- Region
- AZ, USA
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Ordinary visits require no permits or pass…
- Managed by
- Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Strip Field Office
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Photos of Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness
How to get there
Regional access is available from Bunkerville, Nevada, by driving south on Gold Butte Road west of the Virgin Mountains. An alternate approach runs south from St. George, Utah, onto the Arizona Strip through higher terrain that may be impassable in winter or wet weather. Trailhead access is described on the northeast and southern sides of the wilderness, but confirm the connecting roads and legal access with the Arizona Strip Field Office at 435-688-3200. Do not cross nonfederal land south of the wilderness without permission.
- Bunkerville–Gold Butte Road approach
Regional approach from Bunkerville, Nevada, heading south on Gold Butte Road along the west side of the Virgin Mountains. Confirm the onward connection to wilderness access before departure; this is an approach corridor, not a specified trailhead.
- St. George–Arizona Strip approach
Alternate regional approach heading south from St. George, Utah, onto the Arizona Strip. Higher terrain may be impassable in winter and wet weather. Confirm road conditions and the final trailhead connection before traveling.
Sources: blm.gov · University of Montana / federal agency partners · Wilderness Connect / federal wilderness boundary inventory · Wikipedia. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
AZ, USA · United States
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Canoeing
Two steps from desert to plateau
Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness protects 37,030 acres in extreme northwestern Arizona, within Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. Its defining feature is a 12-mile stretch of cliffs marking the transition between the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range provinces. The escarpment rises in two enormous steps: a lower wall about 2,000 feet high and an upper rise of about 1,000 feet to the Shivwits Plateau. Between them sits a shelf one to three miles wide, interrupted by deeply cut canyons. Sandstone buttes and broken escarpments give the terrain complexity beyond the main cliff faces. Elevations range from approximately 2,650 to nearly 6,700 feet, taking visitors from Mojave Desert shrubs into pinyon-juniper woodland. This is a remote, undeveloped landscape for walking, backpacking, photography, and solitude—not a roadside overlook with an easy approach.
Hiking and conditions
An 11-mile maintained trail traverses the wilderness above the Grand Wash Cliffs through pinyon-juniper country. Canyon hiking offers a rougher alternative, with tough scrambling toward the top of the escarpment. Neither the cliff height nor the trail length should be mistaken for an access description: reaching the wilderness is difficult, and approach planning matters as much as the walk itself. Conditions also change sharply with elevation. Lower country can be very hot in summer, while higher terrain has warmer days and cooler nights. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common. Winter and early spring can bring snow and cold to the highest elevations, even when the lower desert has moderate temperatures. Carry water and clothing suited to the elevation range, and leave room to turn back rather than force a canyon ascent. The hiking trail is not hardened, and the undeveloped terrain presents accessibility challenges.
Access, wildlife, and wilderness use
Plan supplies and services in St. George, Utah, or Mesquite, Nevada; visitor services and facilities are in nearby communities rather than inside the wilderness. Before committing to an approach, confirm road conditions and legal access with the Bureau of Land Management’s Arizona Strip Field Office. Some land south of the wilderness is not federally administered and must not be crossed or used without permission. Ordinary wilderness visits require no permits, passes, or fees. Commercial, competitive, and large organized group events require a special recreation permit, while recreation on nearby Arizona state trust land requires a state permit. Backpacking and dispersed camping are among the activities available here. Desert tortoises, gila monsters, and desert bighorn sheep inhabit the cliffs and surrounding desert; watch without approaching or disturbing them. Keep travel and camping low-impact in this sparse landscape, where solitude comes with limited support.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 36.4559, -113.7829
- Latitude (DMS)
- 36° 27′ 21.4″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 113° 46′ 58.3″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
You won't find the Colorado River, the force of nature that eons ago carved the Grand Wash Cliffs of Arizona, anywhere near the cliffs themselves. Today the Colorado flows about 20 miles to the south...
Key takeaways
- Region: AZ, USA
- Country: United States
- Good for: hiking
- Coordinates: 36.456, -113.783
Intended uses
hiking
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
- Skiing
Ski-touring access when the road closes for the season.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
Animals around Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness
Two steps from desert to plateau
Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness protects 37,030 acres in extreme northwestern Arizona, within Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. Its defining feature is a 12-mile stretch of cliffs marking the transition between the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range provinces. The escarpment rises in two enormous steps: a lower wall about 2,000 feet high and an upper rise of about 1,000 feet to the Shivwits Plateau. Between them sits a shelf one to three miles wide, interrupted by deeply cut canyons. Sandstone buttes and broken escarpments give the terrain complexity beyond the main cliff faces. Elevations range from approximately 2,650 to nearly 6,700 feet, taking visitors from Mojave Desert shrubs into pinyon-juniper woodland. This is a remote, undeveloped landscape for walking, backpacking, photography, and solitude—not a roadside overlook with an easy approach.
Hiking and conditions
An 11-mile maintained trail traverses the wilderness above the Grand Wash Cliffs through pinyon-juniper country. Canyon hiking offers a rougher alternative, with tough scrambling toward the top of the escarpment. Neither the cliff height nor the trail length should be mistaken for an access description: reaching the wilderness is difficult, and approach planning matters as much as the walk itself. Conditions also change sharply with elevation. Lower country can be very hot in summer, while higher terrain has warmer days and cooler nights. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common. Winter and early spring can bring snow and cold to the highest elevations, even when the lower desert has moderate temperatures. Carry water and clothing suited to the elevation range, and leave room to turn back rather than force a canyon ascent. The hiking trail is not hardened, and the undeveloped terrain presents accessibility challenges.
Access, wildlife, and wilderness use
Plan supplies and services in St. George, Utah, or Mesquite, Nevada; visitor services and facilities are in nearby communities rather than inside the wilderness. Before committing to an approach, confirm road conditions and legal access with the Bureau of Land Management’s Arizona Strip Field Office. Some land south of the wilderness is not federally administered and must not be crossed or used without permission. Ordinary wilderness visits require no permits, passes, or fees. Commercial, competitive, and large organized group events require a special recreation permit, while recreation on nearby Arizona state trust land requires a state permit. Backpacking and dispersed camping are among the activities available here. Desert tortoises, gila monsters, and desert bighorn sheep inhabit the cliffs and surrounding desert; watch without approaching or disturbing them. Keep travel and camping low-impact in this sparse landscape, where solitude comes with limited support.
Route options
- Above-cliffs wilderness traverse11 miles
A maintained trail traverses the length of the wilderness above the Grand Wash Cliffs through pinyon-juniper woodland. Trailhead access is available from the northeast or southern sides; confirm endpoints and approach roads before planning the traverse.
- Canyon scrambling toward the cliff topsTough scrambling and rugged canyon hiking
Several canyons cut deeply into the escarpment and offer rugged hiking and scrambling toward the top. This is a terrain-based option rather than a specified named route; choose an objective only after assessing navigation, conditions, and the ability to reverse difficult sections.
Sample itineraries
- Cliff Country Day Hike · 1 day
Plan a conservative out-and-back focused on the sandstone buttes, escarpments and Mojave Desert vegetation. Confirm access with the Arizona Strip Field Office before traveling. Choose a turnaround suited to the rugged terrain rather than committing to a canyon ascent.
- Pinyon-Juniper Backpack · 2 days
Build an overnight trip around the 11-mile maintained trail above the Grand Wash Cliffs. Confirm trailhead access and current trail conditions before choosing an out-and-back or arranging transportation between ends. Carry sufficient water and prepare for cooler nights in the higher woodland.
- Wildlife and Landscape Day · 1 day
Use a short hike for photography and quiet wildlife observation rather than a demanding scramble. Look across the transition from Mojave Desert shrubs to cliff country. Watch for desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoises and Gila monsters without approaching or handling them.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Early spring into later spring
Highest elevations can retain snow and cold conditions in early spring. Lower desert and upper woodland conditions differ substantially. Wet weather can make higher access routes impassable; check conditions before committing to an approach.
Summer
Summer
Low elevations often become very hot. Higher elevations have warm days and cool nights, with common afternoon thunderstorms. Plan conservative hiking days, carry sufficient water and avoid exposed cliff terrain when storms threaten.
Fall
Fall
Plan around the elevation difference rather than expecting uniform conditions. Higher woodland is generally cooler and wetter than the lower desert. Check forecasts for the elevations on the itinerary and verify access after wet weather.
Winter
Winter
Lower elevations generally have moderate temperatures and snow-free recreation opportunities. Highest elevations can receive snow and cold weather despite frequent sunny days. Higher access routes may be impassable.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Early spring into later spring | Highest elevations can retain snow and cold conditions in early spring. Lower desert and upper woodland conditions differ substantially. Wet weather can make higher access routes impassable; check conditions before committing to an approach. |
| Summer | Summer | Low elevations often become very hot. Higher elevations have warm days and cool nights, with common afternoon thunderstorms. Plan conservative hiking days, carry sufficient water and avoid exposed cliff terrain when storms threaten. |
| Fall | Fall | Plan around the elevation difference rather than expecting uniform conditions. Higher woodland is generally cooler and wetter than the lower desert. Check forecasts for the elevations on the itinerary and verify access after wet weather. |
| Winter | Winter | Lower elevations generally have moderate temperatures and snow-free recreation opportunities. Highest elevations can receive snow and cold weather despite frequent sunny days. Higher access routes may be impassable. |
Permits, fees & closures
Ordinary visits require no permits or passes. Commercial, competitive and large organized group events require a special recreation permit; contact the Arizona Strip Field Office. Recreation on nearby Arizona state trust land requires a State of Arizona permit.
Fees: There are no fees to visit Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness.
Official source: Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness Area - Utah · Verified October 29, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Towering cliffs, deeply cut canyons and tough scrambling demand careful route selection. Do not assume a canyon provides a safe passage to the plateau.
- Very hot summer conditions at low elevations increase heat and dehydration risk. Carry sufficient water rather than relying on an unconfirmed supply.
- Summer afternoon thunderstorms can make exposed cliff terrain a poor choice. Adjust plans to the forecast.
- Snow and cold affect the highest elevations in winter and early spring. Higher access routes may be impassable in winter or wet weather.
- Access is difficult and the wilderness is remote. Visitor services are in nearby communities, not within the wilderness; carry navigation and emergency supplies.
- Some land south of the wilderness is not federally administered. Do not cross or use it without the landowner's permission.
What to pack for Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness
- Arizona Strip Visitor Map and detailed terrain maps
- Offline navigation with backup power
- First-aid kit
- Emergency communication device
- Sufficient drinking water and carrying capacity
- Sun hat, sunscreen and protective clothing
- Sturdy footwear for rugged canyon terrain
- Food and extra supplies for delays
- Warm layers for cool nights
- Rain protection for summer thunderstorms
- Shelter and sleeping gear appropriate to elevation
- Headlamp with spare power
Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness FAQ
- Where is Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness?
- It lies in extreme northwestern Arizona within Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. Managed by the BLM's Arizona Strip Field Office, its 37,030 acres protect a 12-mile stretch of cliffs at the transition between the Colorado Plateau and Basin and Range provinces.
- How do you reach the wilderness?
- Regional approaches include Gold Butte Road south from Bunkerville, Nevada, and higher terrain south from St. George, Utah, onto the Arizona Strip. Trailhead access is on the northeast or southern sides. Confirm the exact approach, land status and road conditions with the Arizona Strip Field Office at 435-688-3200.
- Are there maintained trails?
- An 11-mile maintained trail traverses the wilderness above the cliffs through pinyon-juniper woodland. Canyon hiking can involve tough scrambling. Confirm current conditions and trailhead access before choosing a route.
- Are there facilities or accessible paths?
- This is an undeveloped, primitive setting. Visitor services and facilities are in nearby communities, including St. George and Mesquite. The hiking trail is not hardened, and rugged terrain presents accessibility challenges.
- Can you camp or ride a bicycle here?
- Backpacking and dispersed camping are available activities. Motorized equipment and mechanical transport, including bicycles, are generally prohibited in wilderness. Confirm any trip-specific requirements with the managing field office.
- Is the Colorado River beside the cliffs?
- No. The Colorado River flows about 20 miles south of the cliffs. Do not plan on river access or river water as part of a wilderness hike here.