Parashant National Monument

Explore a remote wilderness area in the northwest corner of Arizona.

This stretch of Arizona backcountry is difficult to reach. From Flagstaff, take Highway 89 north almost to the Arizona-Utah border, then cut west through the rugged canyonlands north of the Grand Canyon. The reward for the journey is a pristine, lightly trafficked area in arguably the most beautiful corner of the state. Visitors can expect no cell service and very little human contact in this area. Get a permit for backcountry camping and drop off the grid.

Go Off Road

A significant portion of this protected natural area is located along the northern edge of the Grand Canyon. The terrain here is rough and the sandy, loose-rock roads can become impassable after storms. Visitors certainly need high-clearance vehicles to explore the hundreds of miles of backcountry roads that lead past rugged rock formations and through sweeping high-desert landscapes. Make sure the tires are in good shape, including a spare tire just in case. Visitors are encouraged to check the weather forecast, pack more supplies than they think they need and tell someone where they are going and when they plan to come back out.

Visit Points of Interest

This uncrowded natural experience offers solitude with a few manmade structures to see. Tuweep was once a collection of pioneer homesteads tied to ranching operations. Today, the dirt road to Tuweep leads to an amazing overlook of the Grand Canyon that few people get to see. Step to the edge of a gorge that drops down 3,000 feet to the Colorado River below. See other signs of civilization along the Mount Trumbull Scenic Loop drive, which passes Pipe Spring National Monument. The site features a natural spring that sustained indigenous communities and pioneers for centuries.

See Neighboring Sites

Visitors have to commit to make the journey to Parashant. While in this scenic corner of Arizona, take time to visit other natural wonders. At the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, expect much less traffic and fewer visitors than at the South Rim. Also add Vermillion Cliffs to the itinerary to see unusual rock formations and puzzling slot canyons. Jacob Lake is the last gateway community along the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Visitors up for a strenuous, high-elevation hike can add a segment of the 800-mile Arizona Trail to the trip.