Forest Menu
  Introduction

  Activities
Top Picks

Biking
Skiing

  In Depth
More Highlights

Contacts & Links

Index


Related Resources
GORP Arizona

online favorites
December's Top Parks
Active Puerto Rico
Family Travel Blog
Ski Guide 2007
2008 Winter Buyer's Guide
from Outside Online
PARKS
Kaibab National Forest
Arizona

The Kaibab National Forest sits on the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon—its two halves forever separated by the mile-deep ravine. This split personality is reflected in the forest's seemingly improbable juxtaposition of terrain. The lower desert areas of the North Kaibab differ drastically from the alpine slopes of Kendrick's Peak in the South Kaibab. Rolling fields of pinyon-juniper give way to the striking symmetry of aspen groves and lush pine forests.

View of Grand Canyon - from east rim
View of Grand Canyon from East Rim

The Kaibab Plateau is an "island" of forested land surrounded by a sea of sage and grasslands. "Kaibab" is a Paiute Indian word that translates to "mountain lying down." Most of the plateau was set aside in 1893 as part of the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve. In 1908, the Forest Reserve north of the Grand Canyon was renamed the Kaibab National Forest. In 1934, the Tusayan National Forest south of the Grand Canyon was consolidated into the Kaibab National Forest.


Return to *Top



Related Southwest Trips

Road Trip Guides

National Park Guides

Hiking Guides

Today's Gear Guy

Gear Guides
[from Outside magazine]