Continued Water Conservation Remains Critical for South Rim Community

As announced in this morning’s news release, the park will begin gradually easing water conservation measures on the South Rim starting Friday, April 17 at 12 p.m., following progress in repairing the South Rim water pipeline and restoring pumping capacity. While this marks an important step forward, the park continues to operate on a constrained, aging, and vulnerable water system. Additional pipeline breaks remain possible, and water use must remain careful and intentional.

Even as some restrictions are lifted and services begin to return, water conservation remains essential for both residents and park operations. We are still in a situation where supply is limited, and small daily actions collectively determine how resilient our system is. At Grand Canyon, the water system serves approximately 3,000 residents and contracting personnel, with an average use of about 344,000 gallons per day. This equates to roughly 115 gallons per person per day.

To put this into perspective, everyday choices matter:

• A 5-minute shower (at ~2.1 gallons per minute) uses about 10.5 gallons of water
• A 20-minute shower uses about 42 gallons of water
• That is a difference of 31.5 gallons per shower, or nearly 28% of an average person’s daily water allocation

These differences quickly add up across the community. Small adjustments in behavior—shortening showers, turning off faucets while brushing teeth, running full laundry loads, and reporting leaks—directly support the stability of the entire system.

While conditions are improving, the reality remains that Grand Canyon’s water infrastructure is limited and vulnerable. Every gallon conserved helps reduce strain on the system and helps ensure continued access to water for residents, operations, and critical park services. A flyer highlighting simple water conservation actions you can take at home can be found here.

Ancestral Lands Crews Begin Construction of Zuni Bread Ovens at Desert View

Two Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps crews arrived this week to begin construction of two traditional Zuni bread ovens at the Desert View Intertribal Heritage Site.

The project is part of the future Intertribal Welcome Center and Outdoor Demonstration Area development and supports broader efforts to connect visitors with the cultural traditions of the 11 Associated Tribes through food sovereignty and First Voice programming at Grand Canyon National Park.

The Ancestral Lands Crew project engages youth in hands-on conservation work at their ancestral homelands, including building traditional bread ovens and assisting with site stabilization, trail, and fencing projects. Grand Canyon has long been a place of traditional food gathering and preparation, from farming at Havasupai Gardens and along the Colorado River to agave roasting pits and piñon gathering on the rim. The addition of the Zuni bread ovens continues this living connection between people and place while strengthening cultural ties for participating youth through hands-on experience and traditional knowledge.

Visitor Center Programs: Art, Meteorites, and Astronomy This Week

Grand Canyon Conservancy will host a series of evening programs featuring artist talks, astronomy lectures, and guided night-sky viewing.

On Thursday, April 16 (7-9 PM), visiting artists Nicole Banowetz and Devin Reilly will share their residency work creating wearable, inflatable sculptures inspired by natural organisms. The evening will also include an astronomy lecture by Dr. Daniel Fleisch on galaxy collisions, followed by a laser-guided astronomy tour, weather permitting.

On Friday, April 17 (10 AM-2 PM), Dr. Fleisch will present a pop-up meteorite display in the Visitor Center Lobby featuring hands-on samples of iron, stony, and stony-iron meteorites, including material from Mars.

The series concludes Saturday, April 18 (7-9 PM) with another artist talk and an astronomy lecture by Dr. Fleisch on asteroids, dwarf planets, and comets, including interstellar objects, followed by a night-sky tour if conditions allow.

More information on these events can be found in the attached flyer here.

Special Evening Program: Apache Language and Connection

Employees and residents are invited to a special Evening Park Ranger Program on Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, featuring Orlando Gushoney of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. This unique presentation explores Apache language preservation and the deep connections between language, the earth, movement, and ways of life.

Gushoney’s program emphasizes that language is more than words—it is a way of thinking, feeling, and connecting to the world. Attendees are encouraged to come learn, listen, and reconnect through this engaging and meaningful cultural experience.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Live Music Under the Canyon Sky: Upcoming Evening Performances

Grand Canyon residents are invited to enjoy two upcoming Evening Park Ranger Programs featuring live music under the canyon sky.

On Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m., the sibling duo Sihasin will perform at McKee Amphitheater (located near Park Headquarters). Known for their genre-defying sound, Sihasin—meaning “hope” in Navajo—blends traditional Navajo influences with folk, world, and post-punk elements for a powerful and inspiring performance.

The following evening, Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m., Tha ‘Yoties will take the stage at McKee Amphitheater. This reggae-rock band, led by Tewa/Hopi artist and educator Ed Kabotie, brings an energetic performance rooted in advocacy for the people and lands of the Grand Canyon region.

Both events are free and open to all. In the event of inclement weather, performances will be moved indoors to the Shrine of the Ages. More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Grand Canyon School educator Adrian Alvarez has been named the 2026 Coconino County Teacher of the Year. Alvarez, who teaches Science and Consumer Chemistry, was recognized April 9 in Flagstaff for her outstanding dedication to students and the school community. The annual award recognizes educators across Coconino County who go above and beyond to inspire learning and shape the future of education.

Principal Lori Rommel praised Alvarez’s impact both inside and outside the classroom:

“Adrian Alvarez is an exceptional educator whose commitment to her students, colleagues, and school community is truly inspiring. Her dedication extends far beyond the classroom—she leads, mentors, and supports others in ways that strengthen our entire school. She fosters a culture of growth, teamwork, and shared success, and consistently uplifts both her students and peers through her compassion and professionalism. Adrian truly embodies what it means to be an educational leader.”

Congrats, Mrs. Alvarez!

*New changes to operations are indicated in red.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 12-9 p.m. (food until 8:30 p.m.)
• Bright Angel Fountain, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. (food until 8:30 p.m.)
• Arizona Steakhouse, Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge, Breakfast 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9:30 p.m., Lounge 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. (food until 9 p.m.), Outdoor patio from 12 p.m. until dusk (weather permitting)
• Food truck located at Grand Canyon Visitor Center shuttle bus bay: 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (weather permitting)
• Canyon Food Cart (Rim Trail between Bright Angel and El Tovar Lodges: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (weather permitting)
• 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 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Camper Services: CLOSED due to water conservation measures

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Canyon Adventures Cafe and bike rentals: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 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.-7 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—view the class schedule and learn more here.
• Shuttle Bus Spring Schedules (March 1 – May 22, 2026)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: 8:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Village (Blue) Route: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 6:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 a.m.; Departures from GCVC at 6:20, 7:20, and 8:25 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 Ribbon Falls trail junction to the North Kaibab Trailhead.

Desert View

• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. with last stair access at 5 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)
• Desert View Campground: OPEN for 2026 season (dry camping only)

North Rim

• Reopening of Hwy. 67 at the North Rim Entrance Station will be at 6 a.m. on May 15, 2026
• Reopening of the North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Ribbon Falls junction on May 15, 2026
• Reopening of Cottonwood Campground on May 15, 2026

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

• Sunrise from the South Rim on Monday, April 13 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Ancestral Lands Crews with Grand Canyon Tribal Affairs members at Desert View on Wed., April 15 (NPS Photo/D. Pawlak)
• Ancestral Lands Crews begin construction of the Zuni bread ovens at Desert View on Wed., April 15 (NPS Photo/V. Diaz)
• Coconino County Teacher of the Year Award Winners alongside 2025 winners (Photo courtesy of Coconino County Education Service Agency)

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