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Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument

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Exploring the Arizona Strip’s solitude

The Arizona Strip, perched between the Colorado River and the Utah border, feels like a desert frontier beyond the crowds of the main Grand Canyon rim. Here the terrain is defined by vast, wind‑scoured basins and low‑lying cliffs that invite slow, contemplative travel. Reachable via the unpaved Toroweap Road, the monument rewards those who carry sufficient water, a reliable GPS, and a respect for the remote nature of the landscape. Camping is primitive; most sites are backcountry‑only, requiring a permit from the BLM. The lack of services is a virtue: evenings are spent under an unfiltered night sky, where the Milky Way arches over ridgelines that have changed little for millennia.

A comparative glimpse: Parashant versus Canyonlands

While Canyonlands National Park in Utah is famed for its dramatic arches and organized trail systems, the adjacent Parashant expanse offers a more understated, rugged character. Here the rock formations are less sculpted, and the vegetation is a sparse tapestry of sagebrush and pinyon pine, giving a sense of timeless wilderness. For hikers accustomed to well‑marked routes, Parashant’s network is informal, with cairns and faded trail markers the norm. The experience mirrors a backcountry trek in the Great Basin, where navigation depends on topographic maps and a keen eye for subtle terrain cues, making the monument a compelling counterpart for those seeking a less curated adventure.

Practical travel craft for the remote visitor

Preparation is paramount when venturing into this isolated landscape. Verify road conditions with the Navajo Nation Roads office before heading out; sections of Toroweap can be washed out after monsoonal storms. Pack a high‑capacity water filter and sealable containers, as water sources are scarce and often untreated. A satellite communicator or personal locator beacon should be part of your kit, given the limited cell coverage. Consider timing your hike for the cooler months of October to April; daytime highs stay below 80 °F, reducing the risk of heat‑related fatigue. Finally, respect the joint management by the National Park Service and BLM by adhering to “leave no trace” principles, especially in areas where desert flora recovers slowly.

Introduction

Protected area in northern Arizona Grand Canyon–Parashant National MonumentA sign indicating an entrance to the monument on the Toroweap roadInteractive map of Grand Canyon–Parashant National MonumentLocationMohave County, Arizona, USANearest cityLas Vegas, NevadaCoordinates36°24′N 113°42′W / 36.400°N 113.700°W / 36.400; -113.700Area1,048,325 acres (4,242.42 km2)EstablishedJanuary 11, 2000; 26 years ago (2000-01-11)Governing bodyNational Park Service andBureau of Land ManagementWebsiteGrand Canyon–Parashant National Monument Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument (sometimes referred to as Parashant National Monument) is located on the northern edge of the Grand Canyon in northwest Arizona, on the Arizona Strip. The monument was established by Presidential Proclamation 7265 on January 11, 2000. Side canyon in the National Monument

Description

[edit] The national monument is a very remote and undeveloped place jointly managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). There are no paved roads into the monument and no visitor services. The 1,048,325-acre (424,242 ha) monument is larger than the state of Rhode Island. The BLM portion of the monument consists of 808,747 acres (327,288 ha). The NPS portion contains 208,453 acres (84,358 ha) of lands that were previously part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. There are also about 23,205 acres (9,391 ha) of Arizona State Land Department lands and 7,920 acres (3,210 ha) of private lands within the monument boundaries. Grand Canyon–Parashant is not considered a separate unit of the NPS because its NPS area is counted in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Elevation ranges from 1,230 feet (370 m) above sea level near Grand Wash Bay at Lake Mead, to 8,029 feet (2,447 m) at Mount Trumbull. The Interagency Information Center is located in the BLM Office in St. George, Utah. The name Parashant is derived from the Paiute word Pawteh 'ee oasoasant, meaning "tanned elk hide," or "softening of the elk hide." There are a number of ruins of former Mormon settlements in the area, such as the Oak Grove Dairy.