The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Nampaweap Trailhead is one of 37 trailheads throughout Arizona maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Many of these are in or adjacent to properties managed by the U.S. Forestry Service or the National Park Service. Unfortunately, camping is not allowed along this short trail, but there are plenty of options for Bureau of Land Management camping nearby. Of particular interest, this trail offers ancient petroglyphs preserved in the rocks you'll encounter on your trek. Nampaweap Trail is a short 1.5-mile out-and-back hike.
Nampaweap Trailhead is situated between three national parks to make your adventure a nature lover's tour. Grand Canyon National Park is about 120 miles to the east, Zion National Park is about 100 miles to the north, and Death Valley National Park is about 320 miles to the west. Colorado City, which is located about 50 miles to the north, is the closest town to the trailhead. Located about 200 miles to the west is Las Vegas, the nearest large city. You'll find several small towns along the Arizona border with Nevada.
This trail is located about five miles to the northeast of Nampaweap. Plan for at least a few hours to complete this out-and-back trail, which features an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet.
Length: 5.1 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Mt. Dellenbaugh is about a 60-mile drive southwest of Nampaweap Trailhead. It is considered a strenuous hike to the peak, where you'll enjoy your trek through awe-inspiring evergreens.
Length: 5.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Colorado River forms the Grand Canyon and is a great place to do some fishing and boating. One of the better places to both fish and launch a kayak or raft is just upstream from Phantom Ranch. Anglers commonly catch trout, carp, and blue-head sucker. Head toward Las Vegas and try your luck fishing on Lake Mead.
The entire Grand Canyon area is home to a variety of wildlife if you take the time to enjoy it. The area is home to over 400 species of birds, including the California condor, Mexican spotted owl, and western yellow-billed cuckoo. There are also nearly 100 mammalian species you may encounter, including bison, mountain lion, ringtail cat, and bighorn sheep. You're also likely to come across some of the over 40 species of reptiles and 10 species of amphibians.
Rugged Bureau of Land Management camping is not for everyone, and you may just want a break at a more established campground. You’ll find several RV camping options north of the Nampaweap Trailhead. Kaibab Camper Village is about 90 miles northeast of the Nampaweap Trailhead, where you'll enjoy sites with full hookups for rigs up to 40 feet long, a camp store, picnic tables, fire pits, and coin-operated showers and laundry. Stay a little closer at the Country Rose RV Park, located about 60 miles northeast in Fredonia. The sites at this park are complete with power, water, and sewer for rigs up to and larger than 45 feet. Head further west to St. George, Utah and check out the McArthur's Temple View RV Resort with over 260 sites, a fitness center, a pool, a jacuzzi, laundry and activity rooms, and a lounge.
If you're at the Nampaweap Trailhead and wonder, "Where is BLM camping near me?" you won't have to go far. Head west to the Mount Logan Wilderness area to the southwest of the trail, and you'll have some options. You won't find any established Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, but you can enjoy dispersed camping. You'll find several areas you can pull off for Bureau of Land Management free camping on County Road 103, which comes in from the west near the ghost town Oak Grove. The county road turns into Kelly Point Road in the Mount Morgan Wilderness Area and turns south. BLM RV camping may be challenging around this area for drivable rigs due to the rough roads. However, if you have a tow vehicle with high clearance, you may succeed in pulling a small travel trailer.
Take some time to plan for your Bureau of Land Management camping trip. Unlike staying at a managed RV campground, BLM RV camping in this area is quite remote, with over an hour's drive to the closest town for supplies or emergency support. Make sure you pack a full first aid kit and fire extinguisher. With summer highs often exceeding 100 degrees and overnight lows sometimes dipping into the 40s, you will want to bring layers of clothing.
More than what you pack, studying the area through online satellite maps will help prepare you for remote travel. You'll get a sense of some landmarks and unmarked roads you may want to take. You'll also be able to scout out potential campsites before you get there. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Whether you're enjoying the Nampaweap Trail or setting up BLM RV camping somewhere close, it's important to Leave No Trace that you were there. Make sure to take all trash with you when you leave and don't dump anything while you're visiting. Leaving trash and dumping attract animals, creating a dangerous environment and wrecking the local ecosystem. Stay on the trail, and use pull-off sites with solid ground that has been previously used as a campsite.
Getting to the Nampaweap Trailhead means traveling many dirt roads, so give yourself plenty of time and patience. From St. George, UT, head south on River Road, which turns into BLM 1069. Continue to follow this south for 22 miles. It will turn into County Road 5, which is also known as Mt. Trumbull Loop. Continue south for another 15 miles. You'll turn right onto BLM 1028, which may not be in your GPS program. Follow this for a mile, and you'll arrive at the trailhead.
Ready to visit Nampaweap Trailhead? 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.
