Transcanyon Waterline Repair Continues; Water Restrictions Remain in Effect

Water utility crews continue making progress on repairs to the Transcanyon Waterline break located approximately one mile below Cottonwood Campground along the North Kaibab Trail. As of today, crews are back on site fitting replacement pipe as work advances toward restoring water service.

Yesterday, the park transitioned to initial water restrictions as water levels in the South Rim Tank Farm continued to decline. All employees, residents, concessioners, and visitors are encouraged to make water conservation part of their daily routine. Small actions matter! This includes taking shorter showers, reducing toilet flushing, running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, turning off faucets while brushing teeth, and promptly reporting leaks help conserve the park’s limited water supply until the system is restored.

Potable water remains unavailable at Manzanita Rest Area, Cottonwood Campground, Bright Angel Campground, Delta Restrooms, Boat Beach, and in the Phantom Ranch area. Backcountry hikers should continue carrying sufficient water and be prepared to filter and treat water from natural sources. More information on water availability and backcountry updates can be found on the park’s Key Hiking Messages webpage.

Meet Caroline Grass, Science Communication Assistant

Last month, the Office of Communications, Partnerships, and External Affairs welcomed Caroline Grass to the team as their new Science Communication Assistant.

She previously completed a communications fellowship through the Alaska Fellows Program in Anchorage, Alaska, and was born and raised in Burke, Virginia. Grass said that open water swimming, rowing and coxing on her high school and college crew teams, and hiking throughout her life has fostered her love of nature and determination to help protect the environment.

“Writing and communicating about the environment has always been a passion of mine, from where I grew up in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to the Finger Lakes region where I went to college, most recently in Alaska and now here at Grand Canyon,” Grass said. “I’m really excited to be here, to learn about a new place and work for the National Park Service.”

As a Science Communications Assistant, Grass will be creating digital and print content (like writing these spotlights for the Weekly Wrap Up!), assisting with outreach events, community programs, and stakeholder meetings, and working with partners. The position, a Scientists in Parks program Individual Placement, will last one year.

“I’ve already been able to meet work groups across the park, travel to the North Rim, and interact with community partners in just my first month,” Grass said. “I really look forward to what I can do and learn throughout the rest of the position.”

GCC Environmental Educator in Residence & GCC Residency Alumni Programs this Week

Grand Canyon community members are invited to participate in upcoming programs featuring Environmental Educator in Residence Sidney Rainey and Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) residency alumni. Programs this week explore Grand Canyon ecosystems, conservation, water, poetry, music, and the night sky. The full lineup of all GCC events can be found on their website here.

Saving Endangered Species

Friday, August 7 | 4–4:45 p.m. | Yavapai Amphitheater

Join Environmental Educator in Residence Sidney Rainey to explore why species become endangered and how conservation efforts help protect them. Learn about iconic Grand Canyon species, including the California condor, humpback chub, and Mexican spotted owl, and the ongoing work to support their survival.

Grand Canyon Water: Then and Now

Monday, August 10 | 4–4:45 p.m. | Yavapai Amphitheater

Discover the role water has played in shaping Grand Canyon, supporting life throughout the Southwest, and influencing the future of water conservation.

Ecosystems of the South Rim: From Ponderosa to Prickly Pear

Tuesday, August 11 | 1–1:45 p.m. | Kolb Gallery

Explore the diverse ecosystems of the South Rim with Sidney Rainey. Through observation and discussion, participants will learn how these interconnected landscapes differ and discover the plants and features that make each ecosystem unique.

Poetry Under the Stars with Lauren Camp

Tuesday, August 11 | 8:30–9:30 p.m. | Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater

Join Grand Canyon Conservancy’s fourth Astronomer-in-Residence, Lauren Camp, for an evening of poetry inspired by the sky, stars, and moon. The outdoor program concludes with a laser-guided constellation talk.

Milky Way, Meteors and More

Wednesday, August 12 | 8–10 p.m. | McKee Amphitheater

Experience an unforgettable evening beneath the peak of the Perseid meteor shower with Grand Canyon Conservancy Residency alum and astronomer/musician Dr. David Koerner. Enjoy a live piano performance featuring works by Chopin, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, Prokofiev, and original compositions, interwoven with interpretive stories about the stars, constellations, and the Milky Way. Under ideal conditions, viewers may see 50–100 meteors per hour.

Did you know that Grand Canyon Fire Department’s firefighters train over 100 hours a year? Firefighters train and practice their skills to stay sharp, knowledgeable, and keep up with current research and best practices so they can provide the highest quality service to the community.

Next week, firefighters will be holding their annual firefighter refresher training Tuesday, August 11 through Thursday, August 13. Firefighters and instructors from Grand Canyon, Zion, Death Valley, Yosemite, and Glacier Bay (Alaska!) will be spending three days brushing up on the basics and learning some new skills.

You can expect to see firefighters training in real-world scenarios at these locations:

• Tuesday 8/11 – 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Apache St.
• Wednesday 8/12 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Kaibab St.
• Thursday 8/13 – smoke may be visible along South Entrance Road but should have no impact to motorists or residents.

Please feel free to say hi, we love sharing what we do with those we serve. Your community’s firefighters thank you for support!

Save the Date! Grand Canyon Music Festival Announces 2026 Season

The 43rd Grand Canyon Music Festival returns this August with a lineup of performances celebrating music, culture, and the arts. This year’s festival will run from August 21 through September 6. A special highlight of this year’s festival will take place on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. at Shrine of the Ages, where audiences can experience the world premiere of newly commissioned works honoring American historical figures.

Supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the program features original compositions by Michael Begay (Diné) and Sage Bond (Diné and San Carlos Apache), both alumni of the Native American Composer Apprentice Project (NACAP). The new works celebrate the legacies of Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, and Sacagawea as part of the nationwide America250 commemoration.

For the full festival schedule and additional information, visit Grand Canyon Music Festival’s website.

Grand Canyon Rec Center Announces August Calendar of Events

There’s something for everyone at the Grand Canyon Rec Center this August! From fitness classes and group trips to clubs and community activities, the month is packed with opportunities to get active, learn something new, and connect with others.

View the full August calendar of events here

*New changes to operations are indicated in red.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 12-11 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, current hours are from 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)
• Fred Harvey 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

Delaware North

• Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast 7-10:30 a.m., dinner 5-9 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Camper Services: 7 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily., Camper Services Grab n Go: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Clinic: 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Pharmacy hours: Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Canyon Adventures Cafe and bike rentals: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Kolb Studio, Visitor Center Plaza, Verkamp’s, and Yavapai Geology Museum: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Starting Sunday, 8/9: Kolb Studio 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Verkamps 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., CLOSED Saturday and Sunday
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Summer Shuttle Bus Schedule (May 23 – Sep. 11, 2026)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: 8 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Village (Blue) Route: 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 5 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Tusayan (Purple) Route: Every 45 minutes from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 4, 5, and 6 a.m.

Desert View

• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. with last stair access at 6 p.m.
• Desert View Trading Post, ice cream, and coffee shop, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Desert View Gas Station & Service Station Retail, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with 24-hour pay-at-the-pump access

North Rim

• General Store (adjacent to the campground), open through Oct. 15 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Gas Station – 24- hour self-serve pay-at-the-pump; gas and diesel available. Open through Oct. 15.
• The North Rim Campground open through Oct. 15, 2026. Reservations are available for booking at rec.gov.
• The North Kaibab Trail from Redwall Bridge to Cottonwood Campground will close on Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m. to support Transcanyon Waterline construction. Traditional “Rim-to-Rim” hiking will not be possible after this date.

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

• Sunrise near Yavapai Geology Museum on Aug. 4 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Transcanyon Waterline break below Cottonwood Campground (NPS Photo)
• Dr. David Koerner, former GCC Residency Alum during a Minute Out In It video (NPS Video/R. Lane)
• Structure fire training near the Xanterra Warehouse building (NPS Photo/K. Ross)
• Michael Begay and Sage Bond will perform at the Grand Canyon Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 29 (Photo courtesy of GCMF)
• Clouds build over Mather Point on Aug. 6 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)

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