Casa Blanca Canyons #161

This 20.8-mile trail, Passage 4 of the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZNST), begins 4 miles north of Patagonia at the Casa Blanca Canyon Trailhead. A kiosk at the trailhead has a map and information about the natural and cultural history of the area. The first 1.1 miles of trail pass through the Borderlands Wildlife Preserve. Dogs must be leashed in the Preserve.

After passing through an AZNST gate at the Preserve boundary, continue on smooth, flowing singletrack trail as it contours the rolling hills beneath Mount Wrightson for the next 7 miles, gradually gaining 1,000 feet of elevation. Along the way, vista points with panoramic views offer good turnaround places for shorter outings or rest stops for longer journeys.

At mile 7, the 4.7-mile Little Casa #169 connects to Temporal Canyon Rd. to the south, and this trail continues north for 13.7 miles, dipping in and out of canyons and gaining more elevation on the way to the Apache Springs Trailhead at Gardner Canyon Rd.

Between 2020 and 2023, the Arizona Trail Association, with the help of many donors, trail crews, and volunteers, built 31 miles of scenic, sustainable singletrack here, including Casa Blanca Canyons #161, as part of an ongoing effort to eliminate roads from the AZNST. Passage 4 now avoids roads and provides a route for mountain bikers outside of the Mount Wrightson Wilderness. Eight miles of new singletrack trail east of AZ 82 offer even more options for exploring the area.

For up-to-date information on the Casa Blanca Canyons #161 please visit Arizona Trail Association Passage 4 webpage. 

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. Nontechnical trail with significant elevation gain between south and north trailheads requiring good fitness.

Download the Casa Blanca Canyons Recreation Guide.

At a Glance