The Grand Canyon National Park will enforce Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim starting the afternoon of Thursday, August 29, following a series of four significant breaks in the 12½ mile-long Transcanyon Waterline. This waterline, crucial for supplying water to the park, has been compromised since July 8, leaving both the South and North Rims without a reliable water supply.
In response, the following restrictions will be in effect on the South Rim until further notice:
- Overnight Guest Lodging: Starting Thursday, August 29, all park concessions will cease offering overnight accommodations. This includes hotels operated by Xanterra, such as El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Phantom Ranch, as well as Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. Lodging outside the park in Tusayan remains unaffected.
- Dry Camping: Only dry camping will be allowed, with spigot access at South Rim campgrounds turned off, except for faucets in bathrooms. Water spigots will still be available at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk.
- Fire Restrictions: No fires will be allowed on the South Rim and inner canyon areas. All wood-burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques, are prohibited. For more information, visit the park’s Fire Information webpage.
- Operational Services: The park will remain open for day use, and services such as food and beverage outlets, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and the Post Office will continue operations. North Rim visitor services, including the Grand Canyon Lodge and Campground, will also stay open.
These measures are vital to preserving the park’s water resources and ensuring the safety of all visitors and residents. The National Park Service aims to restore full operations for overnight guests on the South Rim as soon as conditions allow.
Conservation measures already in place on both the North and South Rims continue to be enforced. Visitors and residents are urged to conserve water by limiting showers, turning off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, flushing toilets selectively, washing only full loads of laundry, and promptly reporting any leaks.
Backcountry hikers must carry all necessary water or have methods to treat available water. For the latest updates on water availability in the backcountry, visit the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates webpage.
The Transcanyon Waterline, built in the 1960s, is essential for delivering potable water to facilities on the South Rim and inner canyon. The aging waterline, which has surpassed its expected lifespan, frequently suffers from failures requiring costly and continuous repairs. Since 2010, over 85 major breaks have disrupted water delivery. The National Park Service has initiated a multi-year, $208 million project to rehabilitate the waterline and upgrade the associated water delivery system. This investment will ensure the park meets the water supply needs for its six million annual visitors and 2,500 year-round residents. The project is slated for completion in 2027.
Additionally, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) is contributing more than $40 million towards replacing the South Rim Wastewater Treatment Plant, which services visitor, staff, lodging, and support facilities. GAOA funding is part of the National Park Service’s broader initiative to address deferred maintenance and repair needs across national parks.
