Beale Wagon Road Historic Trail #61
This historic trail has as much to offer the modern traveler as it did the ranchers and immigrants of the 1860s and 70s when it was a 1,240-mile route stretching from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, to the Colorado River. Broad vistas stretch out across a backdrop of high mountain peaks. Significant portions of the landscape through which the road winds remain in nearly the same condition as when they were first encountered by Edward Fitzgerald Beale in 1857 when he was chosen to chart the road's course.
A variety of access points provide for hikes of varying lengths. The trail segments crossing the Kaibab National Forest traverse a total of 23 miles and are open for hiking and horseback riding. Travel by motorized vehicle is prohibited on sections of the Beale Road located off of Forest Service roads. If you prefer to travel by vehicle or mountain bike, you can follow along in the areas where the historic Beale Wagon Road exists as a current Forest Service road.
Laws Spring, with its historic and prehistoric rock carving and original road segment, is a popular access point for the trail. Another access point is at the junction of FR 100 and FR 107 about 7 miles north of Parks. Other access points are marked on the ground.
Remember, if you encounter artifacts such as pottery sherds, debris from stone tools, projectile points (dart points or arrowheads), historic cans or bottles, please leave them in place for others to enjoy. Also, please do not touch the petroglyphs at Laws Spring. Oils from your fingers can damage them. It is against the law to remove, deface, or damage archaeological materials on federal lands.
Please help us protect the Beale Wagon Road's colorful history
so that other's may enjoy!
Beale Wagon Road Historic Trail Brochure and Map
Arizona Highways interview with Neil Weintraub, KNF South Zone Archaeologist (You Tube)
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
Trail Type
General Information
NOTE! Please respect private property boundaries and request permission before crossing or entering these lands.
None.
None. Bring everything that you need.
Getting There
Directions
Access: There are a variety of access points to the Beale Wagon Road Historic Trail segments on the Kaibab National Forest. Two major access points are as follows:
Laws Spring beginning at I-40 exit 171/Cool Pines Road heading north (approximately 13.3 miles):
- Turn left onto Forest Road 74/N Buggy Wheel Ranch Rd (coming off Cool Pines Rd) and follow for approximately 7.8 miles,
- Turn right onto Forest Road 141/E Spring Valley Rd and follow for approximately 0.6 miles,
- Turn left onto Forest Road 730 and follow for approximately 2.3 miles,
- Turn left onto Forest Road 115 and follow for approximately 2 miles,
- Turn left onto Forest Road 2030 and follow for approximately 0.6 miles to the Laws Spring parking area.
From Parks beginning at I-40 exit 178/North Parks Road heading north (7.2 miles):
- Turn right onto E Old Route 66 and follow for approximately 1 mile,
- Turn left onto Forest Road 107/N Government Prairie Rd and follow for 6.2 miles to trail access at the intersection with Forest Road 100.
