I arrived early, just after 7am. It took us much longer than by using I-10 and I-17, but it was such a beautiful drive on State Highway 188. Semi full moon. Track (3/2/20, 3:33:20PM) Return from Cave! My first off roading trip and was not disappointed. Apr 19, 2017 near Gold Camp, AZ. Many wildflowers. However, Tonto's plentiful wildlife includes bears and snakes, so dogs should be monitored at all times, and preferably on a leash. Lost Dutchman State Park Loop via Crosscut Trail, Railroad Tunnel Washington Park Houston Mesa Payson, 15312 E Red Bird Rd, Scottsdale to [FR 413] **4WD**, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, Skunk Tank Loop via Skunk Creek Trail #246 and Cave Creek Trail #4, Three Mile Wash Dispersed via Apache Trail, Sheep Bridge Dispersed via Cave Creek Road [FR 24] and [FR 269], 8769 E Granite Pass Rd, Scottsdale to 6232 E Rancho Del Oro Dr, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, Battleship Mountain Loop via Dutchman Trail #104, Hackberry Mesa Loop via Hackberry Spring Trail and Second Water Trail #236, Queen Creek Bridge to Rice Water Canyon, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Sheep Bridge Dispersed via [FR 41] **4WD**, 6109 E Apache Trl to Lost Dutchman State Park, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Lost Dutchman State Park Loop via Crosscut Trail and Prospector Trail, AZT Top of Rim from near Washington Park Trailhead, Track (8/15/20) Horton Creek 2 Houston Mesa, The Rolls OHV Area - FR 143 Access via El Oso Road, 32105 N 143rd Pl, Scottsdale to 13848 E Cavedale Dr, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, [FSR 13] to North Bush Highway, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, Flatiron w Nancy Karen Karen (5/21/20, 7:30:58AM), See Canyon Trailhead, on Highline westUSA, Crystal Spring Loop via Dutchman Trail #104 and Bluff Spring Trail, 743-803 S Beeline Hwy - Doll Baby Ranch Rd - Crackerjack Rd - Crackerjack Rd, Bronco Trailhead, Maricopa County to Trail Tank, Yavapai County, AZ, USA, Pine Trailhead Parking to Trail #28, Pine, AZ, USA, Plow Saddle Spring Loop via Reavis Ranch Trail #109 and Frog Tanks Trail #112, The road to Seven Springs than to Bloody Basin, North Bush Highway to [FR 403] **4WD**, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, Cave Creek Trail to Skunk Tank Trail Loop, Picketpost Mountain via Picket Post Mountain Trail, Battleship Mountain Loop (2/14/20, 7:56:46AM), Water Users Recreation Site to Stewart Mountain Dam Heliport, Maricopa County, AZ, USA. Helpful. Accessible all year. Those more adventurous types can rappel the falls. Hiking up to the Wave Cave in the Superstition Mountains Tonto National Forest. It is pretty and quiet. Lots of water, snow and elevation changes! A beautiful quick, easy trail on horseback. One of my top 2 rides ever! It was a very demanding hike through dry river beds; up canyon wall; and returning back down. There are many turnouts, picnic area, campgrounds, fishing spots, etc. Not a hike. Water was flowing at almost every creek crossing and flowers were blooming. The developed portion of Dead Horse Ranch State Park covers 423 acres. The views were amazingly spectacular. ★ We turned off a few times to take photos, but since we wanted to get to Flagstaff before dark, we were reluctant to linger. (I only had a few sips, at the scenery was all I needed to drink.) Went with our rock club, we are extremely lucky to have a husband/wife geologist team! ★. West Pinto Creek, just east of Superior, Arizona, is a popular recreation destination on the Tonto National Forest. Spend days on end hiking, biking, and ATVing through the backcountry wilderness of Tonto National Forest. As it has been such a hot summer in the desert, we loved climbing up into the coolness of the Ponderosa Pine forests at the higher elevation. Absolutely beautiful hike. Yellow Peak Loop via Dutchman Trail #104 and Black Mesa Trail #241, Horton Spring Loop via Horton Creek Trail #285 and Highline Trail #31, Best Hiking Trails in Tonto National Forest. It’s way away from everything so be prepared. Photo opportunities abound. Summary: A nice 200 foot waterfall that you can visit right from your car. Phoenix, Arizona, is the gateway to the \"urban\" Tonto National Forest, which boasts landscapes ranging from cactus-strewn desert to forested mountains. Tonto National Monument provides a place to explore and learn about a unique part of America's heritage. I've hiked thousands of miles in Arizona over the years but at only 7ish miles (round trip), this is the most difficult hike I've ever done in Arizona. Nothing challenging. Awesome Trail...there was no water in the river yet...I miss that part...another month or two there will be :D. Good hike along old unused 4WD road and then along the newer 4WD road to the top. A great short hike for the early morning or evening. Otherwise lots of sand. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point. This was probably the most technical trip with the guys yet. Just two other hikers ahead of me. We spent a day trip viewing Roosevelt Lake Recreation Area. I highly recommend. Extraordinary and an amazing experience. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Read more. I arrived at 0545. Took about 4 hours to get from I17 to cave creek but we were mostly driving with short stops. There is a large wash that is about half or more of the trail that has pretty deep sand, 4WD necessary for this part. Lots of rocks going south. There are six National Forests in Arizona, and this one is the largest. We did it with a jeep Beautiful ride I must do and also a Badge of Honor, for Jeep, 10-18 trail is open all the way from Cave Creek FR24 to FR41 to I17/W. Super easy. ★ Took out a stock 2020 Tacoma TRD Off Road, and it handled the terrain excellently. The Tonto National Forest, encompassing 2,873,200 acres (1,162,700 ha; 11,627 km2), is the largest of the six national forests in Arizona and is the fifth largest national forest in the United States. Great hike to bring your dog with. Thanks For Watching, please like and Subscribe to my channel! Better choice for a weekday than mid-day Saturday. Start by heading to the national forest's page for recreation conditions as trail status can change seasonally. Any stock SXS can do this ride. ★ A great day hike if you’re up for it. This is an excellent hike with unique terrain compared to the surrounding areas, due to it's higher elevation. Signage on NF roads and trails are awesome. Going back to make the summit in a couple days though! Great variety of terrain. Even better after snowmelt as there is alot of running water. Water crossings - the rocks weren’t super slick but any time you cross it can be dangerous. Beautiful colors and lots of water! In early June of 2019, the Woodbury fire burned more than 123,000 acres of the Superstition Mountains in Tonto National Forest. Not one for the summer months. You should find the trail in great shape. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Phoenix, Arizona, is the gateway to the "urban" Tonto National Forest, which boasts landscapes ranging from cactus-strewn desert to forested mountains. But walking the route is much more revealing. All of the tough stuff is in the first half of the ride. Great vistas all the way up and fantastic 360 degree views from the top. The national forest includes eight wilderness areas and both high and low country, making it easy to find cooler temps at higher elevations in the summer, and winter-friendly hiking trails down low. Not the best way in, as the main trail entrance was closed for COVID-19 pandemic. But don't forget your compass! Overall easy and fun!! Stopped about 3 times to get out so my wife and daughter could take pictures. Well worth taking comparing to the major freeways. The FJ looks like a Tonka Toy. We clocked about 12 miles and took us about 2.5 hours in a lifted JKU with 33s. Add Your Photos. If one wants to get a real idea of Arizona, this is the road to take.Elevations range from 1300 feet to 7900 feet. No lockers. So far this year, fires have burned nearly 225,000 acres of the Tonto National Forest, so officials have closed the area to prevent more fires. The Lake itself is a gem, so unexpected in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. After the mountains were recently on fire it’s like the heat still remains. Terrain better than most for their paws. Our service project will focus on much-needed recovery efforts on wilderness trails in the Eastern Superstition Mountains. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. At over 2.9 million acres, the Tonto National Forest is the largest national forest in Arizona, and the seventh largest national forest among 154 USDA National Forests. We took 87 through Strawberry and then took 260 into Camp Verde and then 17 through Sedona to Flagstaff. Spotted some mule deer. Campers awake to a scenic backdrop of rugged bluffs, saguaro cactus and desert skies. The bouncing is totally worth the drive because sheep’s bridge is awesome. Nice and cool 65 degrees. Lunch in Cave Creek was great. When the dry creek bed meets the southern boundary fence between the Tonto National Monument and National Forest land, we are at the hiking trail "half-way point". Drove it this afternoon with my Toyota FJ. Colorful pottery, woven cotton cloth, and other artifacts tell a story of people living and using resources from the northern Sonoran Desert from 1250 to 1450 CE. You could drive the ragged road into Shannon Gulch near Payson if you didn't mind beating up your car. Review of Tonto National Forest. Went with our rock club, we are extremely lucky to have a husband/wife geologist team! Lockers recommended. This was my first hike in AZ and it was very challenging. Miner's lettuce and peppergrass could find a place at the local salad bar! Poison ivy - plenty of this seen along creek banks. For more information visit the Hours & Seasons page. Didn’t need my head lamp. Whether you want to do-it-yourself or join a guided trip, the recreation page contains many options for making the most of your visit to the park. This is a great wheeler trail! Water everywhere - flowing creeks and springs. My quaranteam and I went on a hike to find the Salt River Wild Horses in Tonto National Forest. Beautiful views, cactus were in bloom. Amazing in the fall! You will cross the river about 5 times. Various overnight permits and day-use options are available. Great, quick out and back. Trailhead Traveler’s Recommended Hikes in Tonto National Forest. It was chilly and a tiny bit of snow was falling. Table Mesa Road...all is passable! You have to mind your footing and the trail is rocky. Lots of sand and ruts. It's about like Flatiron, but a little less dramatic. Miles of hiking and equestrian trails in this area allow access to beautiful scenery and the Superstition Wilderness, a 160,000-acre landscape of rugged desert plants, haunting canyons and dramatic volcanic upthrusts. More than 14,000 acres of the forest he died in was consumed by wildfire on the day of his death, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It's like having a hiking buddy who's been there before and knows the way in your backpack. Crosscut Trail Head, Maricopa County to Massacre Falls Trail, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Massacre Falls with Water Fall (2/23/20, 10:47:35), Bartlett Dam Road [FR 19] to East Adobe Circle, Rogers Canyon Spring Loop via Rogers Canyon Trail #110, Treasure Loop via Jacob’s Crosscut and Prospectors View Trails, La Barge Pool Loop via Boulder Canyon Trail #103, First water to Dutchman through boulder canyon loop, Track (1/7/20, 10:27:23AM)Hackberry Spring trail, Mountain Lion Cave (2881) 1/7/20, 8:42:12AM), Track (12/24/19, 7:30:30AM)phx/pay/cve/phx, Charlebois Spring via Dutchman Trail #104 and Bluff Spring Trail, Cave Creek to Sheep Bridge to Bloody Basin Road - 14-Dec-2019, Crosscut Trail Head to First Water Road, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, Montana Mountain Loop via Forest Road 650, Weaver's Needle Loop via Bluff Spring Trail, Four Peaks OHV Trail to Roosevelt (10/6/19, 10:13:28AM), Barnhardt Trailhead, Gila County, AZ, USA, Colcord Mtn to HellsGate Wilderness to Young to Colcord lookout, Four Peaks Saddle and Decent (5/27/19, 9:30:36AM), 11740 E Groundcherry Ln, Scottsdale to Camp Creek, Maricopa County, AZ, USA. Outstanding scenery, road is pretty rough but can be accomplished in a stock 4x4. We went through many parts of this Forest, and saw much diverse scenery. Track (3/26/20, 12:48:51PM) Butcher Jones OHV- via popercito entrance. Make sure vehicle is up to par before trip. Moderately difficult mountain bike / hiking trails in the desert with views. Got stuck at one deep sand pit but was able to crawl out in 4-Low. First trip with new tires and lift kit. The Tonto National Forest (TNF) offers a wide variety of riding opportunities for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts. A stock suv with better tires is totally fine. Learned so much about the type of rock formed over millions of years here, so fascinating. We brought a filter and so had plenty to drink. The Coconino National Forest roads and trails are emasculate. the Deer Flat area of Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix, but hiking there still has great scenic value. A joy to ride on. Off roading in my Jeep. The Tonto National Forest, encompassing 2,873,200 acres (1,162,700 ha), is the largest of the six national forests in Arizona and is the fifth largest national forest in the United States. Also had a lot of quail and rabbits. Workman Creek Falls - Sierra Ancha Wilderness, Tonto National Forest. more. Rate trail easy/moderate due short distance. The rest of the year, the Highline Trail in the Payson district provides lengthy legs and many variations for multi-day backpacking trips. A New Jersey native died while hiking in a national forest. Bring lots of water. 3.0 out of 5 stars More overnighters than casual day hikes. Tonto National Forest. Stock 4x4 can make this with no problem. Well worth it. Comment Report abuse. Very quick drive. Trail is rocky but not too steep. It wasn’t difficult at all my dog and I made it with simplicity. Tucked away in a tiny valley surrounded by a forest of pine trees, Tonto Natural Bridge has been in the making for thousands of years. Watch water level and prepared to be out ALL DAY. We did this hike on 2/16/19 and the trailhead was open. In the summer, gain elevation to a cooler climate to escape the desert heat. Our service project will focus on much-needed recovery efforts on wilderness trails in the Eastern Superstition Mountains. Drove through and checked out several spots on my way to New Mexico, very glad I did. Though the road is destroyed going down to the canyon we had a good time there. Great views on the top but not along the way. This is about one hour ride. High clearance and 4wd a must. We had to walk through water about 2 feet deep at one point in order to continue on. Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ. The Visitors Center was excellent, one of the best we've ever been to. The waterfall trail is wonderful, a fairly steep climb down, then a manmade wooden bridge takes you to a tunnel with water cascading from above, after the bridge ends, some people continue & scramble over rocks to get a closer look, and take some great pics! ★ We love AZ, and we will do this drive again when we get back out there. Tonto's many lakes make it particularly great for hot weather: There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water by paddling, fishing, and swimming. Such a variety of scenery and history, I did not expect. It was pretty difficult going up the North side of the mountain but once you push through the climb you are rewarded with the amazing view over the towns and cities! Mesa Ranger District 5140 E. Ingram St. Mesa, Arizona 85205 (480) 610-3300 This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I led a group from Valle Del Oro Hiking Club to cut back intrusive vegetation especially cat claw and thorn bushes as well as cactus. Being so close to the lake, you can expect to be joined by several other hikers along the way. Bring plenty of water, especially during the hotter months, as on-trail water sources become limited. Great fall or winter hike with a young family. Parts of the Tonto National Forest remain closed through at least the end of the month due to currently active wildfires and high fire danger. Take water, food and sunscreen. Wasn’t crowded at all. We took our dogs and so only hiked to the saddle and enjoyed views of the peak. hotter than up in the forest. Elevation 7,540 feet. Great hike for a cool day. Was a nice challenging trail to complete in 5 hours, even for a veteran. View my Landscape photography at: This is one of the best day hikes from Phoenix if you're looking to skip the parking woes and crowds of Camelback or something a bit more interesting than Usury. A part of the trail goes along the Arizona Trail, making it fun to dream about taking a much longer walk. From October through April each year, urban dwellers take advantage of cooler temperatures and enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, rock climbing and scenic driving throughout the surrounding Tonto National Forest. Great rock formations. ★ Avoid at all costs. The Tonto National Forest is comprised of more than two and a half million acres of lush land. You can find more information here or call the local ranger station for most current availability. The West section of the trail is especially incredible. Sweet trail! The desert floor is attractive during the spring, fall, and winter months when temps are mild. Took narrow side trails and exited on Beeline highway. Good trail, easy when dry but potentially difficult water crossings during or after a rain. I wouldn’t recommend a solo trip through here. Going to the cabin means 20+ water crossings, all easy wades. Camping at campgrounds and in dispersed campsites are closed. This was also the only hike I’ve been on when I didn’t meet a single person on the trail. The Fremont Saddle Loop via Peralta Canyon Trail located in the Superstition Wilderness Area draws in hikers during the non-summer months. Hieroglyphics Trail 4/5/19 Some things to watch out for: The Tonto features some of the most rugged and inherently beautiful land in the country. We traveled from Tonto Basin AZ, trailering our UTV’s 90 miles to the AZ Rim. Beautiful roads winding through stunning forest scenery rising and falling almost 3,000 feet. It was very quiet and made the hike even more enjoyable. 8 people found this helpful. Got the picture up against the canyon. It is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. Well worth the hike! One very tough obstacle in the beginning. ★ We stopped on many occasions to sample the bounty of the Tonto Basin, much like the ancient Salado would have. Water crossings could be high/deep after recent rains. Having said that, the view from the Flatiron was amazing! Beautiful trail one hour drive from Phoenix. While I recommend always having extra water, you could do this with a litre. Close to nobody on the trail. Kind of annoyingly rocky. Beautiful! Fairly busy after a rainfall. climbing and large rocks on trail but the views are fantastic, Fremont Saddle Loop via Peralta Canyon Trail, Mark’s Montana Mountain Ride: Upper Tank, Queen Valley to Reavis Trail Canyon, Pinal County, AZ, USA, New River to Cave Creek (12/2/20, 10:32:44AM), Back way to Mount Ord - Partial (4/12/20), Superstition Mountains Queen Valley 4/2/20 9:07:03 AM. Contact regional ranger stations for additional information. Finished the whole thing in about 4 hours. The last mile or so to the top, has some hand over hand climbing involved that will make many hikers uneasy. Completely surrounded by the nearly three-million-acre Tonto National Forest, with pine-forested slopes, spring-fed creeks, and box canyons, the quiet town makes an excellent base for hiking. The hike is medium/moderate and well travelled. Roosevelt lake, cliff dwellings, natural rock formations, huge cliffs, and great views. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed December 25). Tonto National Forest, where the clash took place, is the largest in Arizona at more than 2.9 million acres. United States ; Arizona (AZ) Things to Do in Arizona ; Tonto National Forest; Search. We choose to enjoy this slightly longer, but very beautiful drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff. Started to late in the day and only made it just up the granite rock past the waterfall. ★. Wide easy trail with gentle slope up to the old road tunnel. Tonto National Forest The Bob Bear Trail provides access to the headwaters of the Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River and the Fossil Springs Wilderness on the Tonto and Coconino National Forests. Tonto National Forest, Arizona: Hours, Phone Number, Tonto National Forest Reviews: 4.5/5. The waterfall trail is wonderful, a fairly steep climb down, then a manmade wooden bridge takes you to a tunnel with water cascading from above, after the bridge ends, some … There was still plenty of moving water which surprised both of us. I would highly recommend this ride. Nothing too strenuous and lots of beauty. Snakes - saw 2 Arizona Black Rattlesnakes on different parts of the trail. Then down into Phoenix across desert some 20 degs. Tonto National Monument showcases two Salado-style cliff dwellings. Nice out and back hike with a lot of climbing. Sad sight but a very pleasant trail. The 2020 Sears Fire scorched part of the Deer Flat area of Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix, but hiking there still has great scenic value. Awesome trail. Sonoran Desert 2 Hour Guided ATV Adventure, Ask Marlene B about Tonto National Forest, Ask laurensK8638DM about Tonto National Forest, All of the tonto is breathtaking and worth seeing, Ask calitrippn about Tonto National Forest, Hotels with Military Discounts in Arizona, Hotels near (PHX) Sky Harbor Intl Airport, Hotels near (AZA) Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Great hike. Scramble to the tunnel but the rest was pretty easy, for the most part! I would not advise this hike in the rain! A bit technical. Explore a National Treasure! In early June of 2019, the Woodbury fire burned more than 123,000 acres of the Superstition Mountains in Tonto National Forest. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Enjoyed the desert scenery. Hello friends! But still a great drive! This was our first hike up Siphon Draw Trail towards Flatiron. The forest road out to sheep’s bridge is a rocky road. Learn more here. I suspect the best time to visit would be after heavy rains. Remember, going down is much more difficult then going up. The national forest includes eight wilderness areas and both high and low country, making it easy to find cooler temps at higher elevations in the summer, and winter-friendly hiking trails down low. The 3,300 foot elevation accounts for the mild temperatures that are ideal for camping, mountain biking in the Coconino National Forest, hiking along the Verde River, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, or just wading in the cool water. Hiking Trails, Scenic Drives, Horseback Riding Tours. It is slow going and not really a difficult trail but don’t take anything with highway tires. It was my 1st time hiking completely around Weaver’s Needle. With year-round access, permits are strictly enforced and set in place to protect fragile environments from overuse. This was an experience. The trail extends farther and wraps around to the road but we just turned around because we were hungry. Spring of a wet year was a great time to make this hike. Parking at Canyon Lake Marina. L. L. Ward. There is hiking, camping, water activities, etc. ★ It is the largest national forest in the state of Arizona and the fifth largest in the entire country. The view down the canyon with setting sun is excellent. The Highline Trail, established in 1870, was used to travel between homesteads and to attend school in Pine. All stock have BFG AT. Whether you ride motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs/Side-by-Sides (SxS), or full-size four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, the TNF provides a diverse scenery ranging from the Saguaro cactus-studded Sonoran Desert to pine-forested mountains beneath the Mogollon Rim. We stayed over an hour just browsing the exhibits. 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