What You'll See Along the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway

The Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway crosses over the gorgeous Kaibab Plateau and travels through two forests: the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park.

Along the route, you'll find plenty of places to hike and camp. Groves of golden aspen, flowery meadows, ponds, outcrops of limestone, and steep slopes on all sides break up the dominance of the regal coniferous forest. Also, the Colorado River flows right around the byway, so opportunities for water sports abound.

Archaeological Qualities of the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway

People have occupied the Kaibab Plateau for at least 8,000 years. The earliest people inhabiting this region were hunter-gatherers who utilized the plateau extensively for its big game opportunities and for plant and mineral resources. These people, referred to as the Archaic people, were highly nomadic.

Between 500 B.C. and 300 B.C., the life and methods of the people using the Grand Canyon area began to change. The first evidence of plant domestication is linked to this period. Archaeologists refer to the people of this era as the Basket Maker people. Although they still depended heavily on hunting and gathering, they were slowly incorporating horticulture into their lifestyle. The Basket Maker period lasted until around A.D. 800.

Toward the end of the Basket Maker period, pottery was made and people became less mobile. Over time, it is believed that the Basket Maker culture transitioned into what is now known as the Pueblo culture.

The Pueblo people relied more heavily on farming than the Basket Maker people; they also built more permanent village sites that included upright masonry structures and cliff dwellings known as pueblos. They developed beautiful painted pottery styles.

The Pueblo people abandoned the area by the late 1200s. Archaeologists are unsure why they left; they suspect that prolonged drought and increased population levels forced the Pueblos to leave.

Kaibab Plateau- North Rim Parkway Information Length: 42 miles Time to Allow: One hour or more States it runs through: Arizona Cities it runs through: Jacob Lake, North Rim Considerations: All roads are winding and steep. Arizona's climate is dry and hot, so be sure to carry plenty of water. Wear proper footwear to minimize the risk of serious injury. There is also the danger of fires, lightning, and flash floods. Most roads are not maintained during the winter.

The Paiute people moved into the area shortly after the Pueblo people left. These people continue to live in the area today. The Paiute people were a hunting and gathering culture that utilized the Kaibab Plateau for its wild plant andanimal resources. While some of the Paiute farmed in historic times, they were not originally a farming people.

As with the earlier archaic cultures, the Paiute were highly nomadic. Unlike the Pueblo people, whobuilt masonry pueblo structures, the Paiute lived in temporary brush structures called wikiups. This form of housing allowed them to move their camps on a regular basis to where resources were seasonably available.

The Paiutes gave the region the name we still use today; Kaibab is a Paiute term meaning "mountain lying down." Today, the Paiute live on the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation located near Fredonia. They continue to use the Kaibab Plateau for traditional cultural practices.

Cultural Qualities of the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway

The rich cultural diversity of Arizona is proudly displayed on the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway. Here, you find a diverse cross section of Native Americans and pioneer stock. Visit the local towns of Kanab and Fredonia to see the rich heritage that is still maintained today. From good old country fairs to the vibrant Western Legends Round Up, everyone is sure to have a good time.

Historical Qualities of the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway

The Kaibab Plateau is rich with the history of preservation and conservation. In 1893, the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve was created, and in the first decade of the 20th century, national forests were designated.

Then, in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt created the Grand Canyon National Game Preserve to protect the Kaibab mule deer, and in 1908, the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve became the Kaibab National Forest.

The historic Jacob Lake Ranger Station was built in 1910 to help administer lands that included what is now Grand Canyon National Park. The ranger station is located along the road that originally led to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

View Enlarged Image Photographers, bird-watchers, hikers, campers, and anyone else who enjoys spectacular views can use this map to reach the Kaibob Plateau-North Rim Parkway.

Eventually, the road to Grand Canyon National Park was moved to its present location, but the Jacob Lake Ranger Station continued to be utilized to administer Kaibab National Forest lands. It is one of the oldest remaining ranger stations in the country and is now an interpretive site presenting the life of a forest ranger. It can be accessed from Highway 67.

After a devastating wildfire in 1910 burned through much of the Idaho panhandle and parts of western Montana, the United States ushered in an era of fire suppression. Prior to that time, little was done to suppress fires.

However, after 1910, fire lookouts and trail systems were developed in earnest throughout the national forest system. The earliest fire lookouts on the Kaibab Plateau consisted of platforms built at the tops of tall trees that were accessed by ladders. Eventually, lookout buildings and towers were built, including the Jacob Lake Fire Lookout Tower in 1934.The tower is located on the east side of Highway 67 and can be viewed from the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway.

Today, the Jacob Lake Ranger Station and Fire Lookout Tower are on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Jacob Lake Fire Lookout Tower is on the National Register of Fire Lookouts.

Natural Qualities of the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway

The Kaibab Plateau could be called an island of forest; sage and grass cover the lower elevations that surround it. The plateau is bordered on the south by the Grand Canyon and on the east and west by the Colorado River, sometimes reaching elevations of 9,000 feet.

Some of the trees found at its higher elevations include ponderosa pine, Engelmann spruce, aspen, blue spruce, oak, pinon, pine, and juniper. At lower elevations, you'll find bitterbrush, Gambel oak, sagebrush, and cliffrose.

Within the forest are irregular areas entirely free of tree growth. These parks are found in canyon bottoms, dry southern exposures, and ridge tops near the forest's exterior limits. Naturally occurring water is scarce in the North Kaibab Ranger District. Melting snow seeps through the gravelly soil to emerge as springs several hundred feet below the plateau rim.

The Vermilion Cliffs are spectacular because of their brilliant colors. It is also thrilling to watch the Grand Canyon walls change color as the sun sets; watching the morning sun hit the canyon is just as unforgettable.

The Grand Canyon stands alone as the world's most awesome natural wonder, and the surrounding Kaibab National Forest offers plenty of native forest wildlife. Keep an eye open for large, soaring birds; the endangered California condor was recently introduced to this area.

Recreational Qualities of the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway

Nonmotorized and motorized trails are maintained for hikers, walkers, bikers, equestrians, cross-country skiers, four-wheel drivers, and snowmobilers. Fifty miles of the cross-state nonmotorized Arizona Trail traverse the district, providing opportunities for day hiking or multinight trips. Many miles of closed roads provide outstanding mountain biking opportunities for all rider levels. (Remember that wilderness areas do not allow mountain bikes.)

Spring and fall are the best seasons for enjoying both the wilderness and the Grand Canyon National Park trails due to extreme summer temperatures and winter inaccessibility. If you plan to stay overnight below the rim of the Grand Canyon, purchase a permit from the Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Office.

For hunters, the Kaibab Plateau is famous for producing record-class mule deer, with established seasons for bow, black powder, and rifle hunting. Game birds, such as the chukar partridge and Merriam's turkey, also have established seasons. The Arizona Game and Fish Department sets the hunt dates and numbers, and hunters are selected by drawings.

The winter season on the Kaibab Plateau is a unique experience. Lodging is available on the plateau at Jacob Lake and Kaibab Lodge. Nordic skiing and snowmobiling are the most popular activities on the plateau in the winter.

The area east of Highway 67 is open only to nonmotorized activities. The North Rim is also open only to nonmotorized activities, with no facilities or services during the winter season. All areas west of Highway 67 are open to motorized and nonmotorized activities. Winter conditions are surprisingly severe on the Kaibab Plateau. Be prepared for four to eight feet of snow, along with cold and windy weather.

On national forest lands, camping is not limited to campgrounds; instead, camping is permissible off of any dirt road or out of the sight of a paved highway at no charge. Backcountry camping is prohibited within 1/4 mile of water to allow wildlife undisturbed access. Backcountry campers also must stay at least 1/2 mile from a developed campground or other facility. Campers are also asked to stay out of meadows, due to the fragile environment.

Jacob Lake area campgrounds open in early May and close in late October. Forest Service and National Park Service campgrounds have water and toilets, but no RV hook-ups. Private campgrounds at Jacob Lake or off the plateau do have full RV hook-ups, however. Tents and RVs are welcome at all campgrounds. Demotte Park is not suitable for large RVs; all other campgrounds can handle any size. Group campsites are available by reservation at Jacob Lake and the North Rim.

The Forest Service campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations can be made at the North Rim and private campgrounds. The free Jacob Lake picnic area is open May 1 to November 1 during daytime hours. No fee is charged for camping at Indian Hollow Campground, but camping is primitive, and no water is available.

Find more useful information related to Arizona's Kaibob Plateau-North Rim Parkway:

• Grand Canyon National Park: The Kaibob Plateau-North Rim Parkway passes through this National Park. Learn about visiting it.
  
• Scenic Drives: Are you interested in scenic drives beyond Arizona? Here are more than 100 scenic drives throughout the United States.
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