A popular national park is shutting down every one of its hotels
Regular visitors to Grand Canyon National Park will know that the area spanning 1,900 square feet is actually divided into two sections referred to as "rims" (a third West Rim is owned by the local Hualapai Tribe and not part of the national park itself). Sitting at significantly higher elevation ...
Regular visitors to Grand Canyon National Park will know that the area spanning 1,900 square feet is actually divided into two sections referred to as "rims" (a third West Rim is owned by the local Hualapai Tribe and not part of the national park itself).
Sitting at significantly higher elevation and isolated from the much more popular South Rim, the North Rim is accessible either by four-hour drive from the rest of the park or a shorter but physically strenuous hike.
The South Rim, meanwhile, is the more developed area visited by tourists looking to experience Grand Canyon's signature rock layers, panoramic viewpoints and the majority of infrastructure including the visitors' centers, restaurants, and hotels for those looking to stay overnight.
Grand Canyon to close six hotels indefinitely amid water pipe reductions
While the North Rim was home to the single Grand Canyon Lodge (the historic property suffered significant damage in a fire last summer), the South Rim is home to five lodges.
Despite their massive popularity, the National Park Service (NPS) is now shuttering them indefinitely over water restrictions put in place because of a series of breaks in the 12.5-mile-long Transcanyon Waterline.
Related: An iconic national park hotel has been destroyed in a fire
The properties that will be closed to visitors beginning Dec. 6 include El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Yavapai Lodge, and Trailer Village. A reopening date has not been announced, which means they are closed down indefinitely.
With the North Rim's Grand Canyon Lodge still has not reopened from the fire last summer, this leaves Grand Canyon with no overnight accommodations besides camping.
Mather Campground is currently the only option, but the large space will have significantly reduced water access with only a few operating faucets in the main bathroom area and main kiosk at the campsite's check-in.
Local restaurants and food establishments will also remain open. Shutterstock
"Spigot access at Mather Campground on the South Rim will be turned off": NPS
"Only dry camping will be permitted," the NPS writes of the closures. "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."
Meanwhile, the nearest open hotels will be in the nearby Arizona town of Tusayan, which sits just outside the park grounds and gets its water supply from a different line. Although winter is traditionally low season for overnight visitors, the lack of available hotels in the park itself is likely to cause price spikes in nearby towns.
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Nearby residents and day visitors to the park will also be affected by the water restrictions, amid local guidance to reduce use as repairs are conducted and the supply remains limited.
"Residents are being asked to help conserve water by limiting showers to five minutes or less, turning off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, flushing toilets selectively, washing laundry with full loads, and reporting leaks to the appropriate offices," the NPS writes in further guidance.
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