We all love taking the horses out locally, but the best part of owning a horse is the opportunities for adventure. Luckily, the United States is full of horse-friendly outdoor recreation areas perfect for the occasional day trip or longer vacation. We are producing a series to bring you information about the horse-friendly parks, campgrounds, and trails across the United States.
Bear Wallow Wilderness
Alpine Ranger District
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
Phone: (520) 339-4384
Directions: From Alpine, take US 191 south for 30 miles to Forest Road 25.
Elevation: 9093 ft. 11,080 acres Ponderosa pine forest. The Bear Wallow
Creek flows year-around. Season: roads may not be open in winter
Users: hike, horse
Blue Crossing
Alpine Ranger District
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
Phone: (520) 339-4384
Directions: Located 22 miles southeast of Alpine on US 180, then on Forest
Route 281. Elevation 6200ft. Description: 4 camping sites. No horse facilities
Access to the Blue Range Primitive Area. Season: April – November
Users: hike, horse
Blue Range Primitive Area
Alpine Ranger District
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
Phone: 520-339-4384
Directions: South of Alpine on US 191 or Forest Route 201. 193,762-acre
Description: rugged mountains, steep canyons, and ridges. The Mogollon
Rim crosses the area from east to west. Season: May- October
Users: hike, horse
Escudilla National Recreation Trail
Alpine Ranger District
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
Phone: 520-339-4384
Direction: From the town of Alpine, drive north on US 191 to Forest Road
56, go right, travel 4 miles to Terry Flat, turn left past Tool Box Draw, from
here it is 1/2 mile to the trailhead. Three miles of well-marked trails
Description: aspen groves, forest and meadows in the White Mountains.
Season: May – October Users: hike, horse
Escudilla Wilderness
Alpine Ranger District
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
Phone: (520) 339-4384
Directions: From Alpine go northeast on US 191 and forest road 56 for 11 miles
Season: May – October Users: horse, hike
Hannagan
Alpine Ranger District
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
Phone: (520) 339-4384
Directions: Located 23 miles south of Alpine on US 191. Elevation. 9100 ft
Facilities: 8 camp sites, No horse facilities Access to Blue Range Primitive Area.
Season: May-October Users: hike, horse
KP Cienega
Alpine Ranger District
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
P.O. Box 469
Alpine, AZ 85920
Phone: (520) 339-4384
Directions: Located 29 miles southwest of Alpine on US 191 and forest road 155
Elevation: 9000 ft Facilities: 5 camping units, Corrals. Trailhead access to Blue
Range Primitive Area. Season: May-September Users: hike, horse
Lost Dutchman State Park
Apache Junction, AZ
Phone: (602) 982-4485
Mailing address:
Arizona State Parks
1300 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Directions: Travel east from Apache Junction on US Highway 88, turn north and go
5 miles to the State Park. Located at the base of the Superstition Mountains.
Season: year round Fees Users: hike, bike, horse
BS Ranch
Bob & Susan Walter
44099 Palo Verde
PO Box 784
Bouse, Az. 85325
Tel: 928-851-2247
Electric hookup, sewer, water, phone, internet, washing machine
2 round pens, 5 covered pipe corrals, large run out area, open desert and mountain riding–miles and miles of open road
Cedar Bench Wilderness
Verde Ranger District
Prescott National Forest
300 East Highway 260
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Phone: (520) 567-4121
Directions: From I-17 take exit 278, take forest road 372 east (off forest road 136).
Elevation: 4500-6700 feet. 16,005 acres Two trails Season: year round
Users: hike, horse
Fossil Springs Wilderness
Beaver Creek Ranger District
Coconino National Forest
P.O. Box 670
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Phone: (520) 567-4421
Directions: From I- 17 travel south to AZ 260 then to forest road 708.
Season: summer Users: hike, horse
Mingus Mountain Trailhead
Verde Ranger District
Prescott National Forest
300 E. Highway 260
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Phone: 520.567.4121
Directions: From Jerome go southwest for 6 miles on AZ 89A, 3 miles
southeast on Forest Route 104 Elevation: 7600 ft. Trailhead to the
Woodchute Wilderness. Season: May- October Fee
Users: hike, bike, horse
Pine Mountain Wilderness
Prescott National Forest
300 East Highway 260
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Phone: (520) 567-4121
Directions: From I-17 go east on County Road 171 and then onto forest
road 68. Acres: 20,100 Description: desert mountains, mesas and
canyons. 6 maintained trails. Season: year round Users: hike, horse
Potato Patch Trailhead
Verde Ranger District
Prescott National Forest
300 E. Highway 260
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Phone: 520.567.4121
Direction: From Jerome travel southwest for 7 miles on AZ 89A & .5 mile
on forest road 106. 7000` elevation. Trailhead accesses Woodchute
Wilderness. Season: May – October Fees Users: hike, horse
Mazatzal Wilderness
Cave Creek Ranger District
Tonto National Forest
P. O. Box 5068
Carefree, AZ 85377
Phone: (602) 488-3441
Directions: From Camp Verde, take AZ 260 to forest road 708 then to
forest road 502. Elevation: 2060 ft – 7903 ft Acres: 252,500
Discription: Sonoran desert and uplands, canyons, pinyon and juniper
The trail that follows the verde river is a favorite with equestrians.
The Mazatzal Divide Route, runs 29 miles through the center of the
wilderness. Not all trails are considered appropriate for horses.
Season: year round Users: hike, horse
Woodchute Wilderness
Verde Ranger District
Prescott National Forest
300 East Highway 260
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Phone: (520) 567-4121
Directions: From Cottonwood, go west 10 miles on AZ 60. Acres: 5,923
Elevation: 5,500 ft – 7,800 ft. Description: spectacular views of the San
Francisco Peaks One maintained trail. No horse facilities Season:
March – October Users: hike, horse
Campground Buena Tierra
1995 S. Cox Road
Casa Grande, AZ 85222
(520) 836-3500 Toll Free: (888) 520-8360 Fax: (520) 836-9723
Description: With over 100 campsites, some very large, Campground Buena
Tierra gives you privacy and room to relax. There is a large picnic area, a
volleyball court and huge fire pits that are ideal for groups or just one or
two persons. Alone or with friends, feel free to explore the many riding
trails which are perfect for biking, hiking and horseback riding (we have
horse corrals here for overnighters and seasonal campers alike).
Full Circle Ranch Bed and Breakfast Inn
40205 North 26th Street
Cave Creek, Arizona 85027
Ph:(623) 465-7570
Fax:(623) 465-7579
Apache Creek Wilderness
Prescott National Forest
735 North Highway 89
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
Phone: (520) 636-2302
Directions: From Prescott, take County Road 5 to County Road 8 to 95A,
which is an unpaved four wheel drive road. Elevations: 5200 to 6900 feet.
Description: Rolling hills, conifers, and riparian areas. There are no maintained
trails . No horse facilities Season: year round Users: hike, horse
Juniper Mesa Wilderness
Chino Valley Ranger District
Prescott National Forest
735 North Highway 89
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
Phone: (520) 636-2302
Directions: From I-40 take exit 109 south on Anvil Rock Road (forest road 125).
Elevation: 5,600 feet – 7,000 feet Description: Mesa and canyons. No water.
7 maintained trails. Season: year round No horse facilities Users: hike, horse
Chiricahua Wilderness
Douglas Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
3081 N. Leslie Canyon Road
Douglas, AZ 85607
Phone: (520) 364-3468
Directions: From Willcox, take AZ 186 south to Chiricahua National Monument,
and then go east on forest road 42. 10,290 acre. Season: year around
Users: hike, horse
Cochise Stronghold Trailhead
Douglas Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
3081 N. Leslie Canyon Rd.
Douglas, AZ 85607
Phone: (520) 364-3468
Directions: From Sunsites travel west on US 191 and 7 miles on forest road 84
Elevation: 5000 ft. Season: year round Fees Users: hike, horse
Pinery Canyon Trailhead
Douglas Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
3081 N. Leslie Canyon Rd.
Douglas, AZ 85607
Phone: (520) 364-3468
Directions: From Portal, travel west on forest road 42 for 18 miles.
Elevation 7000 ft. Season: year round Users: hike, bike, horse
Rustler Park Trailhead
Douglas Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
3081 N. Leslie Canyon Rd.
Douglas, AZ 85607
Phone: (520) 364-3468
Directions: From Portal, travel west on forest road 42D for 18 miles
Elevation: 8500 ft. Trailhead to the Chiricahua Wilderness.
Season: April-November Fees Users: hike, bike, horse
Stewart Trailhead
Douglas Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
3081 N. Leslie Canyon Rd.
Douglas, AZ 85607
Phone: (520) 364-3468
Directions: From Portal travel southwest for 2 miles on forest road 42.
Elevation: 5100 ft Season: year round Users: hike, horse
Sunny Flat Trailhead
Douglas Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
3081 N. Leslie Canyon Rd.
Douglas, AZ 85607
Phone: (520) 364-3468
Directions: From Portal go southwest on forest road 42 for 3 miles
Elevation: 5200 ft Season: year round Fees Users: hike, bike, horse
West Turkey Creek
Douglas Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
3081 N. Leslie Rd
Douglas, AZ 85607
Phone: (520) 364-3468
Directions: From Willcox, travel southeast on AZ 186 and 181, then on
forest road 42 for 23 miles Elevation: 5900 ft Season: year round
Users hike, bike, horse
And The Horse You Rode In On B & B
Deb Scott
P.O. Box 158
Dragoon, AZ 85609
phone: (520) 826-5410 fax: (520) 826-1078
Located on 600+ acres one hour east of Tucson in the foothills of the Dragoon Mts. 2400 West Dragoon
Rd. Dragoon, AZ (I-10 Exit 318, then 7.3 miles on Dragoon Rd) Four guest rooms, ten guest stalls and
a round pen. Ride out right from our corrals.
Strayhorse Campground and Trailhead
Clifton Ranger District
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
HC1, Box 733
Duncan, AZ 85534
Phone: (520)687-1301
Directions: Located 26 miles south of Alpine on US 191 Elevation: 8200 ft.
Facilities: 7 camping units with picnic tables, grills and corrals. Two major
trails: Highline National Recreation Trail and Raspberry Trail
Season: April – November Users: hike, horse
Rancho Milagro Bed and Breakfast
P.O. Box 981, 11 East Camino Del Corral
Sonoita, AZ 85637
Elgin, Arizona
520-455-0381
Innkeepers: Karen Leonard and Michael Johnson
Kachina Parks Wilderness
Peaks Ranger District
Coconino National Forest
5075 N. Hwy. 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone: (520) 526-0866
Directions: From Flagstaff take 180 north to forest road 516. Elevation: 7,400 ft -12,643 ft.
Humphreys Peak, the highest point in AZ. Season: May- October Users: hike, horse
Coconino National Forest
Supervisor`s Office
2323 E. Greenlaw Lane
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
(520) 527-3600 FAX 527-3620
Little Elden Springs Campground/Trailhead
Peaks Ranger District
Coconino National Forest
5075 N. Highway 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone: (520) 526-0866
Directions: From Flagstaff, travel northeast on US 89 and forest road 556 for 5 miles. Elevation 7200 ft.
Facilities: 16 camp sites, horse facilities. Season: May-September Fees Reservations accepted
Users: hike, bike, horse
Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness
Peaks Ranger District
Coconino National Forest
5075 N. Highway 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone: (520) 526-0866
Directions: From Flagstaff travel south for 20 miles, the wilderness can be reached off Route 66/ forest
road 231, US 89A and forest road 152, FR 152D, FR152C, and 525. Elevation: 2800 ft – 9000 ft.
Description: red rock formations, cliff dwellings, petroglyphs and century-old homesteads. Season: March
-October Users: hike, horse
Indian Hollow Trailhead
North Kaibab Ranger District
Kaibab National Forest
P.O. Box 248
Fredonia, AZ 86022
Phone: (520) 643-7395
Directions: From Fredonia, go south for 50 miles taking routes 22 to 425 to 232 Elevation: 6000 ft.
Wilderness access trailhead Season: May-November Users: hike, horse
Saddle Mountain Wilderness
North Kaibab Ranger District
Kaibab National Forest
P.O. Box 248
Fredonia, AZ 96202
Phone: (520) 643-7395
Directions: From Jacob Lake, take AZ 67 to forest road 610 & FR 611. Elevation: 6000 ft – 8000 ft.
This wilderness borders Grand Canyon National Park. Season: May – October Users: hike, horse
Icehouse CCC Campground/Trailhead
Globe Ranger District
Tonto National Forest
Route 1, Box 33
Globe, AZ 88501
Phone: (520) 402-6200
Directions: From Globe go south for 6 miles on forest road 112. Elevation: 4,000 ft. Season: year
round NO Horse facilities Users: hike, horse
Salt River Canyon Wilderness
Globe Ranger District
Tonto National Forest
Route 1, Box 33
Globe, AZ 85501
Phone: (602) 225-5200
Directions: From Globe, travel north AZ 288. Acres: 32,100 Description: very rugged, and fantastic
vistas. Elevations: 2,200 ft – 4,200 ft. Access to this wilderness is difficult, and is mostly done at the Salt
River. Season: year round Users: hike, horse
Grand Canyon National Park
P. O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Phone: (520) 638-7888
Location: North of Williams on Arizona State Highway 64, north on US Highway 180. The north rim can be
accessed from Jacob Lake via a scenic byway. Season: year round Fees Reservations: yes
Users: hike, bike, horse
Kehl Springs Trailhead
Mogollon Rim Center
Coconino National Forest
H.C. 31, Box 300
Happy Jack, AZ 86024
Phone: (520) 477-2255
Directions: From Happy Jack travel south on AZ 87 and then travel for 29 miles on forest road 300
Elevation: 7500 ft Season: year round Users: hike, bike, horse
Miller Peak Wilderness
Sierra Vista Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
5990 S. Hwy 92
Hereford, AZ 85615
Phone: (520) 378-0311
Location: Located 6 miles south of Sierra Vista in the Huachuca Mountains Elevation: 5200ft – 9466 ft.
21 well maintained trails Season: year round Users hike, horse
Ramsey Vista Campground/Trailhead
Sierra Vista Ranger District
Coronado National Forest
5990 South Highway 92
Hereford, AZ 85615
Phone: (520) 378-0311
Directions: From Sierra Vista, travel southwest on AZ 92 and forest road 368 for 14 miles. Elevation
7200 ft Season: year round Fees No horse facilities Users: hike, bike, horse
Arrastra Mountain Wilderness
Bureau of Land Management
2475 Beverly Avenue
Kingman, AZ 86401
Phone: (520) 757-3161
Directions: From Wickenburg travel northwest on US Highway 93 take the Bagdad turnoff (Hwy 97).
Elevations: to 5000 feet. Season: year round Users hike, horse
Mount Nutt Wilderness
Kingman Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2475 Beverly Avenue
Kingman, AZ 86401
Phone: (520) 757-3161
Directions: From Kingman, take -I40 south for 3 miles to the Oatman Road exit. Travel 10 miles west to
Navaho Road turn west on Navaho Road, continue 2 miles Description: steep canyons. Season: year
round Users: hike, horse
Mount Wilson Wilderness
Kingman Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2475 Beverly Ave.
Kingman, AZ 86401
Phone: (520) 692-4400
Directions: From Kingman, travel 50 miles north on US 93 to the Temple Bar Road, continue on paved
road for 8 miles to an unpaved jeep trail. Elevation: 5445 feet at the summit of Mount Wilson. Season:
year round Users: hike, horse
Mohave County Fairgrounds
2600 Fairgrounds Blvd.
KINGMAN, AZ 86401
Ph: 520-753-2636 Office:520-753-1904
Directions: From I-40 take Stockton Hill Rd. exit Facilities: 250 – 10×10 outdoor covered box stalls,
water available year round, and RV hookups. Open 24 hours Night watch person on duty. Fees
Tres Alamos Wilderness
Kingman Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2475 Beverly Avenue
Kingman, AZ 85401
Phone: (520) 757-3161
Directions: Take Highway 93 to the Lake Alamo Road, travel 6.5 miles west to an intersection, take the
right fork, and go 7 miles to the wilderness. Acres: 8300 Description: ridges, canyons, and washes
Season: year round Users: hike, horse
Upper Burro Creek Wilderness
Kingman Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2475 Beverly Avenue
Kingman, AZ 86401
Phone: (520) 757-3161
Directions: From Phoenix take US 93 to highway 97 ( Bagdad turnoff) then take the road to Upper Burro
Creek. This road is steep and requires a four wheel drive. Description: Acres: 27,440 Season: year
round Users: hike, horse
Wabayuma Peak Wilderness
Kingman Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2475 Beverly Ave
Kingman, AZ 86401
Phone: (520) 692-4400
Directions: : From Hualapai Mountain County Park go 20 miles on BLM road 2123. Acres: 40,000
.Season: year round Users: hike, horse
Warm Springs Wilderness
Kingman Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2475 Beverly Avenue
Kingman, AZ 86401
Phone: (520) 757-3161
Gibraltar Mountain Wilderness
Lake Havasu Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2610 Sweetwater Avenue
Lake Havasu, AZ 86406
Phone: (520) 505-1200
Directions: From I-10 west, exit at Quartizite, take AZ 95 toward Parker, to AZ 72, turning west toward
Parker, 2 miles south of Parker turn east onto Shea Road and follow this paved road for 5 miles.
Description: volcanic rock, and sandy canyons. Season: year round Users: hike, horse
Harcuvar Mountains Wilderness
Lake Havasu Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2610 Sweetwater Ave.
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406
Phone: (520) 505-1200
Directions: From Wenden travel north on AZ 60 to Alamo Dam Access road. Elevations: 2400 feet
5100 feet. Season: year round Users: horse, hike
Rawhide Mountains Wilderness
Lake Havasu Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
2610 Sweetwater Ave.
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406
Phone: (520) 505-1200
Location: From Kingman travel south on I-40 for 22 miles to Yucca, take Alamo Road. Description: A
river, deep gorge, mountains, side canyons and waterfalls Season: year round Users: hike, horse
Castle Creek Wilderness
Bradshaw Ranger District
Prescott National Forest
2230 East Highway 69
Prescott, AZ 86301
Phone: (520) 445-7253
Directions: From Prescott, take forest road 61 south to forest road 56 to forest road 52. Elevation: 2800
ft – 7000 ft. 25,517-acres. Spectacular views Nine maintained trails. Season: year round Users:
hike, horse
West Clear Creek Wilderness
Beaver Creek Ranger District
Coconino National Forest
HC 64, Box 240
Rimrock, AZ 86335
Phone: (520) 567-4121
Directions: 35 miles east of Camp Verde. Trail starts at Bull Pen Ranch Season: March- October
Users: hike, horse