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.”
In a recent announcement, the National Park Service revealed that the temporary closure of lodging facilities on the South Rim is due to “a series of significant breaks” in the Transcanyon Waterline. This vital 12.5-mile pipeline supplies water to the South Rim area, and currently, no water is being pumped.
Adversely affected accommodations include popular options such as El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, and Maswik Lodge managed by Xanterra Travel Collection, along with Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village managed by Delaware North. However, accommodations in Tusayan, just outside the park boundaries, remain unaffected. Meanwhile, Phantom Ranch, located below the rim and accessible only on foot or by mule, is aiming to reopen its services on Dec. 8.
The park continues to welcome visitors for day use, maintaining operations for food and beverage services, along with the Grand Canyon Clinic and the post office. For those interested in camping, only dry camping is permitted at Mather Campground, where water spigots are limited to the campground’s check-in kiosk. It’s important to note that all wood-burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbecues, are currently prohibited due to safety concerns.
For the most current updates, visitors can refer to the Grand Canyon National Park Operations Update page.
Initially built in the 1960s, the Transcanyon Waterline has surpassed its anticipated lifespan and has been prone to frequent failures. This isn’t the first time South Rim lodging has been impacted; similar closures were enforced in August 2024. To address these long-standing issues, a $208 million rehabilitation project for the waterline is currently in progress, with expectations for completion by 2027.
