Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona announced on Wednesday that it would temporarily suspend overnight hotel stays on the South Rim starting Thursday afternoon, just ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend. This decision follows a series of recent breaks in the park’s waterline.
The park also implemented strict water restrictions on the South Rim after four significant breaks in the 12.5-mile-long Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon for use throughout the park.
The park has been grappling with water supply issues since July 8, according to the National Park Service, which noted that “currently, no water is being pumped to either the South or North Rim.”
The duration of the closure remains uncertain. Joelle Baird, a spokeswoman for the park, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
“The goal is to restore full operational status for overnight guests on the South Rim as quickly as possible,” the Park Service said in a statement.
However, Xanterra, the company that operates hotels within the park, stated on its website that no overnight guests would be allowed to stay inside the park from August 29 through September 4.
The closure, which comes during the peak of the park’s summer season, affects overnight accommodations such as hotels and campsites within the park. Hotels in the nearby town of Tusayan will not be impacted.
The affected accommodations include Xanterra’s El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Phantom Ranch, as well as Yavapai Lodge, located about half a mile from the South Rim, and Trailer Village, an RV park.
According to the Park Service, there are just over 900 lodging units on the South Rim.
Visitors will be permitted to engage in “dry camping,” but there will be no spigot access at campgrounds. Bathroom faucets will remain operational, the Park Service said.
Additionally, campfires, including warming fires and charcoal barbecues, will be prohibited.
On the North Rim, which is less frequented by visitors, a lodge and campgrounds will remain open. Known as the “other side” of the Grand Canyon, the North Rim attracts about one-tenth of all park visitors, according to the National Park Service. The park sees around six million visitors annually.
This is not the first time the Transcanyon Waterline has encountered issues. Built in the 1960s, the waterline has outlived its expected lifespan and requires costly repairs, according to the Park Service. Since 2010, there have been more than 85 breaks that have disrupted water delivery to the park.
Despite the overnight closure, the park will remain open during the day, with food and beverage services available. The post office will also remain open during daytime hours.
Source: nytimes.com