Pine Ranch

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

The Pine Ranch on the Shivwits Plateau is a prime example of a small family-owned ranch during the early 1900s. While some early ranching was done at this site, Wallace Mathis of nearby St George, Utah, developed this ranch about 1920. His sons improved the property and ran it as a working ranch until the 1970s. This site is located very near to the north rim at the Grand Canyon National Park. The ranch is within the boundaries of the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

Located near the Utah/Arizona state line, you will want to consider Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in both states. Generally, you can stay in Bureau of Land Management camping facilities for 14 days out of 28 days. These campgrounds that often have minimal improvements done to them are often free or have a very nominal fee. You can also search "BLM camping near me" as you travel across the Western United States and Alaska.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Mt. Trumbull Summit Trail

You will love seeing this trail's constantly changing views of Toroweap Valley, Grand Canyon, Kaibab Plateau, Western Vermilion Cliffs, and Pine Valley Mountains. It starts off Mohave County Road 5. This trail runs from the Grand Canyon's north rim over switchbacks. Part of the trail burned in 2019, making some markers hard to see as you climb to the summit.

Length: 5.1 miles

Intensity: Strenuous

Mt. Bangs Summit Trail

This trail starts with a gentle ascent over stream-rounded rocks, and you will love the views looking down into a Virgin River canyon. The second segment of this trail runs across switchbacks, and you should be careful walking on the clay as it can get slippery. The last part of the trail is a rock scramble to the summit.

Length: 5 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Grand Canyon Rim-to-rim Trail

This trail combines two trails, and you can hike either as an out-and-back. Start at the North Kaibab Trailhead on the canyon's north rim. You will descend 6,000 feet to the bottom of the canyon. Then, use the Bright Angel Trail to climb to the south rim. It will take 14 hours to complete this hike, so many stay at the canyon's bottom campground.

Length: 14.3 miles

Intensity: Strenuous

Fishing and Boating

Over 200 miles of the Colorado River run through Grand Canyon National Park, and it is a fantastic place to go fishing. This is especially true for the section that runs from Lee's Ferry to the confluence with the Little Colorado River. Brown and rainbow trout are the most popular species to catch.

Climbing

Brahma Temple in Grand Canyon National Park is a great place to go climbing, and you should take the North Kaibab Trail from the canyon's north rim to get to this location. The first segment of this climb involves some climbing and some rappelling. Then scramble over some rocks to reach Supai Redwall, which you will want to attack by traversing north. Keep climbing, and you will reach where Brahma Temple and Zoroaster Temple meet, which is also a fantastic place to climb.

Wildlife Viewing

The less developed North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a terrific place to see various animals. It is the only place in the national park where bison live. This is also an excellent place to spot elk, pronghorns, and coyotes. You may see an occasional bat because there are over 22 species that live in the park.

Picnicking

Point Imperial Picnic Area on the Grand Canyon's north rim is a fantastic spot for a picnic. It is also an excellent spot for early morning risers as it is the highest point in the park and where the sun hits first. Point Imperial offers stunning views of the Eastern Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Finding RV camping in this area requires advanced planning if you want to stay in a campground with services. The North Rim Campground is open from May to October. Since the campground sits at 8,200 feet in elevation, temperatures usually stay pleasant here throughout the summer. Red Cliffs Campground in Red Cliffs Recreation Area is a fantastic place to go for a hike to see the dinosaur tracks. This campground is near St. George, Utah. Another fantastic choice is Baker Dam Campground. This campground near St. George is a great place to fish.

Free Camping

You can disperse camp anywhere at Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, including the Pine Ranch. There are other nearby Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities. It is a short 10-minute hike from the campground at Jack's Canyon Camping and Climbing Area to the climbing area. This campground in Coconino National Forest offers no services, but you will enjoy the beautiful canyon where this campground sits. Another fantastic option is Saddle Mountain Wilderness. You can see the Grand Canyon from the overlook, which is an excellent camp place.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Pine Ranch BLM trip

For many people, the best thing about camping is sitting around a campfire at night with the stars twinkling overhead. Pine Ranch is in an area that often sees fire restrictions. Therefore, before you camp, know if the area is under a restriction and what the regulation means. You will see five color codes placed at numerous locations on BLM, national forests, some state parks, and other facilities. Green and blue are the lowest threat levels, meaning you can do most activities with fire, like a campfire. Yellow and orange mean you must exercise more caution to keep your fire from spreading. Red is the highest level, and you should avoid any open flame.

If you are going to boondock at Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument, park rangers need your help. They ask that you move sites every two to three days to minimize your impact on the desert environment. Storms can come up quickly, and the water can drain from one area into another, so it's best not to camp in low-lying areas. Finally, avoid stepping or camping on cryptobiotic soil crusts. In return, you can build many great memories of fishing, climbing and hiking in this area a short distance north of the Grand Canyon.

Leave No Trace

Trash service is extremely limited in this entire region. Therefore, you should pack out all your trash. Correctly disposing of it ensures that the area stays pristine and that your waste does not hurt wildlife.

Pine Ranch Location

Head out of St. George, Utah, on South River Road. Continue going south on BLM 1069. After you have gone 22 miles, continue going south on County Road 5 for 16 miles. Turn right on County Road 103 and go 30 miles. Turn left and go one mile. The ranch will be on your right.

Address: Pine Ranch, Grand Canyon Parashant, Littlefield, Arizona 86432

Ready to visit Pine Ranch? 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 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.