Black Canyon National Recreation Trail

About this place

The Black Canyon Trail runs 80 miles. It is built for long-range backcountry riding, mountain biking and walking.

This is a National Recreation Trail of national significance. The route has been in use since prehistoric Native American travelers and traders came through.

On a mountain bike it is a challenge. The soils are rough and unstable, the rock is everywhere, the grades keep changing and so does the elevation. The desert climate is harsh.

The trail winds through Sonoran Desert country, including saguaro forests and rugged canyons.

Five trailheads reach it: Emery Henderson, Table Mesa, Black Canyon City, Gloriana and Big Bug. Yavapai County runs the Black Canyon City one. Access and parking differ from one to the next.

Given the length, most people take it in segments and start from whichever trailhead suits. Out-and-back and point-to-point both work, depending on your vehicle.

The Bureau of Land Management calls this one of its Backyard to Backcountry treasures.

The information on the trail was put together by the International Mountain Bicycling Association and the Hassayampa Field Office, to give riders something world-class.

That association holds data on elevations, ratings, current conditions, photos and comments.

You can ride or walk it all year. November through April is the sensible window. Outside that the heat keeps most people away.

There is no drinking water anywhere along the 80 miles of it, so carry every drop you are going to need.

Restrooms depend on the trailhead. Big Bug has one accessible toilet and so does Black Canyon City.

Cell phone service can be unreliable, and there is no public internet or Wi-Fi.

Service dogs are legally allowed anywhere a visitor can go. Pack out all waste.

Your safety here is your own. Call 911 for law enforcement, for emergency services or to report a fire.

Nobody here can give you first aid. Venomous snakes, extreme heat and flash floods are all possible.

Watch the weather and stay on top of any warnings. Carry the right gear, food and water.

The facts

Cost

Free to camp

Stay limit

14-day limit

Drinking water

No, bring your own

Toilet

Yes, at the Big Bug and Black Canyon City trailheads

Phone signal

Can be unreliable

Type

Open area. Camp anywhere within it

When it’s open

All year, though November to April is the recommended window

Managed by

Bureau of Land Management

Rules and restrictions

• Fire restrictions change. Find out the current ones before you go.
• Exploding targets, fireworks, sky lanterns, tracer ammunition and anything else that starts a fire are prohibited on public land in Arizona.
• Leave no trace of your visit.
• Report vandalism, dumping or suspicious activity on 1-800-637-9152.

How long you can stay

Most public land here is open to camping away from a campground. Three things stop it.

• A sign saying camping is closed.
• A clash with something else the land is being used for.
• Harm to wildlife or to the land itself.

You can camp on public land here for up to 14 days in any 28 days.

Getting there

Emery Henderson Trailhead. From Phoenix, take Interstate 17 north and leave at New River Road, Exit 233. Head west and go about three miles. The trailhead is on your right, north of the road. From Prescott, take State Route 69 to Interstate 17 and head south to the same New River exit, 233. Head west, go about three miles along New River Road, and turn right at the developed area.

Table Mesa Trailhead. From Phoenix, take Interstate 17 to the Table Mesa Road exit, 236, turn west, then right onto the frontage road. Drive about 1.65 miles to the Y and bear left. About 1.4 miles further on, watch for a side road on the right. Turn onto it and the trailhead is immediately on the left. From Prescott, take State Route 69 to Interstate 17, head south to the same exit, and follow the frontage road the same way.

Black Canyon City Trailhead. From Phoenix, take Interstate 17 north and leave at the Rock Springs and Black Canyon City exit, 242. Head west. At the stop sign turn right, then quickly left onto Warner Road. Follow it to the white tank, which marks the trailhead. From Prescott, take State Route 69 to Interstate 17 and head south to the Black Canyon City and Cold Water Road exit, 244. Drive through town and turn west onto Werner Road. Follow that to the white tank. Yavapai County looks after this trailhead.

Gloriana Trailhead. From Phoenix, take Interstate 17 north to the Bumble Bee and Crown King exit, 247. Turn right onto the frontage road and go about half a mile to the trailhead on the left. From Prescott, take Interstate 17 south to the Bumble Bee exit, 247, and go about half a mile to the trailhead on the left.

Big Bug Trailhead. Coming from either direction on Interstate 17, take the Prescott and Cordes Lakes Road exit, 262. Prescott is State Route 69. Go about 4.2 miles to the entrance on the west side of the highway. There is no sign for the trailhead, so watch your odometer.

Coordinates 33.879157, -112.179442

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What is near here

Nothing nationally famous is close. These are the landmarks nearby.

• Sunnyslope Mountain 30 miles by road · mountain Directions
• Pinnacle Peak 34 miles by road · mountain Directions
• White Picacho 42 miles by road · mountain Directions
• Agua Fria National Monument 51 miles by road · national monument Directions

Every distance on this page is the driving distance. A short distance can still take a long time. The road may be closed for the season, covered in snow, or washed out. Many of these roads are dirt. Plan your route before you leave home. Out here there is often no phone signal to look it up on the way.

Nearest town and supplies

• Anthem, AZ nearest settlement · 9.3 miles by road · about 23,200 people Directions

Anthem is big enough that you’d normally expect fuel and somewhere to buy food. Nobody from here has been to check, so don’t count on it if you’re running low.