Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: January 12-16, 2026

Waterline Repairs Continue After Multiple Failures in the Inner Canyon

This week, a series of three pipeline breaks along the North Kaibab Trail has temporarily disrupted water service in the inner canyon. Two of the breaks occurred within 50 feet of each other just north of the Box, with a third near the Xanterra mule corral at Phantom Ranch.

As a result, Phantom Ranch and the Canteen will be closed from Saturday, January 17 through Saturday, January 24. Water has also been shut off at Boat Beach, the Delta Restroom, Bright Angel Campground, and the Phantom Ranch Canteen for at least one week. Utility crews, with support from FMD’s special projects team, have excavated the damaged sections of pipe and are fitting new pipe for welding, with additional repairs planned once power is secured at the mule corral site.

An additional issue occurred at the Yaki Tank when a pipe froze, broke, and drained the tank, triggering a boil water order as a safety precaution. Staff notified the few affected users in person. The tank has been flushed and refilled, and a water quality test is underway to confirm it is safe to return to service. Water to the South Kaibab Trailhead will remain off until the pipe can be repaired.

Although South Rim water tank levels were in good shape prior to the latest breaks, any disruption to pumping can impact overall water availability. Residents and staff are asked to continue being mindful of water use as repairs move forward. Current water availability can be found on the park’s Key Messages Hiking page here.

Grand Canyon Speaks Podcast with Ali Upshaw Now Available

Ali Upshaw, a Diné runner from Fort Defiance, Arizona, describes how she started her athletic career with her family, who are also runners, and made it to her dream college team through intense training. Through the hard work of it all, she describes how running keeps her grounded, enables her to accomplish big goals, and stay connected to her culture by running with her ancestors.

Listen/download on NPS podcasts or on Apple podcasts.

A Major Upgrade for Grand Canyon’s Shuttle Bus System

While other construction projects, such as the Transcanyon Waterline, are more visible to visitors, another important project is underway behind the scenes. Late last year, a contractor began mobilizing and clearing a site along Shuttle Bus Road to build a new shuttle bus maintenance facility.

The Grand Canyon shuttle bus system serves millions of visitors annually but operates from an outdated, undersized maintenance facility that limits preventative maintenance, creates safety risks, and fails to meet accessibility standards. A new facility is essential to ensure reliable transit operations, improve safety, and accommodate future growth.

The project consolidates all functions—administration, maintenance, and storage—into one modern prefabricated building on a nearly three-acre site. Key improvements include four maintenance bays with lifts, a wash bay, training space for drivers, offices, and parking for up to 50 buses and 60 personal vehicles. The design supports alternative fuel types, efficient end-of-day operations, and access to the adjacent compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station. Once complete, the old facility will be removed and the site rehabilitated, ensuring long-term operations and safety.

Although much of the construction will likely go unnoticed by visitors, the new facility will significantly benefit those using the shuttle bus system. The design-build construction contract was issued to Guardian Construction and is expected to be completed by July 2027.

Grand Canyon Incident Report Available

Grand Canyon Law Enforcement has combined significant incidents from all districts including the South Rim, Canyon District, and the North Rim.

See the latest Incident Report:

Grand Canyon Incident Report Ending 1/12/2026

Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Insights and Impacts with Superintendent Keable – January 21

The Grand Canyon community is invited to attend Insights and Impacts, a virtual update hosted by Grand Canyon Conservancy featuring Superintendent Ed Keable and GCC CEO Elizabeth Silkes. During this one-hour Zoom webinar, Superintendent Keable will share the latest information on the status of the Colorado River, Dragon Bravo Fire post-fire recovery efforts, and overall park operations and priorities.

This is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from park leadership, ask questions, and stay informed on current projects and conditions across Grand Canyon National Park. The event takes place on Wednesday, January 21 from 5:00-6:00 PM MST. Registration is available through the Grand Canyon Conservancy’s website.

Grand Canyon Phantoms Homecoming Basketball Games —Jan. 21

Grand Canyon High School’s Homecoming basketball games will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 21. A brief alumni recognition will be held around 5 p.m. with the boys’ varsity game starting at 5:30 p.m. Additional games for Jan. 21 include JV Girls at 1 p.m., JV Boys at 2:30 p.m. and Girls Varsity at 4 p.m.

Come and celebrate Phantom alumni and root for the Phantoms to bring home the win against Dishchii’bikoh.

Grand Canyon Library Calendar of Events—Jan. 19-24

The Grand Canyon Community Library has a full lineup of events for next week including storytime, duplo build and play, and storytime and crafts.

For a complete list of events and times, see the attached flyer here.

*New changes to operations are indicated in red.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-9 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dinner 4-8 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. (food until 7:30 p.m.)
• Arizona Steakhouse – Lunch: Closed until further notice, Dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m., Lounge 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (food until 8:30 p.m.)
• The Grand Canyon Kennel, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

Delaware North

• Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast 7-10 a.m., dinner 5-8 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 11-9 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Camper Services: Closed due to water restrictions

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Canyon Adventures Cafe: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., bike tours suspended until spring 2026
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Kolb Studio, Visitor Center Plaza, Verkamp’s, and Yavapai Geology Museum: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Yoga provides trauma-sensitive yoga for our community. View the class schedule and learn more at www.grandcanyonyoga.com.
• Winter Shuttle Bus Schedule (Dec. 1, 2025-Feb. 28, 2026)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: Suspended (open to private vehicles)
• Village (Blue) Route: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 8 a.m.-7:20 p.m.
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 8 and 9 a.m.
• Inner Canyon:
• CLOSED: River Trail east of River Resthouse to South Kaibab Trail junction through June 30, 2026
• CLOSED: Silver Bridge through June 30, 2026
• CLOSED: Plateau Point Trail through June 30, 2026
• CLOSED: North Kaibab Trail north of Clear Creek Trail Junction

Desert View

• Desert View Watchtower, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with stairs closing at 4 p.m.
• Desert View Trading Post, ice cream, and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Desert View Gas Station (24 hours via pay at pump), retail closed for the 2025 season

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

• Mather Point sunrise on Jan. 13, 2026 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Ali Upshaw, NAU collegiate athlete (Photo courtesy of Ali Upshaw)
• Shuttle bus maintenance facility rendering image (NPS Image)
• Shuttle bus project site clearing (NPS Photo)
• Ed Keable spotted on the Rim Trail during his daily walk to work (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• A Ranger presents in a Pre-K classroom on Jan. 15, 2026 (Photo courtesy of Emily Petrie)

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