Grand Canyon National Park vacationers will have to plan around water restrictions in the next few days.
Park staff increased water restrictions to Stage 3 on Thursday, Aug. 13, citing diminishing water reserves. These conservation measures affect access to drinking water and water for laundry and showers in some parts of the park.
The low water reserves resulted from a break in the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water for use throughout the Canyon, that occurred about 1 mile below Cottonwood Campground, park spokeswoman Joelle Baird said. The break was repaired earlier in the week.
Grand Canyon staff expect the current water restrictions will last at least through Aug. 17, Baird said. If reserve tanks are replenished to "sustainable levels"
by that time, park staff will downgrade the water restrictions to Stage 2.
The impact to most Grand Canyon travelers is "minimal," only affecting campers planning to stay in certain campgrounds, she said. However, past water supply disruptions were severe enough to force Stage 4 restrictions, which include temporary closures of overnight lodging.
What do Grand Canyon water restrictions mean for travelers?
The restrictions will affect Grand Canyon visitors planning to camp at the Mather and Desert View campgrounds and/or hike the inner canyon.
Camper Services at Mather Campground are closed and water spigots at Mather and Desert View campgrounds are turned off, according to the National Park Service.
"Campers staying at Mather and Desert View campgrounds over the weekend should prepare to fill water jugs outside the park and bring them with them for camping at these locations," Baird said.
The closure of Mather Campground's Camper Services facility affects laundry and shower services, she said.
Fires at Mather and Desert View campgrounds are prohibited as well. Delaware North, a park service concessionaire, removed firewood from the Grand Canyon Village Market and Deli, a general store within the park that sells grocery items and outdoor equipment, Baird said. Delaware North also operates the Camper Services facility at Mather Campground.
Water restored in most inner canyon areas
In the inner canyon, water was turned back on at Manzanita Rest Area, Cottonwood Campground, Bright Angel Campground, the Delta Restrooms and Boat Beach on Aug. 12.
As of Aug. 13, water remained off at North Kaibab Trailhead and Supai Tunnel because of damage to the North Rim's water distribution line during the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire, Baird said. The park service's Water Utilities Team anticipates service will be restored for the 2027 season.
Park staff always recommends hikers bring water treatment and filtration if they plan to hike the inner canyon via the North Kaibab, South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails because of frequent water interruptions, she said. She expects the Transcanyon Waterline will be fully online in October 2027.
Looking for the best things to do in Arizona? Sign up for our newsletter.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@usatodayco.com.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Visiting Grand Canyon? What to know about water and fire restrictions
