Location and Description

This 75,300-acre wilderness (6,700, administered by BLM; 68,600, administered by the Forest Service) straddles the Mohave/Coconino County line, approximately 30 miles south of Fredonia, Arizona.

Kanab Creek is the largest tributary canyon system on the north side of the Grand Canyon. It is rich in colorful rock formations, water and wind carved features, and deeply incised canyons. Numerous springs and the variety of plants they support provide an interesting contrast to the generally arid terrain. The canyon cliffs are home to bands of desert bighorn sheep as well as the endangered peregrine falcon.

Recreation opportunities include backpacking, camping, watching wildlife, horseback riding, sightseeing and photography.

Access

Access to the western portion of the wilderness is Arizona State Road 389, the Mt. Trumbull road (Mohave County Road 109), and the Hacks Canyon (BLM 1023) road (four-wheel-drive vehicles only). The eastern portion can be reached by U.S. Highway 89-A and Forest Service roads 22, 423, 201, and 233. The Arizona Strip Field Office has a visitor map which shows wilderness areas and roads in detail.

Nonfederal Lands

One parcel of land at the confluence of Snake Gulch with Kanab Creek is private land. Please respect the property rights of the owner and do not cross or use these lands without permission.

Related Maps

• 7.5-minute Topographic: Toothpick Ridge, Gunsight Point, Grama Spring, Jumpup Point, Sowats Spring, Fishtail, Kanab Point;
• also, Arizona Strip District Visitor Map
• 1:100,000 BLM Surface Management:  Fredonia, Grand Canyon
• Game and Fish Management Units 13A, 12A, 12B

For more information contact:

  Arizona Strip Field Office 
345 East Riverside Drive
St. George, UT 84790-6714
Phone: (435) 688-3200
Fax: (435) 688-3258
Field Manager:  Lorraine Christian 
Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Saturday

or

North Kaibab Ranger District
Kaibab National Forest
430 South Main
Fredonia, Arizona 86022
(520) 643-7395

"How many generations will pass before it will have become nearly impossible to be alone even for an hour, . . . to see anywhere nature as she is without man's improvements?"
Joseph Wool Krutch, 1958