Visit Wilderness

Location

Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness is located in extreme northwestern Arizona approximately 30 miles, as the crow flies, south of Beaver Dam, Arizona. Access can be made via Bunkerville, Nevada by driving south on the Gold Butte Road which skirts west of the Virgin Mountains. Alternate access in higher terrain (may be impassable in winter and in wet weather) can be attained by driving south from St. George, Utah onto the Arizona Strip. The Arizona Strip Visitor Map provides regional information on routes, land status, and recreation opportunities. It can be purchased at the St. George Interagency Office at 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah, telephone (435) 688-3200.

Access to the trailheads through the Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness can be made on the northeast or southern sides of the wilderness.

All visitor services and facilities are located in nearby communities (St. George, Utah and Mesquite, Nevada) No accommodations are made for disabled visitors in the wilderness and the hiking trail is not hardened.

Maps

Digital and paper maps are critical tools for wilderness visitors. Online maps can help you plan and prepare for your visit ahead of time. You can also carry digital maps with you on your GPS unit or other handheld GPS device. Having a paper map with you in the backcountry, as well as solid orienteering skills, however, ensures that you can still route-find in the event that your electronic device fails.

Online Maps

• Interactive Map of the Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness

• Google Earth

• Arizona Wildernesses

Printed Maps

• Fetching MyTopo from Database
• USGS Store

Applicable Wilderness Law(s)

General Trip Planning Information

Access roads to this remote wilderness may be impassable at times during the winter or summer monsoon season. Maps and information are available at the Interagency Offices at 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah (435 688-3200).

Recreational Opportunities

This remote wilderness provides excellent opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. Appropriate recreation includes hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, photography, wildlife viewing, and primitive camping.

Climate and Special Equipment Needs

Temperatures can be extreme (below freezing in the winter to above 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer), especially in the lower Mojave Desert portions of the wilderness. Snow and muddy conditions may occur during the winter in the upper elevations of the wilderness. Four wheel drive vehicles are recommended, high clearance vehicles a necessity.

Safety and Current Conditions

The area is remote and far from any services. Cell phones will likely not be usable. Visitors will not likely encounter any other humans during their visit. Before your trip, inform someone where you will be going, in case you encounter problems. Two spare tires and a minimum of five gallons of water are advisable. GPS devices may not provide accurate directions in this remote area and should be used with local maps of the area.

Want to Volunteer for Wilderness?

People who volunteer their time to steward our wilderness areas are an essential part of wilderness management. Contact the following groups to inquire about volunteer opportunities. Groups are listed alphabetically by the state(s) in which the wilderness is located.