PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Hotels and lodges at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim are reopening to visitors after the national park paused overnight stays for more than a week due to multiple breaks in a water pipeline. The reopening begins Wednesday, allowing guests to stay at El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Yavapai Lodge, and Trailer Village. While some campground water spigots will remain off, fire restrictions at the South Rim will continue.
The park initially suspended overnight lodging earlier this month to repair the decades-old pipeline that supplies water to visitors, residents, and staff. Last December, around 41,000 visitors stayed overnight at the South Rim, the area where most tourists spend their time. This marks the second time the park has temporarily halted overnight stays to address issues with its primary water pipeline, which frequently experiences breaks. The 12.5-mile Transcanyon Waterline is currently undergoing a $208 million rehabilitation, including system upgrades that began in 2023. Officials continue to advise visitors and residents to conserve water by taking shorter showers, running only full laundry loads, turning off faucets while brushing teeth, and carrying or treating water for hikes.