The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open as scheduled May 15, despite damage to the pipeline that supplies water to park facilities there, park officials said this month.

However, visitor services will be limited, and water conservation measures will be in effect, until the pipeline can be repaired, the park said in a news release.

A rockslide from a winter storm took out more than 300 feet of the pipeline, which pumps water from Roaring Springs to the North Rim. It also damaged the North Kaibab Trail, which runs from the North Rim into the Canyon. The Trans-Canyon Pipeline, which supplies water to the South Rim and Phantom Ranch, was not affected.

Access to the pipeline is extremely challenging, park officials said, and an estimated 45 work days will be needed to replace the missing pipeline and repair other leaks. Helicopters and other equipment will be needed to ensure work crew safety, the park said.

Damage to 800 feet of the North Kaibab Trail is also being repaired, and hikers should anticipate closures during the day while crews are working. The closure is at Redwall Bridge, located about 2.5 miles above Manzanita Rest Area and 1 mile below Supai Tunnel.

Until the pipeline is replaced, the North Rim will have to rely on the water in its holding tanks. As such, the park is putting water conservation measures into effect:

  • Day-use operations will begin as scheduled May 15 at Grand Canyon Lodge, which will offer limited food and beverage services. But overnight accommodations at the lodge will not begin until Friday, May 26. Those who reserved rooms and cabins for May 15-25 are out of luck, unfortunately.
  • The North Rim Campground will open as scheduled May 15, with potable water and portable toilets, but the public laundry and shower facilities will not be open.
  • The North Rim grocery store, gas station, post office, visitors center and bookstore will be open as normal.

For the latest information, call Grand Canyon National Park's recorded information line, 928-638-7688, or visit www.nps.gov/grca.