Grand Canyon reopens South Rim hotels after water-line is repaired

Hotels are reopening on the Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim on Wednesday after the park halted overnight accommodations for over a week due to water-line breaks, the park said Monday.

The park will resume overnight stays at El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. Some campground water hoses will remain off, and fire restrictions at the South Rim will continue.

The park first took steps to conserve water earlier this month by pausing overnight stays after the breaks. A vast majority of the Grand Canyon's visitors spend their time at the South Rim, and more than 41,000 people used overnight lodging in the park last December, though the winter season is sleepier.

Park officials are encouraging visitors and residents to still take conservation measures such as shortening showers, washing full loads of laundry and turning off the faucet when brushing teeth. Hikers should bring or treat water water if needed, said the park.

Sejal Govindarao