Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking Areas

• Flagstaff Ranger District

  The Flagstaff Ranger District encompasses 849,249 acres of National Forest lands around the Flagstaff area, from Mormon Lake and Anderson Mesa to north of the San Francisco Peaks. At 12,633 feet, the San Francisco Peaks is not only the dominant feature of the forest area we call the Volcanic Highlands, it's also the highest mountain in Arizona. Three of the summits that ring this dormant volcano's now quiet inner caldera are higher than any other mountain in the state.

  This mountain is sacred to the native peoples that live in the area and its soaring profile set against a blue Arizona sky serves as a source of awe to contemporary residents and visitors. Views from the summit of the San Francisco Peaks stretch to the Grand Canyon's North Rim over eighty miles away. Hiking, sightseeing, wildlife watching and skiing are the predominant recreation activities enjoyed in this land of mountains, forests and lava flows.

  Flagstaff Ranger District, extends from north of the Peaks to the south. This rolling highland is a land of ponderosa pine forests and pinyon/juniper woodlands clustered around broad prairies and small lakes. Arizona's largest natural lake, Mormon Lake, is located here. The area is also known for its plentiful wildlife. Large herds of elk roam the forests and edgelands. Bald eagles and ospreys live and hunt around the lakes. Pronghorn antelope graze the prairies.

  Principal recreation activities among the lakes and prairies are boating, fishing, camping, and wildlife watching. The area also boasts some excellent cross-country skiing in good snow years.

  Recreation Activities for the Flagstaff District:

  • Campgrounds
  • Trails
  • Wilderness Areas, Boating/Fishing Sites, Scenic Drives
  • Picnic Areas, Archaeology Sites, Cabin Rentals and Winter Activities

  More Information

  • Road Status
  • Forest Orders

   

• Arizona Trail Passage 34: San Francisco Peaks
• Aspen Nature Loop Trail No. 73
• Bismarck Lake Trail
• Brookbank Trail No. 2
• Campbell Mesa Trail System

  This popular trail system begins in large stands of old-growth ponderosa pine and Gambel oak. The various loops offer a wide variety of seasonal wildflowers, many examples of local birdlife, and frequent wildlife sightings. Visitors enjoy forested glades, broad interior meadows, and scenic views of Mt. Elden, Anderson Mesa and Mormon Mountain.

  The system includes five loops. The longest, 5.7-mile Campbell Mesa Loop swings around the northern and eastern perimeter of the mesa, while Anasazi Loop shortcuts the west end of Campbell Mesa Loop to make a 2.7-mile sub-loop. Continental Loop makes a short 1.8-mile tour to the northwest side of the mesa overlooking Walnut Canyon Lakes, Continental ball fields, and the course of the Rio de Flag. Sinagua Loop takes the shortest jaunt, just over a mile from the trailhead and back. Walnut Meadows Loop swings 4 miles around the southwest end of the mesa, affording panoramas of Anderson Mesa on the far side of Walnut Canyon and distant Mormon Mountain. From Walnut Meadows Loop, a half-mile connector crosses Old Walnut Canyon Road to the Arizona Trail and Fisher Point.

  All five loops of Campbell Mesa trail interconnect with each other and the Campbell Mesa trailhead. Campbell Mesa lies within a non-motorized use area that provides solitude for visitors and shelter for wildlife. Walkers, hikers, cyclists, skiers, and snowshoers enjoy the trails in all seasons.

• AZT
• AZT Connector
• Anasazi Loop
• Campbell Mesa Loop
• Continental Loop
• Sinagua Loop
• Deer Hill Trail No. 99
• Fort Valley Trail System

  Located at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, the Fort Valley Trail System was designed primarily for connecting popular mountain biking trails. This system is a multi-use trail to be used by bicycles, hikers, horses and motorcycles. Several sections of the trail were designed by a local biking organization to provide a more challenging ride for the more experienced mountain bike rider. The trail consists of loops that link with the Schultz Creek, Dry Lake Hill and Mt. Elden trail system.

  Fort Valley trail is in the Chimney Springs area, just north of Flagstaff. The area has a gradual sloping terrain that consists of several shallow canyons and sweeping views of the San Francisco Peaks. Ponderosa pine and Gambel oak trees are the primary type of vegetation with New Mexico locust and an occasional hedgehog cactus.

   

• AZT Fort Valley
• Chimney
• Damper
• Flue
• GT
• Moto
• Newham
• Poker
• Rocky Moto Moto Loop
• Secret
• Griffith Spring Trail No. 189
• Airport Connector
• Airport Loop
• Howard
• Howard Spur
• Interstate
• Jump
• Mary's Dinner
• Rock Rut
• Seminary
• Ward
• Willard
• Priest Draw Trail and Bouldering Area
• Abalone
• Afterglow
• Apollo
• Big Bang
• Broadside
• Christmas Tree
• Dipper
• Down Under
• Elden Lookout Trail No. 4
• Fatmans Loop Trail No. 25
• Full Sail
• Heart Trail No. 103
• Little Bear Trail No. 112
• Little Elden Trail No. 69
• Lunar Tide
• Oldham Trail No. 1
• Pipeline Trail No. 42
• Pluto
• Rocky Ridge Trail No. 153
• Sandy Seep Trail No. 129
• Schultz Creek Trail No. 152
• Spacewalk
• Sunset Trail No. 23
• Swell
• Upper Oldham
• Interstate
• Rocky Road
• Willard
• O'Leary Peak Trail
• Afterglow
• Apollo
• Big Bang
• Dipper
• Pluto
• Schultz Creek Trail No. 152
• Spacewalk
• AZT Fort Valley
• Broadside
• Little Elden Trail No. 69
• Schultz Creek Trail No. 152
• Secret
• Sunset Trail No. 23
• Waterline Trail
• Mogollon Rim Ranger District

  At 506,840 acres, the Mogollon Rim Ranger District is a rugged escarpment that forms the southern limit of the Colorado Plateau. It extends across the entire forest and provides excellent views within Plateau Country and Desert Canyon Country as well. Dropping as much as 2,000 feet in some areas, the Rim provides some of the most far-reaching scenery in Arizona. Views stretch from its rocky precipice to Four Peaks of the Mazatzals northeast of Phoenix.

  Needless to say, sightseeing is a favorite activity along the Rim, but this forest area also boasts a historic system of hiking and horseback trails, a couple of picturesque lakes for boating and fishing, and backcountry skiing for wilderness adventurers. The Mogollon Rim is home to Camp Colley, an outdoor adventure camp at Little Moqui, run by the City of Phoenix, Parks and Recreation.

  The photo above (see larger view) was taken by Mark Hickcox, Civil Engineer Tech on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District, from the Hutch Mountain Lookout Tower in the summer of 2011. It is looking south-east toward Long Lake.

   

  Recreation activities for the Mogollon Rim Ranger District:

  • Campgrounds
  • Trails
  • Wilderness Areas, Boating/Fishing Sites, Scenic Drives

  More information

  • Road Status
  • Forest Orders

   

• Arizona Trail Passage 27: Blue Ridge
• Arizona Trail Passage 28: Happy Jack
• Red Rock Ranger District

  The Red Rock Ranger District includes 487,519 acres of magnificent splendor. The colorful collection of buttes, pinnacles, mesas, and canyons surrounding Sedona is famous the world around for its red rock vistas. Over the years, this area has served as the setting of many western novels and movies and has been the subject of uncounted paintings, photographs, and other works of art. The remains of ancient wetlands, these crimson cliffs have been carved by the forces of the desert into one of nature's most magnificent masterpieces.

  No matter what you do in Red Rock Country, you're always sightseeing. Ways to get even closer to all this scenery includes: hiking, horseback riding, taking a scenic drive, sliding down a natural waterslide, picnicking, camping, taking lots of photos and fishing in Oak Creek. Some areas require a pass to park, so be sure to check out the information about our Red Rock Pass Program.

   

  

  Red Rock Recreation Guide [PDF]

  Get the scoop on the Red Rock Ranger District!

  • Recreation Guide [PDF]
  • Recreation Maps
  • Red Rock Pass Information and find out where to get a Red Rock Pass
  • Fee-Free Days
  • Road Status
  • Forest Orders

   

  

  Red Rock Country Area Map

  Recreation activities for the Red Rock Ranger District shown in tables:

  • Campgrounds
  • Trails (A-J)
  • Trails (K-Z)
  • Wilderness Areas, Boating/Fishing Sites, Scenic Drives
  • Picnic Areas, Archaeology Sites, Cabin Rentals and Additional Information

   

• Airport Loop Trails
• Baldwin Trail
• Big Park Trails
• Broken Arrow Trail No. 125
• Carroll Canyon Area Trails
• Casner Mountain Trail No. 8
• Cockscomb Trail System
• Cornville Trail System
• Deadmans Pass Trail
• Girdner Trail No. 162
• Jim Thompson Trail No. 124
• Little Horse Trail No. 61
• Llama Trail
• Bell Rock Pathway / Vista
• Munds Wagon Trail No. 78
• Mystic Trail
• North Urban Trail System - East
• North Urban Trail System - West
• Allens Bend Trail No. 111
• Red Rock Loop Trail
• Schuerman Mountain Trail No. 56
• Soldier Pass Trail No. 66
• Templeton Trail
• Turkey Creek Trail No. 92