Trail Overview
89A House Rock North is an ideal route for scenic explorers and overland travelers looking for an accessible entryway into the breathtaking Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and the vast House Rock Valley. Serving as a gateway to some of northern Arizona's most spectacular and remote landscapes, this mostly unpaved road offers stunning vistas of towering red cliffs, expansive high-desert basins, and unique geologic formations. While the main road is relatively flat and well-maintained under dry conditions, making it passable for most two-wheel-drive vehicles with decent clearance, it is highly deceptive. Weather can change rapidly, transforming the clay-heavy soil into impassable slick mud, and loose sand pockets can catch unprepared drivers off guard.
High-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, OHVs, and SxSs will find plenty of opportunities to explore, as this main artery provides access to numerous more challenging spur trails leading into deep sand, rocky washes, and rugged wilderness areas. Driving this route during dry seasons, particularly late spring and autumn, ensures the safest and most enjoyable experience while avoiding the extreme heat of summer and the unpredictable winter storms. Visitors should prepare for self-sufficiency by carrying plenty of water, extra fuel, and recovery gear, as cell service is highly unreliable in this remote canyon country. Notable nearby highlights include the historic Honeymoon Trail and trailheads accessing the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, offering incredible opportunities for hiking and backcountry exploration.
Access Description
The route is managed by the Bureau of Land Management Arizona Strip Field Office. No permits or fees are required to travel along House Rock Valley Road itself, but permits are strictly required for day use and overnight trips into the surrounding Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, including Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and Coyote Buttes South. Seasonal weather can make the road completely impassable, even for four-wheel-drive vehicles.