Segment 7 Description
Traversing northern Arizona, Segment 7 takes riders through a landscape of colorful sedimentary rocks, tall cliffs, deep canyons, and high-elevation grasslands. This segment also winds across 100+ dry miles of stunning Navajo Nation land in Marble Canyon and Little Colorado River Gorge Tribal Parks before reaching Grand Canyon National Park. For southbound riders, the route initially crosses a broad, treeless valley before climbing over the northern end of the Kaibab Plateau through juniper woodlands. The more challenging Kaibab Plateau Alternate dips farther south over the highest part of the Kaibab Plateau and through cool forests and meadows. East of the Kaibab Plateau, the dirt roads through House Rock Valley lead to a relatively quiet paved road that runs beneath the Vermillion Cliffs to Navajo Bridge and the Wild West Route’s crossing of the mighty Colorado River.
South of the Colorado River, pavement continues onto Navajo Nation, and at the small community of Bitter Springs, the route turns west onto rougher 4x4 tracks and dirt roads amid grasslands, badlands, and canyon rims. This section of the route requires a Navajo Nation backcountry permit, water is absent, shade is scarce, and camping is permitted only in a few specific locations. Reaching the Navajo community of Cameron, riders cross the Little Colorado River before climbing toward Grand Canyon National Park. This gradual ascent is a mix of pavement, trail through Little Colorado River Gorge Tribal Park, and abandoned road grades. Segment 7 ends at Desert View Overlook with an overwhelming view into the depths of Grand Canyon. Water and resupply options are infrequent along this segment, so careful planning may be required. Long stretches of this segment are also impassible when wet, necessitating paying close attention to weather forecasts.
IMPORTANT: Navajo Nation backcountry permit absolutely required - see permit information and regulations below. Camping is only allowed in 4 specific locations on Navajo Nation, none of which are market on the ground; a GPS and the segment’s waypoints are required to locate these camping areas. Ample tire sealant also strongly recommended for this segment. An Arizona State Land Trust permit is also required.
Segment length: 209 miles
Total climbing: 10,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 3-5
% Paved (approx.): 35%
% Dirt road (approx.): 45%
% 4x4 road/2-track (approx.): 20%
% Singletrack (approx.): <1%
% Rideable (approx.): 99%
Average physical difficulty* (1-10): 3
Average technical difficulty** (1-10): 4
Bikepacking challenges: Very limited water, limited resupply options, very remote, summer heat, long sections impassible when wet
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 95 miles / 1-2 days (across Navajo Nation between the Marble Canyon (SoBo mile 80) and Cameron (mile 175)
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 95 miles / 1-2 days (across Navajo Nation between the Marble Canyon (SoBo mile 80) and Cameron (mile 175)
Alternate route options:
Traversing northern Arizona, Segment 7 takes riders through a landscape of colorful sedimentary rocks, tall cliffs, deep canyons, and high-elevation grasslands. This segment also winds across 100+ dry miles of stunning Navajo Nation land in Marble Canyon and Little Colorado River Gorge Tribal Parks before reaching Grand Canyon National Park. For southbound riders, the route initially crosses a broad, treeless valley before climbing over the northern end of the Kaibab Plateau through juniper woodlands. The more challenging Kaibab Plateau Alternate dips farther south over the highest part of the Kaibab Plateau and through cool forests and meadows. East of the Kaibab Plateau, the dirt roads through House Rock Valley lead to a relatively quiet paved road that runs beneath the Vermillion Cliffs to Navajo Bridge and the Wild West Route’s crossing of the mighty Colorado River.
South of the Colorado River, pavement continues onto Navajo Nation, and at the small community of Bitter Springs, the route turns west onto rougher 4x4 tracks and dirt roads amid grasslands, badlands, and canyon rims. This section of the route requires a Navajo Nation backcountry permit, water is absent, shade is scarce, and camping is permitted only in a few specific locations. Reaching the Navajo community of Cameron, riders cross the Little Colorado River before climbing toward Grand Canyon National Park. This gradual ascent is a mix of pavement, trail through Little Colorado River Gorge Tribal Park, and abandoned road grades. Segment 7 ends at Desert View Overlook with an overwhelming view into the depths of Grand Canyon. Water and resupply options are infrequent along this segment, so careful planning may be required. Long stretches of this segment are also impassible when wet, necessitating paying close attention to weather forecasts.
IMPORTANT: Navajo Nation backcountry permit absolutely required - see permit information and regulations below. Camping is only allowed in 4 specific locations on Navajo Nation, none of which are market on the ground; a GPS and the segment’s waypoints are required to locate these camping areas. Ample tire sealant also strongly recommended for this segment. An Arizona State Land Trust permit is also required.
Segment length: 209 miles
Total climbing: 10,000 feet
Recommended number of days: 3-5
% Paved (approx.): 35%
% Dirt road (approx.): 45%
% 4x4 road/2-track (approx.): 20%
% Singletrack (approx.): <1%
% Rideable (approx.): 99%
Average physical difficulty* (1-10): 3
Average technical difficulty** (1-10): 4
Bikepacking challenges: Very limited water, limited resupply options, very remote, summer heat, long sections impassible when wet
Longest stretch between resupply (miles/days): 95 miles / 1-2 days (across Navajo Nation between the Marble Canyon (SoBo mile 80) and Cameron (mile 175)
Longest stretch between water sources (miles/days): 95 miles / 1-2 days (across Navajo Nation between the Marble Canyon (SoBo mile 80) and Cameron (mile 175)
Alternate route options:
- Kaibab Plateau Alternate: This option climbs over the tall, cool, forested Kaibab Plateau, reaching 9,000 feet at its high point. This alternate also serves as a link to the Arizona Trail and takes riders to within 13 miles of Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim facilities (open May 15 to October 15). This alternate is 20% paved, 35% dirt road, and 45% 4x4 track. Atop the plateau, the quiet 2-tracks hop between coniferous forest, aspen groves, and meadows. For NoBo riders, the climb up onto the plateau is remarkably steep, loose, exposed, and waterless – there will be hike-a-bike. For SoBo riders, the climb is much more gradual. Water options are limited (reliable water at SoBo miles 29 and 56), and resupply options are available just off route at Jacob Lake (limited; mile 29) and at mile 56 (lodge and store open between May 15 and October 15). This alternate is virtually entirely on public lands – BLM and Kaibab National Forest. Private and USFS Campgrounds with potable water are found at miles 29 and 56. This alternate is generally snow-free in the Spring by mid-May and is rideable until sometime in October in most years.
- Arizona Trail Link Alternate: This 14-mile rougher and steep forest road link directly connects Segment 7 to the Arizona Trail (AZT) at Grandview Lookout Tower. For AZT riders looking to detour around Grand Canyon without actually visiting Grand Canyon, this link connects more directly to Segment 7. The Kaibab Alternate offers an option to return to the AZT on the Kaibab Plateau north of Grand Canyon.
