Badger Canyon (3B III)

Location: Marble Canyon region, near Hwy 89A, northern Arizona
Rating: Intermediate 3B III
Length: Full day to multi day depending on exit
Mileage: ~4 to 6 miles canyon + 4.5 to 5.25 mile exit
Longest Rappel: ~60 ft (18 m). If planning to re-ascend the route, multiple ropes and advanced rope management will be required.
Start: Hwy 89A Bridge (Badger Canyon crossing)
End: Badger Creek / Colorado River drainage (exit dependent)
Permits: Required for overnight or river access
Wetsuit: Possible depending on conditions
Shuttle: Required or complex exit

Overview: Badger Canyon is a remote and technical canyon in the Marble Canyon region featuring multiple rappels, forked routes, and committing exit options. The canyon descends through sculpted rock, polished chutes, and dryfall sequences before entering Badger Creek and eventually the Colorado River drainage.

This is not a beginner route and should be considered an advanced canyon requiring solid rope work, route finding, and exit planning.

Approach: From Flagstaff, drive north on Hwy 89 and turn left onto Hwy 89A toward Jacob Lake. Between mileposts 542 and 543, locate the bridge crossing Badger Canyon. Park safely along the road where space allows. Descend into the drainage and choose between the North Fork or South Fork.

Route Description: The canyon splits into two primary forks before converging into Badger Creek.

Rappels: Estimated 2 to 4 depending on conditions and route choice. The rappel sequence may vary depending on anchor conditions, water flow, and how drops are combined or bypassed.

South Fork Sequence

• Rappel 1: ~50 ft
• Rappel 2: ~40 ft
• Rappel 3: ~40 ft
• Rappel 4: ~60 ft

North Fork Sequence

• Rappel 1: ~40 ft
• Rappel 2: ~60 ft or ~20 ft chute downclimb or ledge bypass
• Rappel 3: ~50 ft

After both forks merge into Badger Creek, continue downstream through dry drainage and minor downclimbs to the final rappel:

• Final Rappel: ~35 ft

Exit Options

• Re ascend ropes and return the way you came.
• South Exit (~4.5 miles): Follow the drainage downstream, then climb steep terrain to the south. Includes boulder hopping, class 4 scrambling, and one 5th class move. Route finding required.
• North Exit (~5.25 miles): Follow the drainage downstream before ascending loose scree slopes and traversing exposed terrain to reach the rim and dirt roads. Navigation required.
• River Exit (Advanced): Some parties packraft the Colorado River to Soap Canyon. This requires an NPS River Assisted Backcountry Travel permit.