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Lime Kiln Trail No. 82
The Lime Kiln was constructed during the mid 1880’s to burn limestone and create lime for the mortar used in the construction of the Willard House and the Strahan house. The kiln is believed to have been built by Charles and G.M. “Mack” Willard, “the Willard Boys” who built the house in Cottonwood for their widowed mother, Mary. Charles Willard is recognized as the “Father of Cottonwood”. The Kiln was excavated out of a limestone ledge in the White Hills above Cottonwood. The front was closed with rock and mud mortar, and the top is open. Today, the kiln is about 6ft. high but it originally stood as high as 20 feet and had a solid cap.
The Lime Kiln Road was constructed at the same time as the kiln to bring lime from the kiln to the Willard and Strahan house construction sites. Eventually the road continued beyond the Lime Kiln to connect into the Oak Creek Road, and became known as the Lime Kiln Cut-Off. This route became a favorite route for early settlers of the upper Verde Valley because it was considerably shorter than the main road. The road was constructed for horse and wagon use and was abandoned by the time automobile use became popular (Willard 1979).
The Lime Kiln Trail is 15 miles long. Nine miles are non-motorized and six miles are motorized.
Access points include Dead Horse Ranch State Park, The Bill Grey Road, Hwy 89A, The Deer Pass Road (FR 89B), Lower Red Rock Loop Road and Red Rock State Park.
In 2005 the trail was listed as a Centennial Trail by the USDA Forest Service, in celebration of the 100th birthday of the US Forest Service.
At a Glance
| Usage: | Light |
|---|---|
| Closest Towns: | Sedona and Cottonwood, AZ |
| Operated By: | Red Rock Ranger District 928-203-2900 |
General Information
General Notes:Rating: Strenuous
Uses: Hiking, horseback riding, cycling (on part of it).
For more information contact:
- Red Rock Ranger District, P.O. Box 20429, Sedona AZ 86341, (928) 282-4119 or
- Dead Horse Ranch Trails Coalition, 2011-B Kestrel Road, Cottonwood, AZ 86326, (928) 639-0312
Leave No Trace: Recognize your role in preserving wild lands by practicing these Leave No Trace principles:
- Plan ahead and prepare.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Leave what you find.
- Minimize campfire impacts.
- Respect wildlife.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
Directions:
Location: Verde Valley, Arizona. The trail runs from Dead Horse State Park (Cottonwood, Arizona) to Red Rock State Park (Sedona, Arizona).
The Lime Kiln Trail is 15 miles long. Nine miles are non-motorized and six miles are motorized. Access points include Dead Horse Ranch State Park, The Bill Grey Road, Hwy 89A, The Deer Pass Road (FR 89B), Lower Red Rock Loop Road and Red Rock State Park.
Activities
Day Hiking
Horse Riding
Deer Pass Trailhead on FR 89B: This trailhead provides access to both eastbound and westbound Lime Kiln Trail.
In the eastbound direction, the Lime Kiln Trail intersects the old Kachina trail system, a system once part of a horseback riding operation. The system is no longer maintained. Kachina uses single track trails as well as old jeep roads to make several loops through the area.
Camping is not permitted at this trailhead.
Location
