Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim will need to secure lodging outside the park starting Saturday, after multiple breaks in the main waterline left the area without running water.
Park officials said Tuesday that the 12.5-mile Transcanyon Waterline, which was built in the 1960s and has exceeded its lifespan, is not currently pumping water to the South Rim. The pipeline has faced recurring issues this year, forcing several water restrictions and temporary hotel closures, including over Labor Day weekend. Dry camping will be required while repairs are underway, and no fires are permitted in the South Rim or inner canyon areas to preserve safety.
“These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources. Our goal is to restore full operations for overnight guests as quickly as possible,” the park said.
Meanwhile, the North Rim remains largely closed following the Dragon Bravo Fire, which burned for three months beginning July 4 and destroyed or damaged nearly half of all structures there. Although a partial reopening occurred on Oct. 1, the North Rim closed early for the season on Nov. 14 and will remain closed to the public until at least May 15, 2026. Park officials warned that fire-damaged trees, unstable ground, and debris continue to create significant hazards along trails and roads, including the North Kaibab Trail.
A National Park Service project to rehabilitate the Transcanyon Waterline began in 2023 and is expected to continue through 2027. Officials have not provided a timeline for when South Rim overnight accommodations will reopen.