Hiking

With 450-miles of non-motorized trails, and over 100,000 acres between its eight wilderness areas, Prescott National Forest is famous for its hiking trails! From tackling a quick exercise loop to undertaking an extensive backpacking trip or enjoying a leisurely stroll, hikers can find a wide variety of opportunities all over the forest. Some of the busier trails depart from developed recreation sites near urban areas, while reaching less-used trails may require a a 4WD vehicle. Additionally, there are trails that start at each campground on the forest for those who want to camp and hike but not have to shlep all that gear along!

Report Trail Conditions: Help us manage trails for your safety and enjoyment by reporting your experience to the Prescott Trails Safety Coalition.

Backpacking

The Prescott Circle Trail offers a backpacking experience with proximity to campgrounds and city amenities.

Visit the wilderness area web pages to find the other best backpacking opportunities on the Prescott National Forest.

Know before you go: Leave No Trace has practical advice for how to make the most of your wilderness experience while protecting the environment.

Learn more about designated Wilderness by visiting the Wilderness Society's web site.

General Hiking

Central Arizona's mild climate, stunning scenery, and world-class trails beckon residents and visitors alike to enjoy the great outdoors year-round. With motorized, non-motorized, and wilderness trails, Prescott National Forest provides outstanding opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, horse riders, and OHV enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Special events, such as mountain bike races and OHV events, occur on the Forest's trails. Public input and volunteer participation help shape the world-class trails system on Prescott National Forest today.

Some of the trails you'll visit on the forest are multiple-use, meaning that hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and ATV riders may all share the same trail. A basic etiquette rule is Wheels Yield to Heels. Keep this in mind when approaching other trail users. Bicyclists or ATVers yield to all other users while hikers, walkers, yield to horseback riders.

Trail Etiquette & Safety

Safety on the Trail

It is every trail user's responsibility and right to ensure their own safety and expect safe practice from other trail users. Exercise caution at all times, follow guidelines and rules of the trails. Preventing accidents or injuries is the first step, acting responsibly if something does happen is the second. Always think clearly!

During hunting season:

Hikers should wear at least one article of hunter orange viewable from all directions such as a hat, jacket, or vest. Cover your backpack with orange.
Horseback riders should wear a hunter orange vest and helmet cover. Use a hunter orange vest or rump sheet on your horse.
Dogs should wear hunter orange or other visible color, like a vest, leash, coat, shirt or bandana.
Avoid wearing white or tan during deer season. A glimpse of white clothing by a hunter in the forest could be easily mistaken for the tail of a deer.

What is Trail Etiquette?

Trail etiquette can be described as the polite way to use trails. It outlines guidelines for the many users that ride, walk, hike, or bike trails.

If you have never considered trail etiquette to be one of the more important aspects of trail use, you may want to reconsider. Trail etiquette should be a major part of any trail users experience.

Trail use is a privilege that cannot be abused or disrespected, so making trail etiquette a priority allows everyone to enjoy the outdoors and have a good time while being safe and courteous. Also remember everyone is out there for the same reasons, to enjoy nature and to enjoy what they are doing.

When travelling multi-use trails, you may encounter many different forms of trail use, such as hikers, bikers, ATVers, horseback riders, etc. Therefore, the user must adjust to different regulations (who passes first, who slows down, who gets the right of way).

If trail users conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, respect the environment and the other users, the trail experience will only get better. Keep safety and etiquette in mind when you are participating in trail use, this way trails will stay in good condition and the privilege will remain accessible for everyone.

Basic Trail Etiquette

Be aware of other trail users.
Stay to the right of the trail (except when passing).
Slow down at corners.
Always clean up after yourselves.
Obey all the trail rules.
Give a clear warning signal when passing. Call out 'passing on your left.'
Always look ahead and behind when passing.
Travel at reasonable speed.
Keep pets on a leash.
Move off the trail when letting others pass.
Yield to other trail-users when entering and crossing trail.
Do not disturb wildlife.
Stay on the trail (respect the environment, do not venture off the trails).
Do not litter.
Do not drink or contaminate water sources (wash 100 feet away from any nearby water source).
Use provided toilet facilities (if you are unable to find a facility, dig a hole 6 inches deep at least 200 feet from any open water).
Do not make fires (use picnic areas and grills if provided).
Respect wildlife. Your surroundings are home to many plants and animals: you are the visitor.
Obey all posted signs. These indicate special restrictions that apply to the trail you are on.

Hiking with Animals

Clean up after your animals.
Keep them on a leash or lead.
Give larger animals right of way.
Do not let your animal disturb wildlife or others.
Keep them on the trails.

General Trail Etiquette for Hikers, Walkers & Backpackers

Move off the trail whenever possible for other trail users.
When meeting someone riding a horse, step off the trail and speak calmly.

Day Hikes

While some people head to remote parts of the Forest for especially scenic or peaceful day hikes, and others head straight for the more challenging hikes to get in a workout, many prefer the easy/accessible trails closer to area communities to take a stroll.

Easy/Accessible Trails

Most developed recreation sites on the Forest are fully or partially paved and accessible to people who use wheelchairs.

Accessible trails include:

The western portion of Lynx Lake Recreation Trail #311 is paved between the North Shore and South Shore picnic areas
The Groom Creek Nature Trail is paved and has features designed for blind and visually impaired people
The trail to the Verde River at White Bridge Picnic Area is not paved all the way to the river, but is paved to where the river can be seen and enjoyed
Black Canyon River Access Point is paved to the edge of the Verde River
There are paved trails at the Highlands Center for Natural History

Easy trails: A complete list of "easy" trails would be difficult to compile. The beginning of even some challenging trails is easy for a stretch. If you're looking for a trail to hike with small children or people with limited mobility, it is a good idea to visit the trail's webpage and see if the description gives clues to its difficulty level. Our most popular trails include this information. If you have questions about more remote trails, that may have limited information on the website, please contact us. Easy trails that are not listed with the accessible trails above, include: