The Grand Canyon National Park is temporarily suspending overnight hotel stays on the South Rim due to water line issues.
Beginning Saturday, overnight lodging will be halted, the National Park Service said in a news release on Tuesday. The park will remain open to visitors, but it's unclear when overnight accommodations will resume.
A series of "significant breaks" in the 12.5-mile-long Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon to the park, resulted in the closures, according to the news release. Since mid-November, the park has been experiencing challenges with its water supply, it added.
Currently, no water is being pumped to the South Rim, the parks agency said.
The Grand Canyon National Park is also banning all outdoor wood burning, including campfires and charcoal barbecues. Only dry camping will be allowed, but faucets in bathrooms will remain operational.
Affected hotels and facilities include El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge, and the Trailer Village RV park.
The park said travelers can book overnight lodging in the town of Tusayan. The National Park Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
The waterline, built in the 1960s, provides potable water for facilities on the South Rim and inner canyon. The National Park Service said it has exceeded its expected lifespan and experiences frequent failures that require costly maintenance work.
In 2023, a multiyear $208 million rehabilitation of the waterline began. It’s expected to be completed in 2027.
The National Park Service said then that the investment in would "ensure the park is able to meet water supply needs for five million annual visitors and approximately 2,500 year-round residents."
Residents are being asked to help conserve water by limiting showers, flushing toilets selectively and reporting any leaks. Backcountry hikers are advised to make sure they have all necessary water or methods to treat water.
"These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources," the National Park Service said. "The goal is to restore full operational status for overnight guests on the South Rim as quickly as possible."
