Kelly Point Road closes for winter
By Jeff Axel
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Superintendent Chad Corey has set the seasonal winter closure of Kelly Point Road, NPS1203, to motorized vehicles for Dec. 3 at 12:01 a.m.
In winter, the roadbed is normally saturated by melting ice and snow. This seasonal closure will protect the road and nearby vegetation. In the past, the road was damaged as motorists drove off-road onto meadows to avoid deep mud and standing water. This changed natural drainage patterns, destroyed vegetation, and impacted cultural resources. The road remains open to non-motorized travel.
“The road to Kelly Point is very rough and one of the most isolated places in the monument” said Corey. “Due to the clay roadbed and fragile features there, a seasonal motorized closure is the best way to protect the road, park resources, and public safety.”
Permits may be available from the chief ranger for winter motorized access to Kelly Point if conditions are dry enough. See nps.gov/para for more information and to download the permit request form. Click on the “alert” link on the home page to reach the Kelly Point motorized vehicle permit page.
The seasonal road closure during the winter months was implemented in accordance with the General Management Plan Record of Decision approved in 2008. Kelly Point Road is expected to open in March when warm and dry weather returns.
Contact chief ranger Marty Sims at (435) 688-3280 or public affairs at (435) 688-3377 for more information.
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