08/31/2026
August 30 Update — 6:30 PM:
As of this evening, recovery operations have been completed for a 46-year-old male near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River. The Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office is currently onsite. There is no additional information to share at this time. We will provide updates as soon as available.
____________________________________________________________
STAGE 4 WATER RESTRICTIONS BEGIN AUGUST 31
Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim beginning at noon Monday, August 31, following the significant flash flooding that occurred along Bright Angel Canyon on August 29.
The flooding caused extensive damage to inner canyon infrastructure, including the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon to the park. The waterline is currently not operational, leaving the park with limited water reserves.
As a result, the following measures will be in place for the foreseeable future:
Overnight accommodations: All park concession overnight accommodations will close beginning August 31, including El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch, Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. Hotels in Tusayan will not be affected.
Dry camping only: South Rim campground water spigots will be turned off. Bathroom faucets will remain operational, and water will be available at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk.
No fires: Wood-burning and charcoal fires are prohibited on the South Rim and in the inner canyon, including campfires, warming fires and charcoal grills.
Day use continues: The park will remain open for day use. South Rim food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic and Post Office will remain open, although some operations may have reduced hours.
Help conserve water: Visitors and residents are asked to take showers of five minutes or less, turn off faucets while brushing teeth or shaving, flush toilets selectively, run full loads of laundry and report leaks.
These measures are necessary to conserve limited water supplies while the park assesses damage from the August 29 flash flood and works to stabilize the water system.
Full news release: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-close-overnight-hotel-accommodations-beginning-august-31.htm
NPS Photo/J. Baird: A storm system moves across the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on August 29, 2026. The storm produced heavy rainfall that contributed to significant flash flooding in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.
