The difficult water situation at the Grand Canyon National Park is poised to disrupt RV camping well into the fall, according to some of the latest reports. Trailer Village, the South Rim’s only full-hookup RV park has been closed since August, and other campgrounds are operating under strict water restrictions.
Park officials say water distribution may not begin until Thanksgiving, which is why there is little information about the reopening of that RV park.
All of this is tied to the August flash flood that destroyed a water intake pump and damaged other infrastructure in Bright Angel Canyon. It damaged roughly 40 percent of the old pipeline between the Phantom Ranch area and the North Rim. A second flood on September 16 damaged temporary water infrastructure crews were building to restore service.
Mather Campground is one of the locations that remains open and is accepting reservations through Recreation.gov, but it’s running as a dry campground under Stage 4 water restrictions. Drinking-water spigots, regular restrooms, showers and laundry are unavailable, and portable toilets have been brought in. There are no RV hookups, and the nearby Camper Services building that normally provides showers and laundry is closed.
Desert View Campground is also open for dry camping, but advance reservations are required. Its scheduled season ends October 18, and water restrictions could affect campers through the rest of that season.