The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona remains open to visitors despite severe flash flooding that killed at least two people, with one missing.
However, hotels at the park and some types of camping will remain closed indefinitely, mostly due to the floods damaging a major water pipeline to the area.
According to the National Park Service, it enacted Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim on Aug. 31 in response to the flash flooding that occurred along Bright Angel Canyon on Aug. 29.
Stage 5 would lead to a total closure of the park and possible evacuation of non-essential residents.
The Park Service also produced this handy list of what is open and what is not “for the foreseeable future” on the canyon’s South Rim:
- Overnight Guest Lodging: All park concessions have halted overnight accommodations. This includes hotel facilities operated by Xanterra, such as El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge and Phantom Ranch, as well as Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. Overnight hotel accommodations outside the park in the town of Tusayan will not be affected by changes in park operations.
- Dry Camping: Only dry camping is allowed. Spigot access at campgrounds on the South Rim will be turned off, though faucets in bathrooms will stay operational.
- No fires allowed on the South Rim and inner canyon areas. Fire restrictions prohibit all wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires and charcoal barbeques. For more information on fire restrictions, visit the park’s Fire Information webpage.
- Operational Services: The park will remain open for day use. All South Rim food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic and the Post Office will remain open. Some operations may have reduced hours.
Jerry McClanahan, author of the EZ66 Guide to Route 66, also has kept tabs on the park services:
The Grand Canyon for generations has remained a common side trip for many Route 66 travelers, usually going from Flagstaff or Williams.
(Image of the Grand Canyon by John Loo via Flickr)