In Red Rock Country most of the trails are multi-use trails which work well for equestrians, mountain bikers and hikers. There are many that are recommended for horses and many others that are not. Trails in the Oak Creek Area are not recommended because they are relatively short, very steep, and very narrow and the trailheads do not accommodate horse trailers. Road side parking along 89A in Oak Creek Canyon is very narrow and with the heavy traffic does not allow the safe un-loading and loading of horses.
Our staff has evaluated our trails and trailheads and has recommended the following trails. These recommendations depend on three primary criteria: ease of road access, parking for large rigs (truck and horse trailer) and trails that can be ridden by the beginning to intermediate equestrian who follows reasonable horse safety practices. Please be aware that trailheads are primitive, have limited or no facilities but have been evaluated for adequate turn around space. The Red Rock District is trying to improve equestrian facilities but this takes time and lots of funds. This list is intended to help equestrians with trip planning and to help equestrians enjoy Red Rock Country. We like horses!
| Trail |
|
HIGHLIGHTS
|
| Brins Mesa Trail and Trailhead |
3.2 miles |
Trailhead located 2 miles up FR152 (Dry Creek Road). Road to trailhead is bumpy and rocky but accessible to two-wheel drive vehicles with trailers. Trailheads are located on both sides of the road; however the one on the west side is the best for trailers and has a 100 ft. diameter with adequate turn around space. Camping is not allowed and there are no facilities. Brins Mesa Trail is 3.2 miles long with moderate challenge level, passes through the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, and ties into the Soldiers Pass and Jim Thompson Trails as well as other Red Rock Trails. No water is available on this trail. |
| Jim Thompson Trail and Trailhead |
3 miles |
Recent re-construction now provides the following facilities: a toilet, parking and turn-around for six to eight large horse trailers, a kiosk and vehicle barriers. The Jim Thompson Trailhead is located near the heart of Sedona at the end of Jordan Road. For equestrian parking, continue toward the back, past the vehicle pull-in parking, to a large parking area with adequate turn around space. Camping is not allowed at the Jim Thompson Trailhead. This Trailhead provides equestrian access to the Jim Thompson, Brins Mesa, Wilson Mountain Trail, the Jordan Trail and the Cibola Pass Trails. It is a “Hub” Trailhead and is a primary access to the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness. The Wilson Mountain Trail is recommended for experienced equestrians only due to the 2,300 ft. elevation gain and the narrow tread in a few spots. The only tank on this trail is Steamboat Tank south of Wilson Canyon but this tank is often dry. Water is not available on Wilson Mountain. |
| Munds Wagon Trail |
4 miles |
The Munds Wagon Trail is located on the Schnebly Hill Road (FR 153). The Huckaby Trailhead currently doesn’t have good facilities for equestrians. There is a good trailhead located on the left side of the Schnebly Hill Road 1 mile beyond the Huckaby Trailhead adjacent to the Munds Wagon Trail. The equestrian trailhead has room enough to park 3 to 5 full size rigs and room for pull-in, pull-out parking without backing. There are no facilities at the trailhead and camping is not allowed. Trails that can be accessed from this trailhead include the Huckaby, Munds Wagon, Margs Draw and Schnebly Trails.
The Munds Wagon Trail is a historical route used from the 1880’s until 1915 as a trail. After 1915 it was reconstructed as a road. The Munds Wagon Trail is 4 miles long. There is one short (100 yd.) detour back to the Schnebly Hill Road for horses. This is to avoid a dangerous slick rock slot canyon at the 1.5 mile point of the trail. No water is available at the trailhead or on the trail. During the winter, spring and fall there is sometimes water in Bear Wallow Canyon. The trail crosses Bear Wallow Canyon at numerous points. |
| Girdner Trail and Cultural Park Trailhead |
4.5 miles |
The Cultural Park Trailhead provides equestrian access to the Girdner Trail (4 miles), the Rupp Trail (2 miles), Dawa 1.7 miles), Cockscomb (2.6 miles), and the Arizona Cypress (1.7 miles). No camping is allowed at the trailhead. The trailhead is located at the old Cultural Park just west of the junction of Hwy 89A and the Upper Red Rock Loop Road in west Sedona. Just follow the road to the old Cultural Park and pull into the trailhead and the end of the road. There is plenty of room to turn around at the trailhead for large rigs. |
| Dry Creek Trailhead |
6.2 mile loop |
This trailhead is located 3 miles northwest of Sedona on the Dry Creek Road (FR 152). It has adequate room for equestrian rigs. It gets sandy near the back end but has enough room for 3 to 4 rigs. It provides access to the Arizona Cypress, Cockscomb, Dawa and Rupp Trails. The site is occasionally used by shooters. No camping is allowed in this area. |
| Doe Mountain / Fay Canyon Trailhead |
12 miles |
This newly constructed trailhead is located just opposite from the original Fay Canyon Trailhead on Boynton Pass road. Boynton Pass road is now paved from its junction with the Dry Creek Road, all the way to this new trailhead. Although there are no designated parking spaces for trucks with trailers, there is abundant parking and trucks with trailers are most often able to pull through and park into two head-to-head parking spots. This trailhead provides access to not only the Fay Canyon Trail, but also the network of trails on the south side of the Boynton Pass Road which includes Girdner Trail (4 miles), Rupp Trail (2 miles), Dawa (1.7 miles), Cockscomb (2.6 miles) and Arizona Cypress (1.7 miles). |
| Sycamore Pass / Dogie Trailheads |
|
The Sycamore Pass Trailhead provides access to the Dogie Trail and the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. It is located 16 miles northwest of Sedona. Take 89A to FR 525 (Red Canyon Ranch Road) 2.5 miles to FR 525c then follow the signs 8 miles to the trailhead. There are no equestrian facilities at the trailhead but there is adequate space for a couple truck/trailer rigs one-half mile before the end of the road in the Cabin Tank area- watch for the “No Trailers Past This Point” signs. The best place for big rigs to park is at the Casner Mountain Trailhead at 9.5 miles from 89A just before you get to the big powerlines. There is a good camping spot at the road switchback down in the shallow canyon past Black Tank. Camping and campfires are allowed. There is usually water in Cabin Tank. Check in advance with the Ranger Station as to water availability in Sycamore Canyon. |
| Black Tank Trailhead |
11 miles |
Black Tank is a great staging area for equestrian access to the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness and the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. It is located 7.5 miles from 89A on FR 525c. There is adequate room for equestrian rigs. There is usually water available in Black Tank and camping is allowed in the area, just don't camp within a quarter mile of the tank according to Arizona Game and Fish regulations. The Black Tank Trailhead provides access to the Mooney (4.2 miles) and an excellent loop up the Mooney Trail and down the Casner Mountain Trail (6.8 miles) or using is a base for trips using the Dogie and Sycamore Basin Trails. There is an excellent camp sport located one mile past Black Tank on FR 525c by the road switchback. |
| Loy Canyon Trail |
5 miles |
There is no room for equestrian rigs at the Loy Canyon Trailhead located 12 miles northwest of Sedona on FR 795. There is adequate room one mile east of the Loy Canyon Trail on the right side of FR 195. There are no facilities and camping is not allowed. There is a dangerous spot as the Loy Canyon Trail climbs towards Secret mountain Saddle at the end of the trail (4 mile point). This section is dangerous for horses with solid/slick rock outcrops where horses can slip. The first four miles of the trial is good for horses. |
| Deer Pass Trailhead / Kachina Trail System |
11 miles |
The “Kachina” Trail System is an 11 miles system of equestrian trails which access lower Oak Creek south of Sedona. They were historically used by Trail Horse Adventures, an equestrian Outfitter Guide, which used to operate on the Red Rock Ranger District.
For best equestrian access take Hwy. 89A south of Sedona to the Deer Pass Ranch Road (FR 89b) located 6 miles south of the Sedona City Limits. Go .25 miles up the Deer Pass Ranch Road and you will see a newly constructed trailhead on the right side of the road, where there is parking for up to eight trucks with large trailers. From this trailhead, follow the rock cairns east which will take you up the road .25 miles and through a horse-gate near a larger, locked green gate. This provides access to the historic Lime Kiln Trail (keep following the basketed rock cairns) as well as the Kachina Trails System. Maps of this trail system are available at the Red Rock Ranger District. The trail system is currently lettered with each segment signed with the letter “A”, “P”, “L” etc. These trails offer excellent views of Oak Creek and the Red Rocks. |
Bruce Brockett Trailhead
- Bell Trail
- Apache Maid Trail
- White Mesa Trail
- Long Canyon
|
18 to 28 miles |
A half-mile trail from the recently constructed Bruce Brockett trailhead accesses the Bell Trail which goes up Wet Beaver Creek and provides access to the Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness. Once on the Bell Trail, one has access to the Apache Maid and White Mesa Trails. All of these trails are good equestrian trails and allow long loop rides taking one day or more. The Bell Trail offers views of Beaver Creek. At the 3.5 mile point the Bell Trail crosses Beaver Creek and climbs up the ridge between Long Canyon and Beaver Creek and at the 5 mile point tops the rim. This trail as well as the Apache Maid Trail has a 1,600 ft. vertical climb to the rim. At the top, the trail is harder to find but with a good map (using the Casner Mountain and Apache Maid Topos available at the Red Rock District office) and following trail markers you can do the Bell/Apache Maid Loop (approximately 28 miles) or the Bell/Long Canyon Trail Loop (approximately 18 miles). These routes include several unimproved roads so make sure you get more information and good maps at the Ranger Station before attempting these.
For access to these trails, take I-17 to Hwy 179 junction (Sedona Highway). At this junction, take FR 618 east (AWAY from Sedona) 2 miles. At the top of the hill just before the Ranger Station, go to the left or north and park by the lagoons. This turn is marked by a sign indicating horse trailer parking. There is adequate room for up to 12 large trailers there. There are toilets and camping at the trailhead is allowed. To reach the Bell Trail, follow the signs to go thru the gates to the east of the lagoon road or ride the short distance over a small mountain saddle down onto the Bell Trail. |
| West Clear Creek Trail and Trailhead (Bull Pen) |
8.5 miles |
The West Clear Creek Trail is 8.5 miles one way from Bull Pen to Bald Hill at the top of the rim. it climbs 1,800 feet (mostly the last 2 miles from West Clear Creek to the top of the rim near Bald Hill). For trail access take I-17 to FR 618 (at the I-17 / Hwy 179 junction) go 10 miles to the Bull Pen Road (FR 215) and go two miles to the canyon bottom, then take the road to the left at the canyon bottom and go .5 miles to the trailhead. To access the equestrian trail, ride down the pipe fence towards the creek where you will find a horse trail that leads back to the main trail (old road) into the upper part of Bull Pen. At upper Bull Pen (one mile) go to the right along the lower pasture where you will find a creek crossing made for equestrians. There is a hiker crossing where the Bull Pen Pasture narrows down into a box canyon but it is unsafe for equestrians.
The best part of the trail for equestrians is the first 6 miles from Bull Pen to the Big Springs area before the trail climbs out of the canyon. The portion of the trail that climbs out of the canyon is for expert horsemen only due to its steep and narrow condition. The West Clear Creek Trail is almost entirely in the West Clear Creek Wilderness. From there camping and campfires are allowed at the trailhead and in the Wilderness. There is a toilet at the trailhead. Larger rigs can make it to the trailhead but it is not recommended for large RV's or truck / trailer rigs over 40 feet in length. Access the top of the West Clear Creek Trail is very rough via FR 214 (the Cedar Flat Road) and is not recommended for low slung large rigs. |
| Towel Creek Trail |
6.4 miles |
The Towel Creek Trail is located 9 miles south of Hwy 260 (General Crook Hwy) off FR 708 (the Fossil Springs Road). Go past the Needle Rock Ranch Headquarters .5 mils to the trailhead.
You can park there and turn your rig around at the top of the hill (1.5 miles south of FR 708) on the Fossil Springs Road. The Towel Creek Trail goes from the Fossil Creek Road 8 miles to the Verde River opposite Brown Springs. It is best to go as far as the Towel Creek Line Shack (a metal shack) at the 5 mile point. The trail gets obscure after that point and can be hard to follow. The trail offers great views of Hackberry Mountain and Towel Peak at Towel Saddle. The trail climbs at a steady grade to Towel Saddle (there is usually water in Towel Tanks, 2 miles) and then descends into Towel Creek to the Line Shack. It then climbs the ridge north of the Line Shack and curves around to the west to the Verde River. |
| Parsons Trail and Trailhead |
4 miles |
The Parsons Trail and Trailhead is located 9 miles north of Clarkdale. Follow Hwy 89A. Between Cottonwood and Clarkdale follow the signs towards Tuzigoot National Monument. Cross the Tuzigoot Bridge across the Verde River. Take the road to the left just after you cross the river. This is FR 131 ten miles to the Parsons Trailhead. The trailhead is located on private land where there is no camping allowed. You can camp in Duff Flat 2.5 miles before the trailhead. There is adequate turn around space at the trailhead. The last 2 miles of the road is rough but passable for two-wheel-drive vehicles and truck/trailer units.
The Parsons Trail is 4 miles long but is passable for horses to the 3 mile point to the third crossing of Sycamore Creek. Creek crossings beyond that point are difficult for horses. The trail offers beautiful views of Sycamore Creek and Sycamore Canyon. It is an excellent trail any time of the year but fall; winter and spring are the best. |
| General Crook Trail and Trailheads |
|
This description is for the portions of the General Crook Trail on the Red Rock District. For the lower parts of the trail, take Hwy 260 east of Camp Verde 5 miles to the Clear Creek Campground. Go past the campground to the trailhead located one mile in on the road (FR 626). Park at the day use area with the toilet where there is adequate room to turn around. Follow the trail .5 miles east to where the trail markers to the right meet the road. Here you will find the creek crossing. The trail goes up the south side of West Clear Creek then continues to follow the rock/wire cairns to the trail which parallels General Crook Hwy 260. |
| Sawlog Tank Access to the General Crook Trail |
|
Take Hwy 260 about 16 miles east of Camp Verde. Turn left on the first road just before you top-out on the rim. Go .25 miles north to the junction with the first road where there is room to park and turn around at the road junction with FR 142H. This location offers good access to some of the most intact portions of the General Crook Trail by going either east or west.
Going west toward Camp Verde offers opportunities to take the historic "Wagon Route" of the General Crook Trail towards Thirteen Mile Rock. Then take the "Mule Route" (the steeper route) back. This would allow an 8 mile round-trip. You can also use this as a base to go east over the Tanque Aloma Pass and down to Apron Tank. The route west is dry but the route east offers water at Road, Apron and Kewitt Tanks. |
| Mail Trail Trailhead |
|
This new trailhead accesses the portion of historic Mail Trail from Hwy 260 south to Fossil Creek. On Mud Tanks Mesa go 1 mile past Divide Tank to FR 9247B that takes off on the south side of the highway and provides access to the Mud Tanks area over a variety of back country roads that receive very little use. This provides good rides to the Mail Trail Tank, Mud Tanks Draw and Natural Pasture and the rim of Fossil Creek. Get a copy of the Strawberry Quadrangle 1:24,000 topographic map for more information about all of the back country roads to ride and the location of tanks in this area. There is usually water available in the tanks. |
| Apron Tank / Mud Tanks Draw Access |
|
Take Hwy 260 from Camp Verde to Mud Tanks Mesa approximately 19 miles to this access point located on the east end of FR 142H at Mud Tanks Draw. Take a left and drive down the hill through the cattle guard and park near the General Crook Trail (it is marked with rock/wire cairns). This offers good access both east and west but can get muddy during we weather. Adequate turn around space can be found during dry conditions. |
| Salmon Butte |
|
Take Hwy 260 approximately 22 miles from Camp Verde to Salmon Butte and the large powerlines. On the north side of the Highway is FR 677 where you can pull off the highway and park to access the General Crook Trail. The south side of the highway has good access to the powerline and several back country roads with very little traffic—excellent for horseback riding and access to the rim of Sandrock Canyon, Natural Pasture and Mud Tanks Draw. |
| Dead Horse Ranch Trails and Trailhead |
|
These trails are accessible from Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood. Admission to the Park is $5 per day. Camping is also available at the Park. Begin at the equestrian trailhead, which is the first road to the left after you enter the State Park. For a clockwise loop ride, you can take the Raptor Hill Trail (2.85 miles), which starts on State land and continues onto National Forest. Continue the loop by taking the Thumper Trail (2.25 miles) to the Lime Kiln Trail (2.1 miles) back through the park to the equestrian trailhead. There are several one-way spurs off of the Raptor/Thumper/Lime Kiln loop. At the junction of the Raptor/Thumper trails, you can turn left and follow the signs to the Bones Trail (2.5 miles). This trail takes you down to Tavasci Marsh. Another one-way trail is the Bill Ensign Trail (1.4 miles). It is accessed from the Lime Kiln Trail and dead-ends at a scenic overlook that offers views of the Verde River and the town of Cottonwood. Many of these trails connect with numerous old uranium and natural gas exploration roads from the 1960’s offering miles of loop rides from the State Park onto the Coconino National Forest. For more information, get the Clarkdale and Page Springs topographical maps. Or call Dead Horse Ranch State Park at 928-634-5283. |
| Red Tank Draw |
|
This is not a developed trailhead but it provides excellent access to the White Mesa Trail, the Blue Grade Road, Purgatory Tank, Split Tank and the 645A road. These backcountry roads and trails offer exceptional views and access to country typically only used during hunting season. You can even access the Bell Trail and Beaver Creek via the White Mesa Trail from the top of White Mesa. To reach the trailhead go to the junction of I-17 and Hwy 179 and go east on Forest Road 618. At the junction of FR 618 and the Montezuma Well Road (1/2 mile from I-17 go north or left on FR 645A slightly over 1 mile) and go right (east) at the second right then travel another .75 miles to the old red rock pit. There is one gully crossing before the pit which could cause low slung vehicles a problem. If that’s a problem park at the junction. Park there and ride up the road to the north from the pit where you will find a crossing of Red Tank Draw and a jeep road that climbs to the east up White Mesa. From the top of White Mesa you can access White Mesa Tank and make the Ruin Tank, Purgatory Tank and Rays Tank loop and come back down the same way you came up. You will find this lightly used area an excellent equestrian opportunity. |
| Apache Maid and the Stoneman Lake Area |
|
The Apache Maid Area offers excellent riding opportunities in the Ponderosa Pine/Pinyon-Juniper Transition vegetation type. From I-17 take the Stoneman Lake Road (FR 213) to the Apache Maid Road (FR 229) then go 3 miles to FR 620 and take a right then go .5 miles to T-Bar Tank where you can park your rig. If you want to venture farther go another mile to the top of the pass before the road climbs steeply to Apache Maid Lookout. Don’t go up there with a large vehicle/trailer. This area offers numerous great opportunities for riding. You can go back down the road to Apache Maid Cabin and take FR 214 to connect with the north end of the Cedar Flat Road. Or, you can take FR 620 to the west just below Apache Maid Mountain which will take you towards Waldroup Place and Hog Hill on FR 9238M. You can even ride to the head of the Apache Maid Trail from this location. |
Beaverhead Flat Trail / House Mountain Area |
|
This new trailhead, constructed by Yavapai County, is located on the west side of FR 120 (Beaverhead Flat Road), several hundred feet north of the Cornville Road. This trailhead accommodates approximately 8-10 trucks with large horse trailers. This trailhead provides access, through an opening in the parking lot fence to the new Beaverhead Flat Trail. This trail parallels the paved Beaverhead Flat Road from the trailhead to FR 9500N which goes to Fuller tank. From Fuller tank, the Kel Fox Trail takes you down to Arabian Way in the Village of Oak Creek. From various points along the Beaverhead Flat Trail, one has access to several roads accessing House Mountain and its foothills. To gain access to the very top of House Mountain take Forest Road 9952 four miles to House Mountain Tank and then travel one mile further to Ed Loy Tank and beyond. This area is lightly used and the jeep roads make good horse trails. |
| Stoneman Lake Area |
|
There is limited big rig parking in this area but one good bet is to try the road to the north of Stoneman Lake FR 665. From I-17 take the Stoneman Lake Road (FR 213) 8 miles to the road that leads to Stoneman Lake (FR 213A) go .5 miles and park on the left just past the cattle guard. There is adequate room to turn around at that location. There are great rides available from this location. Go down FR 665 just over 1 mile and take the road thru the gate to the east and make the loop to Elk and Trap Tank on the edge of Rattlesnake Canyon or ride one of the many roads to the east towards Bill Back Spring and to FR 765 towards Fain Mountain. Camping is allowed in the area. For more information get Forest Service Maps at the Red Rock Ranger District or the Happy Jack Visitor Center. |
| Lime Kiln Trail |
|
See Dead Horse Ranch above |
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