| There
is no paved road access into the monument. During dry periods grated
dirt roads, are passable by 2-wheel drive vehicles, but may become impassable
when wet. Use only well equipped, four-wheel drive vehicles in good
mechanical condition with full-sized spare tires to travel alternative
routes. Roads not recommended for motor homes or travel trailers.
Paved roads include
Interstate 15, which cuts across the extreme northwest corner, and U.S.
Highway 389 and 89-Alternate across the north central portion.
For the purpose
of protecting the objects identified in the Monument’s Proclamation,
no areas in the Monument are authorized for cross-country, off-road
vehicular use. Drive only on designated roads or routes. Emergency closures
may occur to protect Monument resources.
Click on GCPARA map; photo of broken down vehicle
Safety
Tell someone where
you are going and when you will return - if you break down stay with
your vehicle.
Cellular phones
do not work in most areas on the Arizona Strip so don’t rely on
them in an emergency.
Take enough clothing
to accommodate drastic weather changes.
Take extra water
and food.
Take one or two
good, full-sized spare tire(s).
Take parts and
tools to accommodate vehicle and tire repairs.
Watch for livestock
and wildlife on roadways. (Leave gates as you find them.)
Regulations
Motorized vehicles
must remain on existing roads.
All vehicles, including
ATV’s and motorcycles and their operators need to be licensed.
All such vehicles
are required to be “street legal” on all county and National
Park Service administered roads. Regulations may differ between Bureau
of Land Management and National Park Service within the monuments, so
if in doubt call the law enforcement office at (435) 688-3280.
No motorized vehicles
are allowed in wilderness areas.
Camping
There are no developed campgrounds
within the monument.
There are undeveloped campsites
along primary roads that we recommend you use although public lands
throughout the monument are open for camping
There is a 14-day maximum
stay limit.
There are no fees or permits
required for backcountry camping.
Do not camp within 1/4 –mile
of any water source or reservoir.
Sites do not have
toilet facilities. Walk away from camp and dig a hole about 6 to 8 inches
deep. (Spread out toilet sites.) Cover the hole with dirt when finished.
Toilet paper should be returned to camp and deposited in your camp garbage
bag.
Wildlife
Hazards
Wildlife carries disease such as rabies, hantavirus and plague, which
can be transmitted to humans.
Hantavirus: Deer mice and
other rodents are carriers of this acute respiratory disease. The most
likely source of infection is from rodent urine and droppings inhaled
as aerosols and dust. Avoid areas where rodents may congregate such
as burrows, nests, or abandoned structures.
Plague is a bacterial disease
and is routinely found in rodents, rabbits and certain carnivorous animals.
Humans contract plague through fleabites or direct contact with infected
tissues. Do not handle live or dead animals, and avoid burrows and nests.
Rabies: Avoid contact
with any sick or dead animal. To prevent your pet’s interaction
with wild animals, do not allow them off leash. (Be sure your pets are
immunized.) Incubation period varies from one to three months with symptoms
that include pain, followed by tingling at the site of the animal bite,
and sensitive skin. Seek medical attention immediately.
For more information,
contact your local health department.
Wilderness:
The wilderness system was established to assure that, with the increasing
population and growing mechanization, not all areas were occupied
and modified by human presence.
There are three
designated wilderness areas and a portion of a fourth within the Monument’s
- Bureau of Land Management lands - Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness,
Mount Logan Wilderness, Mount Trumbull, and Paiute Wilderness. The
majority of National Park Service lands within the Monument are proposed
wilderness, which defines areas that have been proposed for wilderness
designation, but have not yet been designated by Congress. By law,
proposed wilderness areas are to be managed as designated wilderness
until Congress makes the final determination.
Grand
Wash Cliffs Wilderness
This 12-mile stretch of Grand Wash Cliffs contains 36,300 acres
remote territory. Rugged canyons, scenic escarpments and miles of
cliffs and sandstone buttes mark the transition between the Colorado
Plateau and the Basin and Range physiographic provinces. The two
sets of cliffs are habitat for Desert Bighorn sheep and raptors,
while the low desert is home to the Desert Tortoise.
Mount
Trumbull Wilderness
Rising 3,000 feet (900m) above Toroweap Valley, Mount Trumbull’s
basalt-capped mesa and slopes are part of this 7,900 acres of wilderness.
Surrounding these basalt ledges pinyon-juniper woodlands share space
with ponderosa pine forests, groves of scrub oak, and shimmering
quaking aspen.
Mount
Logan Wilderness
The 14,600 acre Mount Logan Wilderness on the Uinkaret Mountains
contains basalt ledges, pinyon-juniper woodlands, ponderosa pine
forests, and large a large colorful amphitheater-shaped depression
known as Hell’s Hole.
Paiute
Wilderness
The Virgin Mountains form the backbone of this 84,700-acre wilderness.
Home to over 250 wildlife species, the area’s landscape varies
from 8,000 foot pine forests (2,400m) to desert flatlands at 2,400
feet (720m).
Recreation
Management Zones
| Recreation
Factors |
Country
Roads |
Backcountry
Pathways |
Primitive
Passages |
| Difficulty
Rating |
Easy |
Difficult |
Advanced |
| Vehicle
recommendations |
Sedan (on selected roads during good weather)
Sport Vehicle
Moderate clearance
Touring/Enduro motorcycle
Mountain bicycle |
2-wheel drive in most areas
4-wheel drive/ATV in some areas
Enduro/Dirt motorcycles
Mountain bicycle |
Generally non-motorized
4-wheel drive in some areas
Dirt motorcycle
Mountain bicycle |
| Primary
activities |
Sightseeing
Camping
Visiting cultural sites
Viewing wildlife
Photography
Driving for pleasure
Picnicking
Hunting
|
Sightseeing
Camping
Visiting cultural sites
Viewing wildlife
Photography
Driving for pleasure
Picnicking
Hunting
Hiking
Backpacking
Experience solitude |
Sightseeing
Camping
Visiting cultural sites
Viewing wildlife
Photography
Hunting
Sightseeing
Hiking
Experience solitude
|
| Time
investment
|
1
or more days |
1
or more days |
1
or more days |
| Degree
of solitude |
Moderate |
Excellent |
Outstanding |
| Map
reading skills needed |
Moderate/High
|
Moderate/High
|
High |
| Survival
skills needed |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
High |
| Likelihood
of getting lost if unprepared |
Moderate
|
Moderate/High
|
High |
| Likelihood
of getting help if stranded |
Moderate
|
Low |
Very low |
| Probable
waiting time for first contact with another party |
1
hour to several hours |
Several
hours to several days |
Several
hours to several days |
| Probable
waiting time for summoned help to arrive |
3
hours |
4
to 6 hours |
6
+ hours |
| Drinking
water availability |
No
|
No
|
No |
| Gasoline
availability |
No
|
No
|
No |
| Accommodations
availability (motel, hookups) |
No
|
No
|
No |
| Groceries,
eating establishments |
No
|
No
|
No |
| Typical
road type |
Improved
gravel or dirt - frequent, moderate maintenance |
Improved
gravel or dirt, infrequent, low maintenance |
Un-maintained
or not present |
| Range
of road conditions |
Good
to muddy/impassable |
Fair
to impassable |
No
roads to very poor |
| Level
of informational, directional, or interpretive signing |
No
|
No
|
No |
| Available
informational flyers, brochures, etc. |
No
|
No
|
No |
| Visitor
Centers, interpretive sites |
No
|
No
|
No |
| Developed
Campgrounds, picnic areas
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
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