House Rock Wrap

Route Alert: Dragon Bravo Fire Impacts

The Dragon Bravo Fire was started by lightning on July 4, 2025.  Initially small and managed with a confine and contain strategy to burn for ecological health, the wildfire quickly expanded starting July 11 due to unfavorable winds, summer heat, and low humidity. It quickly expanded its footprint beyond fire control lines forcing the evacuation of all visitors and personnel from the North Rim Village area.  Late-night on July 13, the wildfire destroyed the historic North Rim Lodge, burned through 70 other structures including employee housing and visitor cabins, and combusted the water treatment plant leading to the release of dense chlorine gas.  The release of chlorine inhibited further fire retardant drops by aerial firefighters and led to the subsequent evacuation and closures of the North Kaibab, South Kaibab, and Bright Angel Trails as well as Phantom Ranch in the inner-canyon.  The heroic efforts of fire crews thankfully kept the Kaibab Lodge, North Rim Country Store, and Demotte Campground from loss.

The burn of the North Rim Village has been a devastating loss to many.  It has broken my heart personally.

Aided by historically low single-digit humidity conditions, a lack of monsoons during what should be stormy months, and Red Flag winds, the Dragon Bravo Fire continued to burn. At one point, it had over 1000 hotshots assigned to combat it. The fire grew into a formidable monster of a burn, often jumping containment. The Dragon Bravo spread down several miles into the inner-Grand Canyon in addition to working its way west towards Point Sublime, south towards Cape Royal on the Walhalla Plateau, north through the iconic aspen and subalpine meadows of the Kaibab Plateau, across much of the Saddle Mountain Wilderness, and even down into House Rock Valley. It churned out pyrocumulus columns of cloud and ash on the hottest/driest days for viewers on the South Rim; at night, the flames were visible as orange streaks, pyres, and glowing stars. By the end of September 2025, it sat at 145,500 acres in size.

The NPS and USFS were forced to close large swaths of public lands on the Kaibab Plateau south of 89A/Jacob Lake in addition to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and parts of House Rock Valley for most of 2025.

The White Sage Wildfire was started by lightning on July 9, 2025 south of Fredonia and north of Jacob Lake amid sagebrush and grass. Aided by the same conditions that inflamed the Dragon Bravo Fire, it quickly swept east across the Buckskin Mountains and down to House Rock Road adjacent to the Vermilion Cliffs. Again, fire crews heroically saved Jacob Lake Inn, Kaibab Camper Village, and the Jacob Lake Campground from burning. The White Sage Fire ballooned to 59,000 acres in size churning out significant smoke and closing much of Highway 89A as well as public lands in northern Arizona up to the Utah border.

Bikepackers will need to be prepared on the southern portion of the route for some new burn scars, less shade, possible fallen snags across roads, and increased risks for flash floods in canyons/drainages.  What won’t change are epic views of the Grand Canyon and the fact that majority of this route has not burned.

If you want to help those who have been affected by the Dragon Bravo Fire as well as coming financial work to rebuild, please consider making a donation to the Grand Canyon Disaster Relief Fund managed by the Grand Canyon Conservancy.

House Rock Wrap takes bikepackers on a wraparound traverse across House Rock Valley to viewpoints of Marble Canyon. Riders can expect to visit and camp rim-side at Tiger, Bedrock, South Canyon, Buck Farm, and Triple Alcove points. These overlooks provide expansive views of the Colorado River as it courses through the redwall layers of Marble Canyon – a precursor to the Grand Canyon. The route is framed by the sheer rising walls of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument to the north, the iconic Saddle Mountain Wilderness to the south, the gorge of Marble Canyon to the east, and the ascending flanks of the Kaibab Plateau to the west. House Rock Valley provides a multitude of dirt roads crossing high desert grasslands where pronghorn, deer, and bison are frequent.

“Aesak” is the traditional Southern Paiute name for this basket-shaped region, and riders can expect to ascend across this important cultural landscape from lower grassy-arid plains to elevations where pinyon-juniper woodlands dominate. The route also passes through Coyote Canyon adjacent to the Paria Plateau with abundant opportunities to see endangered California Condors. Adventurous side-hikes and inner-canyon access are provided by the Nankoweap and South Canyon Trails as the route travels through the remote heart of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National Monument and the Kaibab National Forest.

The technical difficulty of the route mainly comes in the form of sand upon entrance to House Rock Valley and the rugged double track that climbs up to Tiger Point, Bedrock Point, and Nankoweap Trailhead. It can get rocky in sections and eroded after monsoon season.

The physical difficulty is mostly due to the rolling climbing on the route. Bikepackers have three main climbs on the route that are not particularly steep each but definitely take a while to reach the top of.

Most of House Rock Wrap sticks to broad dirt roads along the transect of the valley. These roads are mostly in fine condition, but they can become rutted, washboarded, and eroded after a serious monsoon season or frequent ATV use. In addition, sand is an expectation for several miles of the route when first entering House Rock Valley; it’s temporary, but there. Most of the double track along the route is a mixture of smooth to rocky-rugged.

If any rain/snow is forecast, most of the unpaved route will become peanut butter/death mud and impassable in places. Leave No Trace and avoid riding at these times until the route dries out. In addition, flash flooding from precipitation is a real possibility around the Vermilion Cliffs and House Rock Valley – stay safe and stay out of washes or low areas at those times. I cannot stress enough that House Rock Valley Road will become absolutely impassable during precipitation events making riding your bike or driving a vehicle to the start anywhere from untenable to impossible.

Water is scarce along this route. This area is arid and the tablelands and canyonlands around the Vermilion Cliffs, House Rock Valley, and Coyote Canyon are true desertscapes with little reliable surface runoff or pools. Plan to carry several liters of water, sometimes enough to last at least 24 hours and more than you think you’ll need should you arrive at a source and find it dry.

Water is mostly found in dirt cattle tanks, metal cattle tanks, and Arizona Game and Fish Water Catchments (Wildlife Tanks). There is an AZGFD Headquarters located out at Buffalo Ranch with year-round spring water available from a spigot being fed into a trough. The wildlife tanks along the route can be chock full of bugs and algae in the summer but are safe to drink with treatment/purification. AZGFD Wildlife Tanks help provide water to wildlife in the ever-drying environment of the southwest under climate change. There is no camping within 0.25 miles of AZGFD Wildlife Tanks (or other water sources). This route requires riders to dry camp. Be prepared to load up at water sources so that you can camp far away from them.

In the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National Monument, Kaibab National Forest, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and House Rock Valley, excellent and numerous dispersed camping abounds. Marble Canyon is truly one of the most remarkable places for dispersed camping right up against the edge of the gorge at numerous locations for those making the remote trek out.

There are no food resupply opportunities on the route. Pack in everything you’ll need for the duration.

• Paved: 7%
• Smooth Gravel: 0%
• Rough Gravel: 70%
• 4×4 Road: 23%
• Single-track: 0%

Water:

Having the means to treat water is suggested for this route.

Parking:

Park your vehicle for the duration of the route at Stateline Campground located at the border between Arizona and Utah. In addition to dry campsites, the campground is also the northern terminus for the Arizona Trail. There is a parking area in front of the obelisk/monument for the AZT; this is where you can leave your vehicle overnight.

• • For those concerned about getting their low clearance and/or 2WD vehicle all the way down to the Stateline Campground, know that there are several additional excellent places to park just off House Rock Road/BLM 1065 on the way to Stateline Campground. If you park in these spots, you’ll add a few miles, but may have better peace of mind:
    • Just off Highway 89A there are dirt pullouts at the start of House Rock Road/BLM 1065
    • Wire Pass parking area
    • Buckskin Gulch parking area
    • Other dirt pullouts/camping spots next to the road

Getting to the Start:

The start of the route is located at the Stateline Campground at the Arizona/Utah border on House Rock Valley Road/BLM 1065. It is best driven from the north entrance off Highway 89 in Utah. This ends up being a 13-mile drive along smooth to bumpy dirt roads that the BLM claims are not periodically maintained in Utah, but in my experience tends to be surer than coming from the south. House Rock Valley Road from the north entrance tends to be in better shape and accessible by 2WD high-clearance vehicles (I’ve even seen many minivans and sedans down here). However, this is not a guarantee; this side can become rough enough that only high-clearance 4WD vehicles can make it.

Coming from the south is a much longer drive along dirt roads off Highway 89A that the BLM claims are periodically maintained, but in my experience are consistently rutted to the point that even high-clearance 4WD vehicles have some effort to make; take the surer path by coming from the north instead. The best bet is to reach out to local businesses (Kanab Tour Company, Paria Outfitters, Lake Powell Scenic Tours) to check on road conditions before driving.

If there is any rain in the forecast, House Rock Valley Road will turn to a gelatinous mud capable of swallowing vehicles to their wheel-wells. The road will become completely impassable in these conditions – do not attempt to drive on them. This means you have to be aware of the forecast before driving to the start of this route. If you are unsure about this, you can always find an alternate start location for the route. There are plenty of places off Highway 89 or Highway 89A on public land where you can leave your car overnight for a few days.

Fees and Permits:

Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National Monument, Kaibab National Forest, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument have no fees.

A Recreational Land Use Permit is required for any travel or camping on Arizona State Lands. Apply for and pay for one before you head out on the route. Carry it with you.

Bison:

There is a wild bison herd managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department that lives out on House Rock Valley. These bison are wild and temperamental – give them lots of space and do not approach too close. Be prepared to detour your ride if necessary around certain areas or water sources.

Wind:

This is a large exposed area, and the wind can get ferocious, especially in the spring. Keep a positive mindset if you get caught. This usually means a headwind coming from the south or a crosswind coming from the west. Make sure your tent is pitched well, or choose to cowboy camp using some natural features as wind protection.

Fences:

There may be “cowboy fences” on this route which consist of barbed wire wrapped around vertical wooden branches that are strung across roads. They can be opened by removing a loop of wire on one side. Most importantly, leave fences as you found them; re-close them if they were closed.

ATVs:

ATVs frequently use House Rock Valley Road/BLM 1065. The Wave, White Pocket, Coyote Buttes South, and the Buckskin Gulch have all made this dirt road increasingly popular for vehicular travel over the last several years. Expect mild intermittent washboard along sections of the road and some dust from passing vehicles. However, I have found drivers are pretty respectful, will check on you/offer you water, and give you space when passing. Once in the grasslands of House Rock Valley, ATVs are rare.

Dark Skies:

Grand Canyon National Park is an International Dark Sky Park. This means that you can expect to have anywhere between Bortle Class 1 – 3 night skies overhead (even better night viewing during a new moon). The Bortle Class Scale is used to rate night skies on their clarity and lack of light pollution. A Bortle Class 1 is the darkest possible and there are several locations along these routes where, should you camp, you will have this level of darkness. Here, night skies will be virtually unimpeded by artificial light.

• https://www.theforrestbiome.com/house-rock-wrap
• If you ride this route, please consider filling out a rider survey from Forrest.

Forrest Radarian, one of our Regional Stewards, created and stewards The House Rock Wrap route. Forrest would like to extend the following acknowledgments for the route:

“I’d like to thank Janna for her time riding and exploring the many dirt roads across House Rock Valley. I’d also like to thank Matthew Jenkins for sharing his ideas for crossing some eastern portions of the area. For his thoughts and guidance on Indigenous perspectives of the Living Landscape, I’d like to thank Jack Pongyesva of the Intertribal Centennial Conversations Group and Grand Canyon Trust.“

Here is a little about Forrest in his own words:

“Forrest (he/him, Grand Canyon, AZ) is a high school science teacher at the only pre-K-12 public school located in a National Park at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. He is passionate about (a) education and teaching, (b) biodiversity, environmental science, and evolution, and (c) outdoor adventuring. Forrest is devoted to getting students into the outdoors and helping them learn science deeply. He’s built a strong love for Arizona – a topophilia enriched by bikepacking and backpacking around the state. He’s created and published the Capes of the Canyon (South and North Rims), El Lobo Lupus, Gold to Grand Loop, and House Rock Wrap bikepacking routes.”

This route traverses the traditional lands of the Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Las Vegas Band of Paiute Indians, Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, Diné (Navajo Nation), Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, The Pueblo of Zuni, and the Yavapai-Apache Nation