The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Throughout the United States, there are a variety of outdoor sites maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These natural areas are very diverse, featuring a variety of landmarks, ecosystems, and recreational opportunities.
One of the many BLM-protected sites in Arizona is the Kanab Creek Wilderness, which comprises 70,460 acres of rocky desert land near the Arizona-Utah border. While the wilderness area is an excellent destination for hiking, primitive camping, and wildlife viewing, it's perhaps most notable for its proximity to Grand Canyon National Park. The iconic national park is an immensely popular destination for travelers from all over the world, and getting a firsthand glimpse of the breathtaking canyon is more than worth the journey.
The Snake Gulch Rock Art trail is a long out-and-back hiking route within the Kanab Creek Wilderness. The rocky trail, which is also suitable for backpacking and horseback riding, is most known for its many historic pictographs. The fascinating rock art is found at many different points along the trail, offering visitors a unique experience during their hike.
Length: 14.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Slide Canyon Trail #58 is another very long out-and-back trail near the Kanab Creek Wilderness BLM site. The route features a lot of climbing and significant elevation gain. Those who make the trek will enjoy impressive scenic views, though, and there are also quality opportunities for primitive camping nearby.
Length: 15.6 miles
Intensity: Hard
Located within Grand Canyon National Park, the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge is an out-and-back route known for its stunning views. The hike is relatively short, but it does feature a steep climb, and there's very little shade to be found in the area. The best time to visit is between April and November, and a fee is required to enter the national park. Unfortunately, dogs aren't permitted to accompany hikers on the trail.
Length: 2.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The powerful Colorado River flows only a few miles south of the Kanab Creek Wilderness, and its waters are popular for both fishing and non-motorized boating. Some of the fish species you'll have a good chance to catch in the river include bass, carp, catfish, and rainbow trout. You can also spend your day on the river rafting, kayaking, canoeing, or tubing. Many visitors choose to embark on a multi-day rafting trip through Grand Canyon National Park with occasional breaks to enjoy some fly-fishing.
The nearby Grand Canyon National Park area offers a great selection of traditional and sports rock-climbing routes with varying difficulties. A handful of the most popular climbing areas are the O'Neill Butte, the Bright Angels Wall, Mt. Hayden, the Zoroaster Temple, and the Monument Creek Pinnacle.
Wildlife enthusiasts will get plenty of enjoyment from visiting the Kanab Creek Wilderness. A wide variety of interesting creatures inhabit the area, including bobcats, foxes, coyotes, and mule deer. While camping or hiking through the desert wilderness, you may also spot several species of toads, frogs, lizards, and snakes. If you're interested in unique birds, you'll also enjoy observing the local chukar partridges, which aren't typically found in any other region of Arizona.
As long as you bring along a picnic blanket or some other type of surface, you can hunker down for a peaceful picnic at the Kanab Creek Wilderness BLM site. The rocky landscape and unique desert vegetation should make for a memorable picnicking environment. Alternatively, you can always head southeast to the Grand Canyon, which offers the opportunity to enjoy your meal with an absolutely incredible view.
You won't find any Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at the site, but one nearby RV camping option is the Indian Hollow Campground, which offers primitive RV campsites. If you're hoping for a campground with RV hookups, you can head north to the town of Fredonia, AZ and stop at one of the RV parks. One quality option is the Country Rose RV Park & Campground, which features sites with electric and sewer hookups for only $35 per night.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy Bureau of Land Management free camping in and around the Kanab Creek Wilderness. If your preference is dispersed RV camping, you'll need to find a spot to park outside of the wilderness. Alternatively, you can leave your vehicle parked outside the site's boundaries and proceed on foot to find a spot for your campsite. Search for "BLM camping near me" once you get to the area for more information about where you can camp.
When you're planning your trip to the Kanab Creek Wilderness, make sure to consider the season of your visit. If you prefer more moderate temperatures, your best bet would be to plan your trip for the spring or fall; during summer, the temperature can occasionally reach as high as 120 degrees. Additionally, be sure to have a plan for your overnight accommodations. You won't find any established campsites anywhere within the wilderness area, so you should either choose a nearby campground ahead of time or bring your own gear.
You should bring your own drinking water when visiting the Kanab Creek Wilderness. The Kanab Creek does not flow year-round, and even when it is flowing, it's not advisable to drink its water. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
During your visit to the Kanab Creek Wilderness, follow the Leave No Trace guidelines to minimize your impact on the land. If you find anything interesting on the land, please stick to observing it visually and refrain from moving or removing it.
To reach the Kanab Creek Wilderness from Fredonia, head south on US-89A S for roughly 1.5 miles and then turn right onto FH 22/FS-22. Continue on that road, watching for BLM signs, until you reach the boundaries of the wilderness area.
Ready to visit Kanab Creek Wilderness? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
