Bradshaw Ranger District

The Bradshaw Mountains, located south of Prescott, have long been known for being one of the most mineralized mountain ranges in the world. As early as the mid-1800's, mining first brought settlers to this part of Arizona. The Bradshaw Ranger District encompasses the Bradshaw Range and extends beyond it, surrounding the City of Prescott.
The Bradshaws offer cool relief from the desert below, with numerous developed and dispersed recreation opportunities available. Mount Union is the highest elevation on the forest at nearly 8,000 feet. From 7,000 to 8,000-foot elevation along the Bradshaw Range, the vegetation changes from pure forests of ponderosa pine to mixed conifer forests of Douglas-fir and white fir. The weather throughout the Bradshaw District is moderate, with daytime temperatures averaging 50 degrees in the winter and 70 degrees in summer. Recreation opportunities abound throughout all seasons.

Granite Mountain Wilderness, the forest's only "urban" wilderness, is located just a few short miles from Prescott. Other scenic attractions include Thumb Butte, Lynx Lake, Groom Creek and the Prescott Circle Trail, and scenic drives to Palace Station and Crown King. For more information, map and permit sales, free motor vehicle use maps and recreation opportunity guides, please contact the Bradshaw Ranger District.

General Information

For map and permit sales, free motor vehicle use maps, recreation opportunity guides, wood cutting permits, and information, please contact the Bradshaw Ranger District.

Complexes

This wilderness of 25,517 acres sits on the eastern slopes of the Bradshaw Mountains and is characterized by extremely rugged topography with prominent granite peaks that overlook the Agua Fria River.

Elevations range from 2,800 and 7,000 feet. The primary vegetation at the lower elevations is saguaro cactus, palo verde, and mesquite. As the elevation increases, grassland species change into the chaparral community and the highest elevations have ponderosa pine, Arizona whiteoak, and alligator juniper.

Castle Creek Wilderness on Wilderness.net

Trails in Castle Creek Wilderness include:

Algonquin Trail #225
Castle Creek Trail #239
East Fort Trail #31
Horsethief Canyon Trail #30
Horsethief Recreation Trail #201
Jim Creek Trail #235
Twin Peaks Trail #240
Willow Creek Trail #236

Nestled among pines and boulders of Prescott's iconic Granite Mountain, Granite Basin Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities year-round including hiking, backpacking, horse riding, non-motorized boating, rock climbing, fishing, camping, and picnicking.

Trails in the Granite Basin Recreation Area include:

Balancing Rock Trail #349
Clark Spring Trail #40
Hokaygon Trail #341
Mint Wash Connector Trail #352
Surprise Spring Trail #350
West Lake Trail #351

Built with equestrians in mind, this trailhead is located in the Granite Basin Recreation Area and provides access to:

The Cayuse Loop includes West Lake Trail #351, Chimbley Water Trail #348, Willow Trail #347, and Willow Connector Trail #346, and begins at the Cayuse Equestrian Trailhead

This 22-site campground is located in the Granite Basin Recreation Area amidst granite boulders in mixed pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pines.

Vehicles in parking lot with mountain in background.

Located in the Granite Basin Recreation Area, this picnic area is close to Granite Basin Lake and numerous non-motorized trails.

Granite Basin Lake is a small (5 acre) lake. It is not stocked with fish, but patient anglers may catch bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish.

This lake-side picnic area is located in the Granite Basin Recreation Area.

Granite Basin Recreation Area Brochure

Provides access to trails in the Granite Mountain Wilderness, as well as trails in the Granite Basin Recreation Area.

Located about seven (long, bumpy) miles south of Crown King, Horsethief Basin Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and OHV riding. Castle Creek Wilderness is located nearby, and Horsethief Cabin and Turney Gulch Group Campground are available by reservation. Day use sites and trails are open year-round; overnight accommodations are not available during the winter.

Note: Until further notice, use of high-clearance vehicle is recommended for those who plan to visit recreation sites in Horsethief Basin.

Trails in the Horsethief Basin Recreation Area include:

Arrastra Creek Trail #275
Battle Flat Trail #389
Blind Indian Connection Trail #9211
Bradshaw Trail #216
Bullroad Trail #202
Collins Trail #282
Elouise Trail #306
Horse Mountain Trail #21
Horsethief Lookout Trail #203
Keegan Trail #91
Kentuck Springs Trailhead
Kentuck Trail #217
Minni Trail #9238
Old Bodie Mine Road Trail #319
Pine Creek Trail #289
Pine Flat Connector Trail #9275
Tip Top Trail #234
Towers Mountain Trail #131
Tuscumbia Trail #215
Wagoner Trail #213

X marking location of Kentuck Springs Trailhead on Horsethief Basin Recreation Area map.

Until further notice, use of a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for those who plan to visit recreation sites in Horsethief Basin.

Small brown cabin and picnic table surrounded by tall pines.

Horsethief Cabin is nestled in the Bradshaw Mountains' near Horsethief Basin Lake and

Small lake surrounded by large pine trees.

***Use of a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for those who plan to visit recreation sites in Horsethief Basin.

An easily identifiable landmark located on the outskirts of Prescott, this 9,799 acre wilderness is characterized by rugged granite boulders, some the size of a house, stacked one atop the other to elevations that exceed 7,600 feet. The Metate Trailhead in Granite Basin is the primary portal to the wilderness which has two maintained trails. Hiking groups are limited to 15 people; equestrian groups to 10 animals. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Granite Mountain Wilderness is the most popular of all the wildernesses due to its proximity to Prescott (only 20 minutes by paved road) and the unique experience it offers for hiking among huge granite boulders, rock formations, and the outstanding view of the surrounding area.

Campfires are prohibited, however, stoves fueled by propane or white gas are permitted. There is no camping within 200 feet of Granite Mountain Trail #261. For rock climbing, maintenance of existing fixed anchors is permitted, but no new anchors are allowed.

Granite Mountain Wilderness on Wilderness.net

Trails within this wilderness include:

Granite Mountain Trail #261
Tin Trough springs Trail #308
Baby Granite Loop

Located in the cool pines of central Arizona, Groom Creek offers a variety of recreational opportunities including: camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, bouldering, and horseback riding. Groom Creek area day use sites and trails are open year-round; campgrounds are open from May 1 to October 31 and closed during the winter.

Area trails include:

Blind Indian Trail #211
Dandrea Trail #285
Dolphin Trail #85
E Cross L Trail #281
Golden Eagle Trail #280
Goldwater Lakes Trail #396
Groom Creek Equestrian Trail #307 Trailhead
Groom Creek Loop Trail #307
Horsecamp Loop Trail #383
Isabella Trail #377
Kendall Camp Trail #65
Ponderosa Trail #382
Venezia Trail #381
Watershed Trail #299
Wolf Creek Loop Trail #384
Yankee Doodle Trail #284

Picnic tables shaded by tall pine trees.

Note: This site is located behind a gate which is locked when the fire tower is not staffed.

Vehicles in large parking lot surrounded by tall pine trees.

Ample parking with turn-around for horse trailers.

Provides access to:

Built in 1902, this historic schoolhouse and adjacent picnic area may be reserved in advance for groups of up to 50 people. Visitors without reservations may utilize o

Equestrian campers will find Groom Creek Horse Camp seven miles south of Prescott, Arizona at an elevation of 6,400 feet.

Flagpole inside log fenced area in front of small building.

This boulder-strewn group reservation site is located in a ponderosa pine forest and away from other developed recreation sites.

Picnic table, grill and tent pad with rock work done in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps..

Located on the banks of Wolf Creek, Arizona walnut and live-oaks are interspersed among the ponderosa pines in this boulder-strewn campground that was constructed by the Ci

This 54-mile, non-motorized trail is a success story of citizen participation, inter-agency cooperation, and patient determination. Twenty-five years in the making, Prescott Circle Trail offers hikers, backpackers, horse riders, and mountain bicyclists a route that crosses Prescott National Forest, City of Prescott, Yavapai County, and State lands. The trail skirts Watson, Willow, and Goldwater Lakes, cuts through Granite Dells, and offers close-up views of Granite Mountain and Thumb Butte.

Prescott Circle Trail Video

AllTrails Prescott Circle Trail Segments

For more information:

City of Prescott

Yavapai Trails Association

Completed in 2018 as part of the Greater Prescott Trails Plan, this 30-mile non-motorized system winds through the spectacular central Arizona highlands. Exposed slopes of chaparral and pinyon-juniper woodland are interspersed with shady groves of ponderosa pine offering loopy, hilly trails for all skill levels.

These trails are open to hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bicyclists. Please be considerate of other users; slow down and know when to yield the trail. Refrain from using horses and bikes when trails are wet.

Camping – The nearest developed camping opportunities are Yavapai Campground (seasonal) and Alto Pit OHV Campground.

Spence Springs Trailhead:

Directions:

From downtown Prescott, take Montezuma Street north (becomes Whipple St) to its intersection with Willow Creek Road (about 1.5 miles). Continue west on Iron Springs Road for another 3 miles, then turn left onto Spence Springs Road. Spence Springs Trailhead is immediately on the left.

Parking: Approximately 15 passenger vehicles. Trailers are not allowed for highway safety concerns.

Travel Time: 15 minutes from downtown Prescott

Road Conditions: Roads are paved, then a graded dirt trailhead.

Trails include:

BLM Trail #729
Juniper Gate Trail #701
Lloyd's Drop Trail #711
Noodle Trail #760
Sidekick Trail #721
Tunnel Vision Trail #714
Vista Trail #706
Wally's Rest #710
Waterline Trail #733
Willow Creek Trail #704
Willy Nilly Tractor Trail #707

Iron Springs Trailhead

Directions:

From downtown Prescott, take Montezuma Street north (becomes Whipple St) to its intersection with Willow Creek Road (about 1.5 miles). Continue west on Iron Springs Road for another 4.5 miles, then turn left into the trailhead. There is parking for approximately 30 vehicles. Trailers are not allowed at the trailhead for highway safety concerns.

Travel Time: 20 minutes from downtown Prescott

Parking: Approximately 30 passenger vehicles. Trailers are not allowed at these trailheads for highway safety concerns.

Trails include:

Clown Town Trail #708
Little Italy Trail #703
Missing Link Trail #724
Rocky Top Trail #727
Russ T. Fender Trail #728
Santa Fe Trail #709
Skyline Trail #712
Spence Creek Trail #719
Tatanka Trail #735
The Village Trail #736
West Side Story Trail #725
Zygomatic Trail #761

***Note: Temporary Trail Closures During APS Powerline Rebuild in Spence Basin; Intermittent closures to occur through June 2024; News release dated 2/21/24: &nbsp

A prominent landmark just outside of the City of Prescott, Thumb Butte provides a quick escape from the summer heat. Its non-motorized trails system is prized by hikers, bikers, and equestrians for their scenic views and varying levels of challenge. Some regularly hike or jog to the top of Thumb Butte for a vigorous workout!

Numerous ramadas provide shelter for picnickers, and there is a group site available by reservation for groups of up to 100 people.

View photos on Flickr:

Area trails include:

Butte Connection Trail #323
Butte Creek Trail #321
Circle Connection Trail #322
Garden Grove Trail #392
Miller Creek Trail #367
North Thumb Butte Trails #315, #316, #317 & #318
Rancho Vista Trail #387
Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326
Thumb Butte Trail #33

Picnic tables on concrete under a metal ramada.

Overview

The most distinguishing landmark in Prescott, AZ, Thumb Butte is famous for its towering ponderosa pines, picnic facilities, and access to world-class hiking trails--all&nb

Located in the cool pines just outside of Prescott, AZ, Lynx Lake Recreation Area offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, boating, and picnicking.

Trails in the area include:

Boy Scout Trail #126
Highlands Trail #442
Homestead Trail #305
Johns Tank Trail #94
Lynx Creek Ruin Trailhead
Lynx Recreation Trail #311
Lynx Ruins Trail #301
Ranch (62) Trailhead
Ranch Trail #62
Salida Connection Trail #9263
Salida Gulch Trail #95
Salida Trail #93
Seven Mile Gulch Trail #9854
Smith Ravine Trail #297

Located in the Lynx Lake Recreation Area. Lynx Lake is one of the most popular recreation spots in central Arizona on the Bradshaw Ranger District.

Two people on a paved area looking at an interpretive sign with a lake in the background.

At 55-acres, Lynx Lake is the largest--and busiest--lake on the Prescott National Forest. Lynx Lake North Shore Day-use Area provides lake-side recreation,

People at picnic tables in the shade with lake in background.

This site provides restaurant dining, fishing/camping supplies, bait, boat rentals and firewood.

Picnic tables and parking for short, easy hike to Lynx Creek Ruin via Lynx Ruins Trail #301.

Lynx Lake Recreation Area Brochure

Vehicle in parking lot near picnic ramadas in front of a lake. Trees are turning gold during autumn.

A popular lake-side picnic and fishing area, South Shore has ample parking for cars and vehicles towing trailers or boats on all but the busiest days of the year when it fi

This day use area is primarily used for recreational gold panning.

The Highlands Center for Natural History is a non-profit nature-based education organization that operates under a Special Use Permit from the Prescott National Forest.