Take a scenic ride through the wide-open landscapes of the Arizona Strip as we follow State Route 389 from Colorado City to Fredonia. This 32.5-mile journey offers a rarely traveled look into one of the most remote corners of the American Southwest, where towering mesas, distant cliffs, and high-desert plains stretch out in every direction, untouched by the bustle of modern life. This is a place where time slows down, where every mile seems to whisper stories of isolation, resilience, and quiet wonder.
We begin our journey in Colorado City, a town that sits almost invisibly on the Arizona-Utah line. Known for its complex and controversial history tied to fundamentalist offshoots of the Mormon church, the town has long captured national curiosity—but few travelers actually pass through it. Leaving the community behind, we head east on Arizona 389. The road is immediately desolate, flanked by nothing but sagebrush, low desert grass, and the occasional Joshua tree. The jagged cliffs of the Vermilion Cliffs rise in the distance like a wall between present-day life and prehistoric time, hinting at the dramatic geology that defines this region.
As we roll past the base of Canaan Mountain, the landscape becomes increasingly stark and compelling. To the north, the Utah border looms just a few miles away, and to the south, vast stretches of BLM-managed land form an untouched wilderness. There are no gas stations here. No fast-food joints. Just the open road and the occasional power line stretching toward the horizon. Around mile 20, the small turnoff for Pipe Spring National Monument emerges, almost unexpectedly. Operated by the National Park Service, this historic fort and spring offers a glimpse into 19th-century Mormon pioneer life and Kaibab Paiute culture (Pipe Spring National Monument). The stop is optional, but highly recommended for those interested in the intersection of Native American history and Western expansion.
Beyond Pipe Spring, the road begins a subtle descent into the high-desert valley that cradles the town of Fredonia. Here, the terrain becomes greener, with hints of pastureland and more developed parcels of ranching property. As we near Fredonia, the road straightens and the towering ponderosas of the Kaibab Plateau begin to appear in the distance—a visual cue that the Grand Canyon North Rim is not far beyond. Fredonia itself is quiet and modest, serving primarily as a gateway community for travelers heading to the North Rim or eastward along U.S. 89A toward Kanab, Marble Canyon, or even Page.
Though short in distance, the stretch of Arizona 389 from Colorado City to Fredonia serves as a meditative drive through a part of the West few take the time to see. It’s a road where solitude isn’t a burden—it’s the point. Where the absence of towns, traffic, and distractions creates space for thought, and for appreciation of the stark beauty that defines the Arizona Strip. For those chasing the mythic frontier or seeking serenity far from the interstates, this route delivers.
🎵 Music:
Mario Bava Sleeps In a Little Later Than He Expected To by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/vendaface/
Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/
Piano March by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
🗺️ Route Map
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