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3 weeks ago
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Grand Canyon National Park has abruptly closed a host of hotels near the iconic destination just ahead of Labor Day weekend, leaving distraught families in the lurch over their summer vacation plans.
Park authorities announced the surprise closures, effective Thursday, citing a 'series of four significant breaks' in the 12.5-mile-long pipe that supplies water to the park - with no end to the disruption in sight.
'Since July 8, the park has faced challenges with water supply, and currently, no water is being pumped to either the South or North Rim,' the National Park Service said.
The Arizona beauty spot draws tourists from all over the world - and shocked travelers have no idea when the facilities will be back up and running.
'I understand the need and appreciate the efforts but I had planned the trip of a lifetime with my daughter, flying in from Iowa this Monday and Tuesday,' devastated mother Heidi Zahner Younts wrote on Facebook in response to the notice.
Grand Canyon National Park has abruptly closed a host of hotels near the iconic destination, leaving distraught families in the lurch over their summer vacation plans (Pictured: tourists hiking along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in February 2022)
Laurie Feazell Richardson said she was saddened at the news after making reservations to celebrate her wedding anniversary.
'So disappointed! On our way now for a week long stay for our 45th anniversary. Been planning this trip for a year,' she wrote on Facebook.
The action - which includes the closures of at least six hotels and trailer parks, as well as limitations on camping - 'will be enacted for the South Rim for the foreseeable future,' the park said.
Some travelers worried that the closures could persist past the summer and into the fall.
'We have reservations in October,' Heather Stedman Johnson wrote on Facebook. 'I booked a whole trip around this...I hope this isn't an ongoing issue...'
Kirsten Heike echoed the same concern about her mid-September reservation.
'Can anyone say how long the closures might last and what "foreseeable future" could mean? Days? Weeks? Months?' she wrote the park's Facebook page.
Laurie Feazell Richardson (pictured at left) said she was saddened at the news after making reservations to celebrate her 45th wedding anniversary.
'I understand the need and appreciate the efforts but I had planned the trip of a lifetime with my daughter' devastated mother Heidi Zahner Younts said of the closures
Hotel facilities including Xanterra's El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Phantom Ranch, as well as Delaware North's Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village, will be closed to overnight guests.
Hotel facilities outside the park in the town of Tusayan will not be impacted, park officials said.
Within the park, only dry camping will be allowed, with water spigots shut off at campgrounds on the South Rim. Faucets in bathrooms will remain operational, however, and water spigot access will be available at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk.
No fires will be allowed on the South Rim or inner canyon areas. All wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbecues are prohibited.
Backcountry hikers will be required to carry all necessary water or water treatment methods.
Pictured: Water leaking from a break in an exposed section of the trans-canyon waterline in an undated photo handed out by the National Park Service
Pictured: Water spraying from a break in an exposed section of the trans-canyon waterline in an undated photo handed out by the National Park Service
The park will remain open for day use, as will South Rim food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and the post office.
On the North Rim, the Grand Canyon Lodge and visitor services including the campground will remain open.
'These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources. The goal is to restore full operational status for overnight guests on the South Rim as quickly as possible,' park officials said.
The park is asking guests to 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 any leaks.
The National Park Service said the Transcanyon Waterline, which was originally built in the 1960s, 'has exceeded its expected lifespan and experiences frequent failures, which require expensive and continuous maintenance work to repair leaks.'
There have been over 85 'major' breaks since 2010, disrupting water delivery to approximately 2,500 year-round residents along with the park's six million annual visitors.
The National Park Service recently began a $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline, which is expected to be completed in 2027.
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