Grand Canyon National Park Crews Installing, Ahem, New Vault Toilets on South Rim

Four new vault toilets, somewhat similar to this one, are going in on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. U.S. Forest Service photo.

Call it a slow news day, but those heeding the call of nature no doubt will be pleased to hear that new vault toilets are being installed along Desert View Drive on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. And the restrooms at Desert View are being renovated as well!

The vault toilets are going in at the South Kaibab Trailhead, Grandview Overlook and Trailhead, Buggeln Hill Picnic Area, and Tusayan Museum. Though not the $70,000-apiece biodegradable toilets like the one a Japanese firm donated to Mount Rainier National Park back in 2007, these new johns no doubt will be appreciated by many.

The renovation of the Desert View restroom involves new interior fixtures and finishes, and the building’s exterior cinder block walls will receive native stone and stucco treatments that will be compatible with the park’s vernacular architecture, according to a park release.

Construction at Desert View began earlier this week, and is expected to last approximately 45 days. Construction activities are scheduled for weekdays and Saturdays during daylight hours. Portable toilets will be provided for visitor use during construction.

Excavation for the vault toilets along Desert View Drive should begin late this month, with staggered delivery and installation of the prefabricated concrete buildings scheduled for early to mid-November. It is anticipated that vehicular traffic will be halted at each site while the prefab buildings are delivered and set into place. As part of this project, new concrete and asphalt walks will be constructed for better accessibility by the public.

Funding for this $597,000 project comes from park entrance fees through the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.