South Kaibab Trail

UPDATED FRIDAY JANUARY 17, 2025:  On Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 5 p.m., the SCADA system alerted the Water Utilities team to a chlorine gas leak at the Roaring Springs Pumphouse. A park incident command team was mobilized, and aerial reconnaissance confirmed no hikers were in the area. As a precaution, inner canyon trails were temporarily closed.

The next morning, Jan. 16, Water Utilities staff and firefighters were flown to the site. They located and repaired a minor chlorine gas leak. After verifying there was no risk to public safety, the trails were reopened.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. – A chlorine gas leak in the park’s main water supply has led to the closure of several inner canyon corridor trails, including the North Kaibab, Bright Angel Trail, and South Kaibab trails. The closures affect both day hikers and overnight visitors and will remain in place until further notice.

The leak occurred at Roaring Springs, the primary source of drinking water for the park. Officials explained that water from the spring is disinfected with chlorine gas to control microbes. Cylinders of chlorine gas are routinely flown to the site for treatment purposes.

The North Kaibab Trail, which provides views of Roaring Springs, is among the affected areas. A buried pipeline beneath this trail carries treated springwater to other parts of the park. Similarly, the Bright Angel Trail is impacted, with the pipeline running along the underside of the Silver Bridge. The South Kaibab Trail is also closed due to the incident.

Park officials are working to resolve the issue and ensure the safety of visitors and staff before reopening the trails.

The gas leak has not required the park to close nor has it any impact on the Grand Canyon Visitor Center IMAX.  The center is fully open for business.  Experience the interior of the Grand Canyon in IMAX by watching Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time.