Grand Canyon National Park is halting all overnight accommodations on the South Rim starting Dec. 6, with closures to remain in effect "for the foreseeable future."
According to the National Park Service, the closures follow "a series of significant breaks" in the Transcanyon Waterline, the 12.5-mile pipeline that supplies water to the South Rim. Currently, no water is being pumped to the area.
Impacted lodging includes Xanterra Travel Collection's El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge and Maswik Lodge as well as Delaware North's Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. Accommodations in Tusayan, outside park boundaries, remain unaffected. Phantom Ranch, which is below the rim and can only be reached on foot or by mule, said it hopes to reopen on Dec. 8
The park remains open for day use with food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic and the post office continuing operations.
Additionally, only dry camping permitted at Mather Campground, with water spigot access limited to the campground's check-in kiosk. All wood-burning and charcoal fires -- including campfires, warming fires and charcoal barbecues -- are prohibited.
Ongoing updates are being made available via the Grand Canyon National Park Operations Update website.
Built in the 1960s, the Transcanyon Waterline has exceeded its expected lifespan and frequently fails. The park was forced to temporarily suspend South Rim lodging in August 2024.
A $208 million rehabilitation of the waterline is underway, with the multiyear project expected to be completed in 2027.