Arizona Saloon Closes for First Time in 43 Years Due to Flooding
Arizona's off-grid Desert Bar closes after flooding washes out access road, marking first weather-related shutdown in 43 years.
POLICY WIRE — Parker, Arizona — A historic off-grid saloon in Arizona has closed for the first time in its 43-year history due to severe flooding that destroyed the only road leading to the remote location.
The Nellie E Saloon, also known as the Desert Bar, is located in a secluded canyon north of Parker. The cash-only establishment runs entirely on solar power and is accessible via a five-mile dirt road. It typically opens only on weekends from October through April.
A sudden deluge following an October 11 Flash Flood Warning from the National Weather Service turned the trail into an impassable waterway, forcing the venue to shut down. Manager Stephanie Rangoussis said safety concerns led to the decision to keep the bar and adjacent cookhouse closed until conditions improve.
Visitors who had traveled long distances to experience the unique setting were left disappointed. One group from South Dakota had planned to visit only on Sunday, while another from Texas was scheduled to leave before the expected reopening.
The saloon, which dates back to 1975, was originally built on land once part of a copper mining site. Founder Ken Murphy started the business in 1983 using a temporary structure and later expanded it into a permanent bar with distinctive features like brass countertops and custom steel bar stools.
Over the years, the property grew to include a steel church, an outdoor bar, and a solar-powered well drilled 360 feet deep to provide water without truck deliveries.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
