Off-road Kelly Point Road (BLM 1203), Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona

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The Kelly Point road (NPS1203) leads to fantastic views but is only for those with the fortitude to withstand hours of bouncing around the cab of a very high clearance 4x4 or a UTV. NPS1203 starts by Mt. Dellenbaugh where Mohave County Road 103 ends at the BLM/NPS boundary. There are numerous flat sandy places to camp at the end of the road near the canyon rim, all with stunning views. A few old ranches exist along the route. At the start is "Mathis "VT" Ranch. Eastblished in 1904 by W.B. Mathis, headquarters were located 3/4 mile to the Northeast of this marker, known as "Pine". The ranch consisted of 59 sq. miles of range, a mixture of private and public land. As many as 1500 head of cattle at one time carried the VT brand. Mathis Market & Supply Co., a family corporation was formed by W.B. and wife Minnie, three sons Gordon, Carl and Reed, operating the ranch thogether with a large farm and general store in St. George. The daughters Melba Gates, Blanche McComb, Lillian Andrus and Norma Lott made up the other members of the corporation. This ranch on the Arizona Strip has been a favorite gathering site of family and friends for a full century.There are no camping permits, fees, or reservations needed so long as you don't descend the rim to camp. If you plan an overnight hike into the Grand Canyon from Kelly Point you need to contact the Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Office.This is one of the roughest and slowest roads in the monument. The difficult conditions start right at the Waring Ranch where the road crosses a 100 yard long stretch of "Dragon's Teeth" bedrock. The watermelon boulder section starts a few miles past that. It is 26 miles one-way from the NPS boundary at Mt. Dellenbaugh to Kelly Point. See video link below. It is strongly recommended that only UTVs, Jeep Rubicons, Ford Broncos, or similar type vehicles, light dirt bikes, or heavily modified and lifted short wheelbase 4x4s take this route. Dirt bikers need to be prepared to go slow and navigate the maze of rocks at a slow speed for miles. Heavy bikes will cause rider exhaustion. Stock 4x4 pickups and SUVs will not make it due to inadequate clearance. There are multiple stretches of road across volcanic boulders the size of watermelons. Speeds will be between 5 and 15mph for much of the drive. Plan 4-5 hours to travel one way to Kelly Point in a Jeep. UTVs usually make it in 3-3.5 hours.While almost all of the Parashant has no cell service, it was recently discovered that Verizon customers get service (data and voice calls) at the rim of Kelly Point, but if you walk away from the rim there is no signal. There is a Verizon tower in Peach Springs across from Kelly Point (you will see the lights of Peach Springs at night). This service is not guaranteed so DO NOT count on it for rescue.

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