Off-Road to Whitmore Trail (BLM 1045/NPS 1245), Arizona

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Whitmore Trail is accessed from a 3-hour drive west of Tuweep Overlook, St. George or Colorado River (river mile 188). This moderate 4 mile (6.5 km) roundtrip trail starts at Whitmore Overlook and goes down to the Colorado River 920 feet elevation drop from the trailhead. Watch for some rock art along the way. The road is through Grand Canyon - Parashant National Monument. The overlook is on NPS land administered by Grand Canyon National Park or Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Take BLM Road #1069 and County Road #5 from St. George is 90 miles (145 km) long. From Country Road #5 connect to BLM #1018 and then connect to BLM #1063. From 1063 connect with Whitmore Point Road (BLM 1045 to NPS 1045). It is usually a two-day round trip from St. George (90 miles one-way). BLM 1045 - Usually appropriate for all high clearance 4x4s to the Bar 10 private ranch. Motorists may pass through the closed gate of the ranch but must stay on the main road heading south unless a guest of the ranch. One mile south of the ranch BLM1045 climbs up onto a lava flow (see photo below looking down on the lava flow and road). The basalt rock is sharp and will destroy tires not designed to be taken off pavement. Rugged all-terrain tires are necessary here. The road continues seven miles over lava rock down to Whitmore Canyon Overlook. Whitmore Wash/Canyon is located about river mile 188. This scenic route is impassable in winter due to snow and mud. Public lands throughout the area are open for camping. There is a fourteen-day maximum stay limit. BLM does not require fees or permits for backcountry camping and the State of Arizona requests that you do not camp within one-fourth mile of any watering device or reservoir. High clearance vehicle required. If your vehicle breaks down along some of these routes, you may be on your own for some time. Before starting out, tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return. Best time to go is May - October. Roads may not be passable in winter months. It is advised that you contact BLM's Arizona Strip Field Office or the National Weather Service for current road conditions and weather forecasts. Other roads along the trail: NPS1247 - A few miles south of the Bar 10 ranch the road turns west across a broad bench of the Grand Canyon and ends at the mouth of Parashant Canyon near Frog Spring. Recommended for UTVs and modified short wheelbase 4x4s only. Rough and slow going. BLM1063/NPS1263 to Whitmore Point - There are several road junctions on this route so be sure you have the BLM Arizona Strip Map to know which way to turn. From the Mt. Trumbull Schoolhouse take BLM1063 towards Whitmore Point. It becomes NPS1263 at the National Park Service boundary in the Parashant. This road is rough. Stock full size 4x4 pickups with experienced off-road drivers can make it out to Whitmore Point but if the vehicle has low front bumpers, steps, or running boards, those will likely be damaged or torn off on one of the rough sections. The road Y's at the end to an eastern and western view. A sheltered area at the end of NPS1263 is somewhat protected from the wind for camping. NPS1248 - This is a spur off NPS1247 and is similarly rough. CR257 - From the Mt. Trumbull Schoolhouse to the monument boundary this road is usually appropriate for all high clearance 4x4s. After heavy rain or snow this road will be impassible until dry due to deep ruts and mud.

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