Travelers with reservations at Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim — the park’s main destination for most visitors — face significant disruptions, effective pretty much immediately. The National Park Service let out a doozy of an announcement: All overnight accommodations close starting Saturday, December 6, 2025. The closures affect five major properties: El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Yavapai Lodge, and Trailer Village. It’s nothing to do with wildfires — here’s what’s happening.
What’s happening at the Grand Canyon
The shutdown stems from critical failures in the Transcanyon Waterline, a 12.5-mile pipeline built in the 1960s that supplies water to the South Rim. Multiple breaks since mid-November have left the South Rim without pumped water, forcing park officials to implement emergency conservation measures. The aging infrastructure has long exceeded its expected lifespan and requires constant, costly repairs.
While disappointing news for visitors, this closure is separate from the recent Dragon Bravo Fire that destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and over 100 buildings on the North Rim. The South Rim closure is purely infrastructure-related.
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“We are optimistic for a reopening later this week [Dec 9], with it dependent on NPS water test results over the next 24-48 hours,” says Andy Stiles, GM of Grand Canyon South Rim. Online availability reflects the current NPS projection for when repairs may be completed, he continues, though that timeline is dependent on ongoing work.
The park remains open for day visits, and most services will continue operating. All restaurants, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and the Post Office will stay open during normal hours. However, if you’re planning an overnight stay, you’ll need to book accommodations in Tusayan, the gateway town just outside the park entrance, where hotels remain unaffected. The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites remain in the midst of their winter season, as well as the nearby Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams
Campers can still use Mather Campground, but only dry camping is permitted. Water spigots at campsites will be shut off, though bathroom faucets remain operational. You can access water at the nearby Camper Services Dump Station. All fires are prohibited on the South Rim and inner canyon areas, including campfires and charcoal grills.
Backcountry hikers must carry all necessary water or water treatment supplies, as availability is limited throughout the canyon. Check the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates webpage before your trip for current conditions.
Park officials haven’t provided a specific reopening date for the hotels, stating only that they’ll resume operations “as quickly as possible.” Currently, Xanterra — the park’s lodging concessionaire — is hoping to open its properties in December, though time will tell.
A $208 million waterline rehabilitation project, which has been underway since 2023, isn’t expected to finish until 2027, though overnight accommodations will likely reopen sooner as repairs progress. Monitor the park’s official website for updates before traveling — or I’ll keep you posted here as news gets released.