State Route 389

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Arizona State Route 389

Arizona 389 is an isolated route that provides access to the Arizona Strip. The route begins at the Arizona/Utah state line in Colorado City, and travels across BLM lands to Fredonia, where it meets U.S. 89A.

Arizona 389 was added to the state highway system in 1960, and completed on August 11, 1967. Prior to the completion of Arizona 389, Colorado City was not on the state highway system.

Arizona State Route 389 East
SR 389 enters the state from Utah in the town of Colorado City. Colorado City is dominated by the FLDS, a breakaway sect of the Mormon Church that still believes in Polygamy. This is a distance sign to Fredonia and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

SR 389 enters the state from Utah in the town of Colorado City. Colorado City is dominated by the FLDS, a breakaway sect of the Mormon Church that still believes in Polygamy. This is a distance sign to Fredonia and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

06/24/07

SR 389 crosses Short Creek. Colorado City used to be known as Short Creek until the Short Creek raids of 1953 (designed to catch polygamists). After the raids, the town was renamed to erase the stigma of the raids.

SR 389 crosses Short Creek. Colorado City used to be known as Short Creek until the Short Creek raids of 1953 (designed to catch polygamists). After the raids, the town was renamed to erase the stigma of the raids.

06/24/07

SR 389 meets Central Street here. The highway bypasses downtown Colorado City, partially due to the wishes of notoriously reclusive residents. Unfinished buildings are seen throughout the town, and partially due to 1960s road design philosophy.

SR 389 meets Central Street here. The highway bypasses downtown Colorado City, partially due to the wishes of notoriously reclusive residents. Unfinished buildings are seen throughout the town, and partially due to 1960s road design philosophy.

06/24/07

Now leaving Colorado City, we see a turnoff for the town of Cane Beds. Cane Beds is an offshoot community of Colorado City, where many former FLDS members now live.

Now leaving Colorado City, we see a turnoff for the town of Cane Beds. Cane Beds is an offshoot community of Colorado City, where many former FLDS members now live.

06/24/07

Distance sign to Pipe Spring National Monument.

Distance sign to Pipe Spring National Monument.

06/24/07

SR 389 enters the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation here.

SR 389 enters the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation here.

06/24/07

SR 389 is a short road. Pipe Spring National Monument marks the halfway point, and this shield is one of the few along the road.

SR 389 is a short road. Pipe Spring National Monument marks the halfway point, and this shield is one of the few along the road.

06/24/07

Pipe Spring National Monument is a Mormon fort built around Pipe Spring, a natural spring at the base of the cliffs. The fort was built to support ranching operations conducted under the Mormon Church in the 1800s.

Pipe Spring National Monument is a Mormon fort built around Pipe Spring, a natural spring at the base of the cliffs. The fort was built to support ranching operations conducted under the Mormon Church in the 1800s.

06/24/07

Turn left at the Pipe Spring turnoff to reach the towns of Kaibab and Moccasin, both located on the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation.

Turn left at the Pipe Spring turnoff to reach the towns of Kaibab and Moccasin, both located on the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation.

06/24/07

Distance sign to Fredonia and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Distance sign to Fredonia and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

06/24/07

This is a typical view of SR 389 as it travels through the sparsely populated Arizona strip.

This is a typical view of SR 389 as it travels through the sparsely populated Arizona strip.

06/24/07

Toroweap is an overlook along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This is the lowest overlook (in elevation) along the rim, but it is accessed by a 61 mile long dirt road. High clearance vehicles are mandatory.

Toroweap is an overlook along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This is the lowest overlook (in elevation) along the rim, but it is accessed by a 61 mile long dirt road. High clearance vehicles are mandatory.

06/24/07

Distance sign to Fredonia and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Distance sign to Fredonia and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

06/24/07

Turn left to reach Sixmile Village. The Village is part of the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation.

Turn left to reach Sixmile Village. The Village is part of the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation.

06/24/07

SR 389 enters the town of Fredonia. Fredonia, the largest town of the Arizona Strip, is a cattle and ranching center. Many Polygamists moved to Fredonia in the late 1800s to escape scrutiny in Utah, although the town abolished Polygamy when the Mormon Church abolished the practice in 1890.

SR 389 enters the town of Fredonia. Fredonia, the largest town of the Arizona Strip, is a cattle and ranching center. Many Polygamists moved to Fredonia in the late 1800s to escape scrutiny in Utah, although the town abolished Polygamy when the Mormon Church abolished the practice in 1890.

06/24/07

Advance signage for U.S. 89A, 1/2 mile.

Advance signage for U.S. 89A, 1/2 mile.

06/24/07

This group of signs marks the end of SR 389. Commercial traffic must turn left to reach the Arizona inspection station along US 89A at the state line, where there is also a welcome center and rest area.

This group of signs marks the end of SR 389. Commercial traffic must turn left to reach the Arizona inspection station along US 89A at the state line, where there is also a welcome center and rest area.

06/24/07

There is no end shield posted for SR 389. The road ends unceremoniously here at US 89A. Traffic turning left heads north to Kanab, Utah, while traffic turning right travels east to Jacob Lake and eventually to US 89 at Bitter Springs.

There is no end shield posted for SR 389. The road ends unceremoniously here at US 89A. Traffic turning left heads north to Kanab, Utah, while traffic turning right travels east to Jacob Lake and eventually to US 89 at Bitter Springs.

06/24/07

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U.S. 89AU.S. 89A

Page Updated Saturday July 14, 2007.