IMPORTANT ALERTS

Grand Canyon National Park Update: Flash Flooding and Temporary Lodging Impacts

Grand Canyon South Rim: Flooding and Lodging Impacts FAQ

A flash flood occurred in the inner canyon on August 29, 2026, damaging water infrastructure serving the South Rim. Grand Canyon National Park entered Stage 4 water restrictions effective Monday, August 31. As a result, South Rim lodges inside the park are unable to accommodate overnight guests from August 31 through October 31, 2026. This includes Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge and El Tovar Hotel. The closure of Phantom Ranch has also been extended through October 31, 2026. All Grand Canyon South Rim Lodges guests and employees are safe and accounted for. For the latest park conditions, visit nps.gov/grca.

Reservation Status and Notifications

Is my reservation still valid or canceled?
If you had an overnight lodging reservation at Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge or El Tovar Hotel for a stay arriving August 31 through October 31, 2026, it has been automatically canceled due to the closure. Deposit refunds are being issued within 7 to 10 business days. If your stay extends beyond October 31, your arrival date is being adjusted to November 1 for the remainder of your reservation.

Will I be automatically notified if my reservation is affected?
All impacted guests with reservations inside the park from August 31 through October 31, 2026 have been notified by email. If you have a reservation with us inside the park during those dates and did not receive an email, please reach out so we can assist.

I booked through a travel site like Expedia or Booking.com, or as part of a group. Does this apply to me?
The same park conditions and lodging closures apply to all in-park reservations. If you booked through a third-party travel site such as Expedia or Booking.com, please contact that provider directly to review or change your reservation, as we are unable to modify reservations made through another company. If you booked as part of a group, please reach out to your group contact or the group sales team who arranged your stay.

When will in-park lodging reopen?
At this time we have canceled in-park overnight lodging and all Phantom Ranch reservations through October 31, 2026. For reservations that extend beyond October 31, we are adjusting arrival dates to November 1 for the remainder of the stay. The National Park Service has announced tentative plans to begin restoring water to the South Rim in mid to late November, which would allow a phased return to welcoming overnight guests, https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-announces-projected-dates-for-restoring-water-to-south-rim.htm. These are estimated dates provided by the National Park Service and could change as repairs progress. We will update the website and notify affected guests directly if the closure is extended or as timing becomes clearer. Guests arriving November 1 and later who wish to modify their reservation now, rather than wait, are welcome to do so. For the latest park conditions, please consult the NPS website at nps.gov/grca.

My reservation arrives after October 31. Could it still be affected?
Reservations arriving November 1 and later are currently still in place. The National Park Service has announced tentative plans to begin restoring water to the South Rim in mid to late November, which would allow a phased return to welcoming overnight guests. These dates are estimates provided by the National Park Service and could change, and a phased return means not all lodges or dates may be available right away. We are monitoring conditions closely and will contact affected guests directly if anything changes. There is no obligation to make any changes now. If you would prefer to modify your reservation rather than wait, you are welcome to move to one of our properties outside the park or to a future date. To make changes or ask questions, you may rebook online or use web chat.

Can I reschedule instead of canceling?
We would be happy to assist you with rescheduling. If your reservation was already cancelled you can rebook online at www.grandcanyonlodges.com, use web chat to move to another location or a future date. Please note that hold times may be long due to high volumes.

My email said my reservation was canceled but my dates are after October 31. Am I okay?
Only reservations for arrivals through October 31, 2026 have been canceled. If your reservation arrives November 1 or later, it has not been canceled. If your stay was set to arrive on or before October 31 and extend into November 1 and beyond, your arrival date is being adjusted to November 1 for the remainder of your stay. Guests arriving November 1 and beyond may also modify their reservation to a future date if desired.

Closures and Refunds

Is my hotel inside the park closed, and will I get a full refund?
Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge and El Tovar Hotel are unable to accommodate overnight guests from August 31 through October 31, 2026 due to Stage 4 water restrictions following flood damage to the water source infrastructure. If your reservation was affected, it was automatically canceled and your deposit refund will be issued within 7 to 10 business days.

Which specific lodges are closed?
Guests with existing reservations arriving through October 31, 2026 at Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, and El Tovar Hotel were emailed a notice advising of the closure and cancellations. Separately, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail are closed until further notice, and Phantom Ranch reservations are being canceled through October 31, 2026. For the latest conditions, see nps.gov/grca.

Can I move my reservation to a hotel outside the park?
Yes. We welcome you to rebook at one of our properties just outside the park boundary in Tusayan or Williams, AZ: The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Hotel & Suites, or the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Moving your stay requires booking a new reservation outside the park and canceling your existing in-park reservation. You may do this online, through web chat.

If I cancel due to the flood, is that penalty-free?
Reservations inside the park affected by the closure (August 31 through October 31, 2026) are being canceled automatically with deposit refunds issued within 7 to 10 business days. If your reservation falls outside those dates and you wish to make a change, you may do so online or with one of our live representatives.

Safety, Access, and Operations

Is it safe to visit the South Rim even with flooding in the canyon?
Day visitors are still welcome, and the park remains open. Park services remain available with adjustments to support water conservation efforts. For the most up-to-date conditions, please consult the NPS website at nps.gov/grca.

Should I bring my own water when visiting the South Rim?
We always recommend bringing water and staying hydrated when visiting the Grand Canyon, and this is especially wise right now. While water restrictions are in effect, we encourage day visitors to arrive with a full reusable water bottle and to carry plenty of water for any walking or hiking. Water bottle filling stations are available at various locations on the South Rim. For the latest guidance on water availability and conditions, please consult the National Park Service at nps.gov/grca.

Are the kennels open?
The in-park kennel is currently closed until further notice. If you are planning a visit and need pet accommodations, please contact us so we can assist. For the latest park conditions, please consult the National Park Service at nps.gov/grca.

Are the trails open, specifically Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and North Kaibab?
The entire North Kaibab Trail is closed until further notice, along with the Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River. For current status on all other trails, including Bright Angel and South Kaibab, please check the National Park Service at nps.gov/grca, as trail conditions can change.

Is the train still running?
The Grand Canyon Railway continues to operate as normal.

Are tours and bus rides still operating?
Many activities are still operating. Canyon Vista and Havasupai Garden mule rides along the rim are running, and the Bright Angel activities desk is open to help you plan. Some services have been adjusted or suspended to support water conservation, including Phantom Ranch mule and duffle service. Because offerings can change, please check www.grandcanyonlodges.com and nps.gov/grca for the latest.

My reservation is for a tour or activity only, not lodging. Is it still happening?
Yes. We are currently still operating all tours and activities. Your tour or activity reservation is not affected by the lodging closure. If anything changes, we will let you know.

Are the roads in and out of the park passable?
The flooding occurred inside the Grand Canyon and did not directly impact any roads within or to and from the Grand Canyon South Rim. The park remains open to day visitors. For real-time road and access conditions, please consult the National Park Service at nps.gov/grca.

Are the restaurants, gift shops, museums, and lookout points open and accessible?
Yes. The park remains open to day visitors, and there is still plenty to enjoy on the South Rim. To support water conservation, dining hours and locations have been adjusted, so while some restaurants are temporarily closed, others remain open for meals throughout the day, including a cafe, a steakhouse for dinner, a grab-and-go, and a food truck. Most gift shops and historic points of interest, including the El Tovar and Bright Angel gift shops, the Bright Angel History Room, Hopi House, Lookout Studio, and Hermit’s Rest, remain open, as do the rim overlooks and viewpoints. Because hours may change based on conditions, please visit www.grandcanyonlodges.com for the most up-to-date dining and shopping hours. Note that the Phantom Ranch Canteen is closed until further notice.

What is there to do on the South Rim right now?
There is still a great deal to experience. The rim overlooks and viewpoints are open, the Rim Trail and other South Rim trails remain accessible, and Canyon Vista and Havasupai Garden mule rides along the rim are operating. Historic sites and gift shops including Hopi House, Lookout Studio, the Bright Angel History Room, and Hermit’s Rest are open, and dining is available at several locations throughout the day. For the latest hours and offerings, please visit www.grandcanyonlodges.com, and for trail conditions consult the National Park Service at nps.gov/grca.

What is currently closed or unavailable?
To support water conservation, some services are temporarily closed. Dining locations that are currently closed include the El Tovar Dining Room, El Tovar Lounge, Maswik Food Court, Maswik Pizza Pub, and Bright Angel Tavern. The Maswik gift shop and the Maswik activities desk are closed. Phantom Ranch is closed, including its canteen, overnight lodging, mule rides, and duffle service. The in-park kennel is closed until further notice. The North Kaibab Trail and the Colorado River bridges are also closed. Other restaurants, shops, historic sites, mule rides along the rim, and the overlooks remain open, with adjusted hours posted at www.grandcanyonlodges.com.

Damage, Repairs, and Broader Impact

How bad was the damage, how long will repairs take, and are there still people missing?
We know how important this is. Flash-flood damage to water infrastructure serving Phantom Ranch and the Grand Canyon South Rim has led to Stage 4 water restrictions, and all Grand Canyon South Rim Lodges guests and employees are safe and accounted for. The National Park Service has announced tentative plans to begin restoring water in mid to late November, though these dates are estimates and could change. For questions about park conditions, search and rescue, or the broader flood response, the National Park Service is the authority: nps.gov/grca.

Phantom Ranch

Phantom Ranch is currently closed and we have cancelled reservations through October 31, 2026. This includes closed for overnight guests as well as any other services through the Phantom Ranch canteen. We will update the website and notify guests if the cancellation is extended.

Guests with reservations November 1 and beyond may modify their reservations to a future date if desired. The trails are currently closed making Phantom Ranch inaccessible. Guests should visit www.grandcanyonlodges.com for updates about Phantom Ranch and nps.gov/grca for information about trails and trail conditions.

We are experiencing high volumes and appreciate patience when requesting to speak with a live agent.