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West Clear Creek
The deep, rocky canyon cut by West Clear Creek, as it slices its way free of the Mogollon rim, is home to West Clear Creek Wilderness, one of the most unique Wilderness Areas in the Southwest. This gorge is so narrow that in places the stream fills it from wall to wall. To descend one has to swim or wade, not once but as many as 15 or 20 times. Lower reaches of the canyon are more accessible and provide excellent places for secluded recreation such as swimming, hiking, trout fishing, and wildlife watching. In addition to the many colorful birds in this area, it is home to some interesting larger creatures such as black bear, javelina, and mountain lion.
Campground Season: All year at Clear Creek Campground near Highway 260. Clear Creek Campground is open year-round.
Attractions: Fishing, camping, waterplay, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, photography
Facilities:
- Clear Creek Campground has drinking water, cooking grills, vault toilets, a group site, and the General Crook National Recreation Trail nearby.
- Bullpen Day Use Area has vault toilets and access to the nearby Blodgett Basin Trail and West Clear Creek Trail. There are no other amenities at the Bullpen area. There is no camping (dispersed or campground) at Bullpen.
At a Glance
| Closest Towns: | Camp Verde, AZ; Sedona, AZ |
|---|---|
| Operated By: | Red Rock Ranger District 928-203-2900 or Mogollon Rim Ranger District 928-477-2255 |
General Information
Directions:Location: 60 miles south of Flagstaff just off a paved State Highway 260. Elevation is 3,200 ft.
Access: Drive 50 miles south of Flagstaff on I-17, take any Camp Verde exit and head east through Camp Verde. Drive 6 miles on State Highway 260. Just past FR 618 is the Clear Creek Campground. Turn north to the campground.
Maps
- Forest Service Topo Map (FSTopo Geo-enable PDF):
Click map thumbnail for a larger view.
General Notes:
Notes:
Pets must be on a leash.
Do not disturb cultural/archeology sites. (Antiquity’s Act 1906)
No motorized equipment or vehicles allowed. (Wilderness Act 1964)
No motorized or mechanized transport (ie... bicycles, strollers, etc) allowed. (Wilderness Act 1964)
Steep sections of this trail can be a problem to a hiker loaded with a heavy backpack.
Flooding is frequent and emergency services are distant.
Activities
Dispersed Camping
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at West Clear Creek
