Horse Camping

Horse Camping Areas

• 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, in the Bradshaws, 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 and the Thumb Butte Loop, as well as drives to Palace Station and Crown King. For more information, please contact the Bradshaw Ranger District.

  Map sales, free motor vehicle use maps, recreation opportunity guides, wood cutting permits, and information.

• Castle Creek Wilderness

  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

  The USFS Wilderness Stewardship brochure explains more about designated Wilderness and how you can become involved in helping care for this precious resource. 

      Horsethief Basin Brocure (12.8 MB PDF)

• Keegan Trail #91
• Groom Creek Area

  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.  Scroll down (below the recreation map) to learn more about these recreational opportunities.

• Groom Creek Horse Camp
• Chino Valley Ranger District

  Nestled comfortably in the mountains of Central Arizona at an elevation ranging 3,000 to 8,000 feet, Chino Valley is located about 20 miles north of Prescott and 2 hours northwest of Phoenix. In 1863, Arizona's first Territorial Capital was established nearby at Del Rio Springs, and the surrounding area has experienced explosive growth since the town of Chino Valley was incorporated in 1970.

  
  Watershed, wildlife and range management, dispersed recreation, and fuel wooding are programs emphasized by the District. Chino Valley is also very involved in managing the Upper Verde River Area, habitat of some sensitive and endangered species. Ashes, willows, and cottonwood trees are common vegetation types found along the river banks.
  Although the Chino Valley Ranger District does not have developed recreation sites, there are many recreation opportunities on the District. One of the most popular recreation areas on the west side of the District is Camp Wood, located in the pines at an elevation of 5,700 feet. Approximately one mile north of Camp Wood is a riparian area, Emerald Glade, which is host to a variety of wildlife. This area was created by a masonry silt retention structure as part of our forest's wildlife habitat improvement program. The popular camping areas on the east side of the District are along the headwaters of the Verde River. The most popular trail is Sycamore Trail, located in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.

  
  In addition to Sycamore Canyon, three other wilderness areas are located within the district: Juniper Mesa Wilderness and Apache Creek Wilderness on the west side, Woodchute Wilderness on the east side. For more information, please contact the Chino Valley Ranger District.

  Map sales, free Motor Vehicle Use maps, permits, and information.

• Apache Creek Wilderness

  Rolling hills of juniper and pinyon interspersed with granite outcrops characterize this small, remote and relatively rugged wilderness. Established in 1984, the 5,628 acre wilderness features three natural springs and several important riparian areas including Apache Creek. Elevations range from 5,200 to 6,900 feet and the area provides excellent habitat for mountain lion and numerous bird species.

  There are 2 maintained trails within this wilderness:

  • Apache Creek Loop #9903
  • Apache Creek Trail #9905

   

  Apache Creek Wilderness on Wildreness.net

  Printable Trail Description and Map (595 KB PDF; 8.5” X 11”)

  The USFS Wilderness Stewardship brochure explains more about designated Wilderness and how you can become involved in helping care for this precious resource. 

• Apache Creek Trail #9905
• Juniper Mesa Wilderness

  Established in 1984, the 7,554 acre wilderness is characterized by the flat topped mesa from which its name is derived. Elevations range from 5,600 feet on the southwest side near Juniper Spring to 7,000 feet on the west side near George Wood Canyon and Gobblers Knob. The primary vegetation on the steep southern slopes in pinon pine and Utah juniper, and on the northern slopes, ponderosa pine and alligator juniper.

  A great variety of wildlife can be found in the area. Black bear, elk, mule deer, bobcat, and Abert's squirrel are relatively common. There are no perennial water sources present, and the reliability of springs may be questioned during long periods of dry weather.

  • There are 7 maintained trails within this wilderness: #3, #20, #100, #9853, #940
  • Juniper Mesa Wilderness on Wilderness.net

  The USFS Wilderness Stewardship brochure explains more about designated Wilderness and how you can become involved in helping care for this precious resource. 

• Verde Ranger District

  Located near the geographic center of Arizona, the Verde Ranger District is accessible to visitors from all over the state. Drop a fishing line into the Verde River at one of eight day-use access points or put your canoe in at White Bridge Recreation Area for a popular nine-mile float to Beasley Flat. Explore the site of an old salt mine near Camp Verde, re-create history by following part of General Crook’s military supply route, or book a stay at Sycamore Cabin, which once served as the ranger station for the old Bloody Basin Ranger District. ATV enthusiasts can enjoy off-road riding at Hayfield Draw.

  
  For relief from summer’s heat, follow the winding highway up to Mingus Mountain and camp in the pines at Potato Patch Campground or Mingus Recreation Area; groups of 20 to 100 can reserve Playground Group Campground. Many of the District’s hiking trails are located on Mingus, but it’s also a great place to relax and enjoy panoramic views of the Verde Valley. A bit lower on the mountain, near the cluster of homes known as Cherry, Powell Springs Campground stays open all year.

  
  To escape from the crowds, try a backpacking trip into Pine Mountain or Cedar Bench wildernesses, on the southeastern edge of the District. Bring your own water and be prepared for an abundance of wildlife such as bears, mountain lions, and javelina. For more information, please contact the Verde Ranger District.
   

  Information, permits, interpretive displays, LEED green building with solar panels and monitor, map sales, and free motor vehicle use maps for Prescott, Coconino, and Kaibab National Forests.

• Cedar Bench Wilderness

  Trails in the Cedar Bench Wilderness include:

  • Goat Springs Trail #542
  • Lower Cedar Bench Trail #540
  • Chasm Creek Trail #164

  The USFS Wilderness Stewardship brochure explains more about designated Wilderness and how you can become involved in helping care for this precious resource. 

• Pine Mountain Wilderness

  The southern-most wilderness area on the Prescott National Forest shares a boundary with the Tonto National Forest.  Recreational opportunities include: hiking, backpacking, and horse riding.  Mechanized equipment of any kind is not allowed in wilderness areas.  Trails in the Pine Mountain Wilderness include:

  • Nelson Trail #159
  • Buck Basin Trail #158
  • Pine Flat Trail #165
  • Tule Rim Trail #162
  • Verde Rim Trail #161
  • Willow Springs Trail #12

  The USFS Wilderness Stewardship brochure explains more about designated Wilderness and how you can become involved in helping care for this precious resource. 

• Sycamore Cabin
• Sycamore Canyon Wilderness

  Established in 1935, this area contains a unique canyon-land environment. The canyon cuts through the Mogollon Rim which marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. It winds for 20 miles along Sycamore Creek and at places stretches 7 miles from rim to rim. Wind and water have exposed 7 geological associations of plants and animals set in a spectacular setting of red sandstone, white limestone, and brown lava. Camping is limited by the often unreliable water sources.

  • There are 13 maintained trails within this wilderness: #52, #54, #61, #66, #68, #117, #9017
  • Sycamore Canyon Wilderness on Wilderness.net

  The USFS Wilderness Stewardship brochure explains more about designated Wilderness and how you can become involved in helping care for this precious resource. 

• Woodchute Wilderness

  This small wilderness offers relatively easy access and spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks and panoramic vistas of central Arizona. Created in 1984, the 5,923-acre wilderness ranges in elevation from 5,500 to 7,800 feet. Ponderosa Pine is the dominate overstory species located at the upper elevations which gradually changes to pinon pine and Utah juniper at the lower and relatively drier elevations.

  • There is 1 maintained trail within this wilderness: #102
  • Woodchute Wilderness on Wilderness.net

  Mingus Mountain Brochure (1.86 MB) NOTE- Brochure Correction: Mingus Mountain Campground and Picnic Site do not have electricity available at this time.

  The USFS Wilderness Stewardship brochure explains more about designated Wilderness and how you can become involved in helping care for this precious resource.