. 17 at lodges operated by Xanterra, including El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, and Maswik Lodge. Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village also will reopen, with reservations now available for these locations.
Dry camping also remains permitted at South Rim campgrounds. Water spigots at Mather Campground and Desert View Campground will remain turned off, but visitors may access water at the dump station adjacent to the Mather Campground Kiosk.
Fire restrictions remain in place for the South Rim and inner canyon areas. All outdoor wood burning, charcoal fires, and campfires continue to be prohibited to support water conservation efforts.
Visitors and residents are encouraged to continue practicing water conservation, including limiting showers to five minutes or less.
Following the waterline repairs, potable water is now available at Phantom Ranch. Hikers should still bring or treat water if necessary and check current conditions on the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates page.
The Transcanyon Waterline, originally built in the late 1960s, has exceeded its expected lifespan and experiences frequent failures that require ongoing maintenance.
These failures have required temporary suspension of overnight accommodations and costly, continuous repairs to maintain water supply throughout the park.
In 2023, the National Park Service (NPS) began construction on a multi-year, $208 million project to rehabilitate the Transcanyon Waterline and upgrade the associated water delivery system.