Secret Road to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon: Camping Where Few Ever Go
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- A chance encounter with a local Native American revealed one of Arizona's best-kept secrets - a direct route to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Join me as I drive Diamond Creek Road from Peach Springs for an unforgettable overnight adventure at the Colorado River. This 19-mile journey takes you from the desert plateau through dramatic canyon walls to a secluded beach campsite where the mighty Colorado flows.
🏕️ In this video:
Discover the lesser-known Diamond Creek access route
Experience changing landscapes and wildlife encounters
See the dramatic descent from 2,400 feet
Explore riverside camping spots
Watch river rafters launching their adventures
This route is accessible with a standard SUV and represents one of the few places where you can drive directly to the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
📍 Location: Diamond Creek Road, Peach Springs, Arizona
⚠️ Note: Permits required for access
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#Overlanding #GrandCanyon #OffRoadAdventure
I was the ranger there many years ago. Great job. Great place to work. If you see rain clouds threatening above near the top, get out of that canyon. It can be dangerous. Best time to go is the last part of March until May. You will see beautiful cactus blooming. You might see big horn sheep and Gilla Monsters and other cool wildlife there.
I appreciate the insider info, especially about the rain and the timing.
@@dtadventure4x4 can a class C RV make it down there, and are they allowed?
There are so many roads in Northern Arizona that go to interesting places! We're not just desert here in the state, it's a fascinating place to spend some time!
N.Az is the best. I’m from the east coast and spent a semester at NAU traveling around all over the area. Great memories
Those unexpected detours are the gems! I've learned to not be too bummed out if a planned dispersed spot is unavailable (though I usually have a plan A, B and C) because we have discovered some great spots we would not have normally experienced had all of our "planned" spots been available.
I like to say that sometimes, the best things in life happen when you least expect them. :-)
Was at the Grand Canyon about a decade ago & we stopped at a Navajo jewelry stand along the side of the road. The Navajo woman who working was so kind & gave us permission to go explore her backyard she called the Little Grand Canyon. We felt so privileged to get to explore but we didn’t stay long as we didn’t want to overstay our welcome. It was just near the Painted Dessert if I remember correctly. My next trip there I will have my granddaughter with me & we will seek this location out. It looks amazing.
@ItsMeNanaD71, when you were in the Painted Desert, you were in the northern half of Petrified Forest N.P., and right on the south edge of the Navajo Nation. Everywhere you go in that area, the scenery is nothing short of jawdropping.
@ Ngl, I wanted to move into the reservation it was so gorgeous 💕 I wasn’t aware I was in the petrified Forrest tho! I’m planning on visiting again when I take my granddaughter on that trip. Thanks so much for the info! Are you from that area by chance? It wasn’t a planned thing back then, this time I’m going to plan & want to teach my granddaughter as much as I can about the area. We are Cherokee, I’m going to take all my grandkids to do the Trail of Tears drive & to tour the Appalachias where our ancestors are from. I do NOT want them losing touch with their Native ancestors & want them to learn as much as possible about the other tribes. We are in Oklahoma where half the state was built on a Cherokee reservation, literally. They could shut down all of Tulsa if they so choose. Move everyone out. I wouldn’t blame them if they do. Sorry, I digress. Anywho, thanks again for the info! Can’t wait to make it back there 💕 It’s truly the most beautiful place in America I’ve ever seen.
This video deserves all the likes, it's so well-made and interesting.
Lived in area for many years, there are always new areas to discover, I live live 12 miles West of Seligman and there are many off-road excursions with Indian ruins, old deserted ranches, etc.
Enjoyed your video, keep exploring!
Thanks for pointing out other opportunities for me to explore and thank you for watching my video!! I appreciate it.
I live off Hyde Park Rd. Howdy neighbor 😁
I know exactly where that is! I was a River Runner for the tribe and saw that road 5X a week. Welcome 🤗
Thank you for sharing. That is very cool. Did I miss anything important that you know of?
What a great place to camp! I love that you are sharing your experience with your dog.
Yeah, Shelby loved exploring down there! She is not a fan of driving, but she enjoys exploring when we get to a destination.
I own a ranch east of Peach Springs 17 miles south of Grand Canyon. Beautiful place.
Oh, that is cool. Horses? Cattle?
I'll be there the day after Christmas! Thanks for showing me what I have to look forward too.
Oh, nice. Bring some bug spray. I still have some scars from those ankle-biters.
One should be aware of the weather upstream when driving into Diamond Creek. As with all these side canyons, the Diamond Creek road is subject to large flash floods. Be mindful of where you park, and be prepared to be stuck there for a few days until the heavy equipment re-opens the road.
Yeah, I was thinking that road would probably be a raging river if a lot of rain gets dumped upstream somewhere!
Fantastic road trip and the scenery down the Grand Canyon is just breathtaking! Sweet pup too! They make the best companions, especially on solo road trips and camping!
Thanks for sharing and I’m looking forward to watching more. Much better than watching tv!
Happy trails to you, Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Year!
Thank you for watching and the kind words. I hope you enjoyed the video and Merry Christmas to you too! :-)
Great video! That was fun to watch. Need to see the pup having such a great time. Looks like a couple great places to go metal detecting along those beaches
Thank you for watching. Yeah, Shelby seemed to have a lot of fun down there. She is not a big fan of driving, but once we get to a destination she loves to explore.
Incredable! Thanks for taking us along
I am glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for watching and taking the time to leave a comment.
You can arrange a rafting trip in Peach Springs with the Indian Tribe . I have done the trip 3 times and it is fantastic ! The trips are I believe run from April through October and are one day trips that go down the river 50 some miles . As part of the trip you can also arrange a helicopter ride which is breathtaking ! This should be one of your Bucket List trips !……
Thanks for the tip! I am adding it to my list! :-)
At 14:19 you can see the regular high water mark on the canyon wall from flash flooding. Imagine that.
Your dog is loving it.That's so cool
Ive been to the grandcanyon 3 times and didn't know about this road! Will keep it in mind if I ever go again!
I'm glad you found it interesting!
Wonderful Thank you!!!
I am glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for watching.
You were on the Hualapai Reservation. The beach USED to be the take out point for those rafting in the Canyon from Lee's Ferry, but the Natives closed it to private groups, so now we have to go all the way down to Lake Mead. The rafters you saw had contracted with the Hualapais to do the lower canyon.
Interesting. Thank you for sharing!
We took out there in May 2024 and we were a private float trip.
I like it there and we visit soon! Thanks for sharing! Safe travels
Safe travels to you as well!
Greetings from the Diamond Creek Road. We enjoyed this awesome drive to the Grand Canyon. Appreciate your work. I posted a video of this amazing backcountry road and its amazing end, the Grand Canyon. We have been to many of the places you have. I started my own travel channel in January and look forward to hitting 1000 subs and the 4000 watch hours. I love the challenge and especially enjoy sharing this gorgeous country with as many people as I can. I have gobs of information and experience because I’ve traveled this country fulltime for over 31 years and been to over 250 National Parks, hundreds of State Parks and other public hiking locations. We enjoy “out of the way” adventures. This one was extra special. Safe travels to you. Edit on!
You just gained another subscriber ;-). Keep making videos. The Grand Canyon one blew up on my channel and catapulted me over the 1,000 subscriber mark and then doubled my subscriber count altogether. See down the road ... :-)
@@dtadventure4x4 I need that to happen. Thank you for the encouragement and subscribing.
Watching your stories from Korea. Wish oneday I can do the trip like what you are doing now. Wonderful views and exciting trips.
Thank you so much for watching. I really appreciate it :-)
Diamond Creek is on the Hualapai Reservation, so it's not part of Grand Canyon National Park. Enjoyable video.
Thank you for sharing that detail and for watching the video!
Nice place! I wanted to go camp at the Grand Canyon in Nov. when I drove Route 66 but was not liking the 20 degrees at night. I did have a propane heater but still have to go at night alot😂😂!
Yeah, the weather can be tricky down there. In my case it was 57-ish during the night.
This is great but the grand canyon has so much more to show you🎉
Yes, it does. I love the Grand Canyon. Have you done a "Rim to Rim to Rim? yet"
Peach Springs and Diamond Creek are 2 of the western remote heavens of GNP .
Drive this way the week before Thanksgiving. Thought it was one of the prettiest drives in AZ. Thanks for sharing
I agree, it is a special place. I am glad you enjoyed it too!
Beautiful, thanks for video ❤
You are very welcome! I am glad you enjoyed it.
I didn't realize Werner Herzog was an Overlander! Beautiful cinematography, one of his best documentaries yet! I've known about this place but now it's going on to the list of paddling destinations for 2025.
I guess the accent gave it away ;-). Thank you for watching anyway!!!!
It's a very beautiful country alto, arizona, and if everyone explore go to red river in new mexico and look around there, it's beautiful, too
This scenery is dramatic & impressive, but not friendly to someone who loves trees ! So I enjoyed this video - thank you - but this is not somewhere I will be planning to go. Always a good thing to learn about places you did not know of course !
I've been out west 3 different times, and while I do think it's absolutely beautiful, I, too, know I would miss the trees and was always happy to see greenery again!
That's kind of how it is for me and the Colorado Rockies. Lived south of Denver for 18 years before moving out West.
Awesome video! Thanks for sharing 😊
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Shelby will be dry by tonight 💥😂👍👌
Nice trek, snakes in the rocks.
You may not need high clearance, but if in a car, make sure you have higher mil rated tires. Otherwise, a flat tire is possible on jagged rocks.
Lovely video Shelby. I really enjoyed your explanation of the road and view. Shawn and Corinne (Travels of Red Rover)
Thanks so much Shawn and Corinne for watching! Will check out your channel over the next few days, but subscribed already :-)
@ - Thanks Shelby. We live in Southern Utah. If you are ever interested in getting together for a shoot just let us know. Bye for now Shawn.
Just think of getting into the water as one of those ice baths!😂
I was thinking of that actually, but being there by myself made me reconsider for safety reasons. On the surface it looked like there we no significant currents, but that + the temperature of the water concerned me a little bit. I carry a Garmin Mini 2 GPS for emergencies, but I decided to play it safe.
Nice....thanks for showing
I am glad you enjoyed the video!
Just did this back in October! Great ride!
Thank you for watching my video and chiming in. I agree - such a great place :-)
For those who don't know already, Peach Springs is the main town/village of the Hualapai (WAH-lah-pie), relatives of the nearby Havasupai (have-uh-SUE-pie), who live at the bottom of Havasu Canyon (HAVE-uh-sue), and Falls of the same name. They're also the group that owns the nearby Grand Canyon Skywalk.
I agree with your assessment of the scenery at 1:50. It really is beautiful there. I've backpacked in the national park 3 times to the bottom, as well as twice to Havasu Canyon. Even though I've been here, as well as NYC, Alaska and Hawai'i, it's sometimes hard to believe it's all found in the same country. The variety here is staggering, even for a lifelong American.
If it said "No drone flying", it means you're in the N.P., since outside of it, there aren't any restrictions.
Since you have Shelby with you, it seems that you're likely from Germany, Austria or Switzerland, but are living here now, maybe even a naturalized citizen. Either way, willkommen. This is my first experience with you, and it was a pleasant surprise. Danker!
I am originally from Germany, but been living in the states since 1998. This is where I feel home and became in a citizen in 2003. I love your opinion and comment!!!! Thak you for watching and leaving a coment.
Many years ago my husband and I backpacked down to phantom ranch in the park system and then also to Havasu canyon! Havasu was absolutely beautiful! Paradise really!
@@darlenemckay265, did you camp there, or stay in the lodge there? The first time, I was in a rather primitive cabin on the outskirts of the village of Supai (SUE-pie), and the next time I camped out past the gate on the way to the falls. That time, there was a flash flood, so we all had to hightail it out of there. It also did a lot of damage to Havasu Falls (HAVE-uh-sue).
@@jimgreen5788 we tent camped in both places!
Awesome video, I'm hoping to do this in the spring / thx for sharing
Thanks for watching - I hope it helps you plan! Watch the temperatures. It will get hot down there.
Thanks
I never knew that road existed!! Dang it!!sometimes no plan is the best plan!! What a great opportunity and you had wisdom to take it!! I’m not a “permit” camper but I would have made an exception for that trip!!
They seem strict on their permits in this area, but I agree - there are exceptions worth making. This is one of them.
Beautiful drive!
What possessed the "Ranger" to write down your CC numbers even after he had ran it earlier ? That would spook me 😯, watch your statements closely for a while.
Good advice. I appreciate it. Not sure how they usually handle these things. There is zero cell reception down in the canyon, so I assume it is standard procedure for them on days when the office is closed.
I drove this road in in my Rav 4 in April of 2024. It’s worth it. Enjoy
Fun video! Just an FYI though, having Shelby "sleep outside" in that area of the country could be disasterous. There are VERY large packs of coyotes all through out the southwesten US, and they can and will work togather to even kill & eat horses.
Thank you for sharing and caring. I really appreciate it. We have experienced coyotes before. Shelby always sleeps inside.
Excellent video
Thank you for watching!
Take me with you!
Thank you for sharing this with us. It's so beautiful.
You are welcome, I am glad you enjoyed the video!
Thank you
I will be on the road in 2025, your video just made my southwest US bucket list. Thanks!
That’s awesome! It’s a beautiful place and well worth the effort.
Looks like it will be a really great setup. Bullet proof engine. Am looking forward to if it can do highway/turnpike speeds. Good luck with it all.
Mine is the 7.3 gas engine (Godzilla). The truck has zero problems going 80 or 90. MPG will suffer in those moment. I usually travel slower - 71/72 is my preferred speed. It allows me to look around and eventually stop or slow down if I see something interesting.
And now everyone will go there
I'm going 🤷🏻♂️ I appreciate videos like this so I can take my sons and spend quality time with them.
The temperature at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is about the same as Phoenix. I wouldn't drive this road during the Monsoon season. Flash floods on Diamond Creek. This is where they take out the 2 week motor rafts and they do a one day one day trip to Lake Mead.
Thanks for sharing. That is quite interesting. I figured there would be flash flood issues. Every few miles was some heavy machinery that looked like being used to plow the road.
So awesome!
Glad you enjoyed the video!
It's obviously not a secret road. But your video is very well presented and I really like your truck and camper.
Thank you for watching my video and your kind words. I really appreciate it. I love the truck and camper. I have tour videos on my channel in case you are interested in more details.
next time please give us a rundown on the truck specification as well as the specs on thcamper especially who you rented it from. thank you
@deanmorales-bs7kv He owns the truck and camper; not rental. Watch his other videos for the walkthroughs inside and out and of the build process.
Once I drove a gravel road from Richland to Huntington, Oregon along the Snake River. It was in late summer. It was a very bad road but I was just out exploring. When the road was near the river, the smell was awful, and the bugs were worse. I had been prepared to camp out but instead got out of there as fast as I could. Did the Colorado river stink also???
No smell. Just biting bugs ;-)
Well I need to know where that is, a trip is in order.
Peach Springs is easy to find on the old Rte 66 maybe 20 miles off the 40. Last time I was near there I was coming back from paddling on the Green River, had my kayak with me, but not enough time to go all the way down and paddle, on the list now for 2025!!!
Shelby loved it!!
Yes, she did :-). She usually stays away from water and here she went into the cold Colorado River.
Great video! I’ve been wanting to drive it and after your video definitely going to. I’ve hiked the R2R as well, Amazing! I’m wondering, other than the trail you did in the video are there more trails down there to hike?
Again, great video. All the best to you and Shelby in the New Years
I am glad you enjoyed it! I am not aware of other trails down there. Congrats on your R2R. Such an accomplishment to be proud of. :-)
Good vid.Lovely dog Shelby.
Thank you! 😀
I couldn’t have a dog because how Shelby rolled in the dirt. Too bad the bugs were bad.
Sand is not too bad to clean up once it is dry. Mud on the other side ...
swimming in the Colorado River is super dangerous. especially if you're alone.
on the river trips, you only swim in the tributaries.
Yes, I agree. While the area where I was seemed to have "protection from the current", I decided not to go in due to be alone. The water was very cold and I was concerned about currents under the surface.
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it.
And Shelby said come on in the waters fine
Yes, and I chickened out because it was so cold lol :-)
I am sorry if I missed it . . . what specifically was the date you visited? I think it is awesome that no one was there, I figure "high season" would be crowded.
Late November ...
Nice vid. I need to do that one day. 👍. Cool Chanel. New sub 👍
Thank you for watching and subscribing! I hope you get to go down there one day.
@ I hope so as well. Looks awesome in the winter I would think. Summer might be a bit warm. We have similar interests. Cool channel. 👍👍
The hot springs are nearby
Where?
What kind of camper are you using?
It is a Rossmonster Baja. They are based in Longmont, CO. I have tour videos on my channel if you are interested in more details about the rig:
Outside tour: th-cam.com/video/Uhbnu3o_Ai4/w-d-xo.html
Inside tour: th-cam.com/video/TSWo4zi9WUk/w-d-xo.html
Wonderful video! Just found your channel and I'm a new subscriber.I 'm curious -- do you think I could drive this road in my 24 ft. FWD Sprinter van?
If that big box truck could make the drive I’d think your Sprinter would have no problems. I’m in a ford e350 and I plan on giving it a shot👍🏻. Happy and safe travels to you.
Yes, absolutely - but check with the permit office regarding the road conditions. After heavy rains it could be more challenging. If you drive down there in similar conditions when I went, no 4X4 is needed.
Take a polar plunge! What a wonderful pup Shelby is!
Next time :-)
Great video, I just subscribed.
Was curious on how long it took to get to the campground from Peach Springs. At 19 miles I'm thinking 1 to 1.5 hours?
Yeah, that is probably the time you are looking at if the road is in good condition. Some of the washboards were painful to drive and I took it slowly, but your mileage may vary.
FROM OKLAHOMA: GREAT JOB, WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BEEN THERE, PERHAPS "SOMEDAY"? GOD SPEED AND THANKS.
gREAT DOG, THAT YOUR FURRY FRIEND.😊😊
Thanks for watching - I hope you get a chance to see it someday!
So one thing about the Grand canyon if you're not in the national Park you're not in the Grand canyon
The river rafters all go there. It is not a secret at all! Things there,,,if they get too crazy the tribe will shut it down. They have a lot of power there!
I've been down there, those rafting tour company vehicles drive up and down there way to fast, throwing up rocks at your windshield as they speed by...Otherwise it's a nice drive & destination...
I am sure during their busy season a lot more traffic will happen and with that come these type of problems.
Where did you get your rig? What company?
The company is called Rossmonster and the model is the "Baja". I have a detailed tour of my rig on my channel and I also toured their facility.
How much was the permit to camp there?
It was a little under $22
Can you set up a tent and camp on that beach?
There is a very small number of sites right at the beach where you could do that. I assume they are for people kayaking or river rafting down the river, but would not see a reason why you cannot use them after driving down there. None of them were occupied when I made it down there.
Thank You Sir , Does this dirt road have a number so I can find it ?
I Google it and it looks like county road 6. That's the road that goes from Peach Springs to the Colorado River, crossing over the Diamond Creek to the Diamond Creek Campground
I see a 6 on Google Maps, but cannot tell if that is considered the road number. The road is called Diamond Creek and it starts in Peach Springs at the Route 66
@@dtadventure4x4 Looks like Diamond Creek Road goes North from Rt 66 through town. Then to an intersection where it turns west and if you stay straight/ north it turns to county road 6. I believe the number in a square indicates that it's a county road. If you follow that road north you'll see it crosses over Diamond Creek a few times just before it takes you to the beach/campground at the Colorado River
Wow….great spot. How much were those permits? I guess you are on Native American land.
Yeah, tribal land. $21.77 for the permit in my case which included camping. Not sure if it is per person or per vehicle.
not raining, so why the cap
Peach Springs and the road and camp site are on the Indian Reservation. The Tribe runs everything. The Rangers and Police belong to the Tribe. This means Arizona State has no authority and the Federal Government has very limited authority. Be respectful and follow all rules and you should have a good time. Violating Tribal law can be a life changing experience. This is there land and it has religious significance to them.
May I know what kind of camper you have very nice.
Hi there. It is a Rossmonster Baja. They are based in Longmont, CO. I have tour videos on my channel if you are interested in more details:
Outside tour: th-cam.com/video/Uhbnu3o_Ai4/w-d-xo.html
Inside tour: th-cam.com/video/TSWo4zi9WUk/w-d-xo.html
You have to call about a dinkey a year ahead of time.
Not a secret another TH-camr put a video up a year or two ago and showed you how to get the permanent 😂!
Any fish?
I did not see any.
What is the name of the actual campground? Thanks.
There is no official name for the campground. It is referred to as Diamond Creek Beach or the Diamond Creek boat launch/camping area. Here is a link to their flyer from last year - with contact information: hualapai-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DIAMOND-CREEK-BROCHURE.pdf
You did not mention cost?
Liked the video
Also subscribed
Thank you for watching and subscribing. The permit for one day - including camping was $21.77. I am not sure if they charge by person or party.
@dtadventure4x4 thank you
Is the permit just for one night or can you stay longer
You can stay longer, but the permit is more expensive accordingly.
How much is the permit?
$21.77 in my case.
What road was it that you traveled on?
It is called "Diamond Creek Road". It starts in Peach Springs, AZ. There is a small park in the center of this town and that is where you take a right. It's about a mile of pavement before you hit the dirt road. But before you head down to the canyon, get your permit. There is a "rock house" just 100-ish yards from the park. That is where you can obtain a permit. If they are closed, you can buy a permit from the ranger that you will probably meet on your way down.
Everything is a "secret" if you don't have a map!
It’s not a secret that’s how they get people to the river rafting tours that you can go on
looks like an old pit mine
what was the temps at the bottom ?
It was quite warm. Low 80s during the afternoon and upper 50s (almost 60) overnight. I can only assume that it must be really hot down there during the summer.
Secret...? I don't think so. Just zoom in on the map in a browser and you'll know the name of the road. A local Jeep club and I are planning on rolling down there soon.. $!5.00 a person is a bit steep for just driving down there and looking. Maybe we'll have a little lunch break while we're there..