Grand Canyon National Park Trails and Businesses Open for Day Use
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOENIX (Dec. 5, 2025) — Travelers considering a trip this weekend to Grand Canyon National Park should know the park remains open and ready to welcome visitors for a wide variety of day-use activities, including sightseeing, hiking, shopping, dining, visiting museums and taking tours, despite the temporary closure of overnight lodging starting Dec. 6 due to repair work on the Transcanyon Waterline.
Park officials and concession operators want the public to know that while crews are working expediently to return normal water service levels to the Grand Canyon South Rim, water for services such as public restrooms, shops, food and beverage, the Grand Canyon Clinic, Post Office and essential health and safety services remains in place.
The water issue only impacts the Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim.
All other Northern Arizona communities are open and available to host travelers and honor existing travel plans. Visitors seeking overnight accommodations are encouraged to stay either in Tusayan, which is just outside the park’s south entrance and isn’t impacted by the water pipe issue, or in other nearby gateway communities including Williams and Flagstaff.
“We really want to assure travelers that the Grand Canyon remains open and ready to welcome them. Day visitors can still experience the park’s majestic views, hiking trails and amenities,” said Alix Skelpsa Ridgway, Interim Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. “We encourage those with overnight plans to shift their reservations to nearby communities. By planning ahead and staying flexible, visitors can still enjoy an unforgettable Grand Canyon experience.”
Additional guidance:
- No Fires: No fires will be allowed on the South Rim and inner canyon areas. Fire restrictions prohibit all outdoor wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbecues.
- Dry Camping: Only dry camping will be permitted. Spigot access at Mather Campground on the South Rim will be turned off, though faucets in bathrooms will remain operational. Water spigot access will be available at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk.
- Closures: Starting December 6: The hotel operations of El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village RV Park will be closed. Restaurants and gift shops will remain open. However, visitors should call ahead to confirm operational hours.
Quotes:
“While the temporary waterline break has paused overnight lodging at the South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park remains fully open for day visitors. As the National Park Service works swiftly toward repairs, we encourage visitors to stop by Grand Canyon Conservancy stores, where every purchase directly supports vital projects that benefit the park.” – Mindy Riesenberg, Chief Communications Officer, Grand Canyon Conservancy
“A majority of Delaware North-operated food and beverage venues and retail locations at the South Rim will remain open with daytime hours, allowing visitors to continue enjoying the park. To support travelers seeking overnight accommodations, The Squire at Grand Canyon – located in Tusayan and also managed by Delaware North Parks and Resorts – remains open and fully operational.” – Dan Cornforth, General Manager at Grand Canyon National Park, Delaware North
“The National Park Service has a dedicated team of facilities maintenance individuals and we are confident they will have water service restored in the coming days. In the meantime, there are many lodging options for visitors just outside the park boundary in the town of Tusayan – including The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites – as well as the nearby Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams. While winter is generally quieter than the peak summer season, December is a magical time to visit, especially around holiday travel. The Polar Express rail experience remains a major draw, and many visitors choose to stay in nearby communities such as Tusayan or Williams during this time. Day visitors are still welcome and encouraged to visit the park, where park services (including food and beverage, souvenir shopping, and activities) are all available with minimal impact.” – Andy Stiles, Grand Canyon South Rim, Xanterra Travel Collection
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Media Contact:
Josh Coddington, (480) 438-4700, jcoddington@tourism.az.gov
About the Arizona Office of Tourism: The Arizona Office of Tourism works to strengthen and grow Arizona’s economy through travel and tourism promotion, positioning Arizona as the leading tourism destination for domestic and international travelers. In 2024, tourism employed more than 193,800 Arizonans and contributed over $4.3 billion in tax revenue to our federal, state and local economies.