Basics
- Location:
- North Rim of the grand Canyon Area
- Vehicle Type:
- 4wd Vehicle,
High Clearance Vehicle
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Season:
- Year round
Description
Details
Location:
Vehicle Type:
High Clearance Vehicle
Difficulty:
The driving ability needed for this trip is beginner, but preparation for mishaps on this trip must NOT be overlooked.
Time:
Season:
Additional Details:
Segments of the roads described here are winding, rough and rocky. Motorhomes and travel trailers are not recommended. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Four-wheel drive may sometimes be necessary. Motorized vehicles must remain on existing roads and trails. The roads are unpaved and in wet weather can become muddy and dangerous. We advise visitors to prepare for bad weather as the Strip is not patrolled on a regular basis.
If your vehicle breaks down along some of these routes, you may be on your own for some time. Before starting out, tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return.
Road numbers have been posted at intersections and correspond to the BLM Arizona Strip Visitor''s Map, for sale at the office.
Public lands throughout the area are open for camping. There is a fourteen-day maximum stay limit. BLM does not require fees or permits for backcountry camping and the State of Arizona requests that you do not camp within one-fourth mile of any watering device or reservoir.
Bureau of Land Management - Arizona Strip Field Office
345 E. Riverside Dr.
St. George UT 84790
435-688-3200
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Whitmore Canyon (90 miles from St. George)
Follow directions above as far as the old town site of Mt. Trumbull. From there, continue straight south at the four-way intersection onto Road #257. Approximately 2¾ miles after the intersection, bear left onto BLM #1045. Stay on this road all the way to the overlook. There are some steep, rocky stretches where four-wheel-drive may be necessary. A high-clearance vehicle is needed where the road crosses over two old lava flows in the last six miles. From the overlook, you can see the inner canyon and the Colorado River. A foot trail leads down to the river.
Twin Points (100 miles) or Kelly Point (115 miles)
From the Diamond Butte intersection, follow the signs for Poverty Mountain (right turn onto Road #103). For Twin Points, follow signs for Oak Grove and turn right on BLM Road #1019. Mount Dellenbaugh is the dominant mountain to the southeast. Remain on 1019 and you will pass a BLM administrative site. Stay to the right at the following junctions and continue south to the end of the road at Twin Points overlook. From here, you are looking over the Sanup Plateau of the Grand Canyon. The inner canyon is to the south.
The road to Kelly Point is much longer and rougher. It is usually a two-day round trip from St. George. For Kelly Point, stay on #103 instead of turning onto #1019. Travel through the pine forest and past the Park Service fire station (operated only in summer). Stay on this road as it turns south to Kelly Point. The last 20 miles are extremely rough and rocky. The average speed on this stretch is probably 5 mph. Vehicles without high clearance are not recommended.
