High Desert Trail

HIGH DESERT TRAIL

Black Canyon City

Bradshaw Mountains seen from High Desert Trail

Tethered to both a kiddie playground a backcountry historic trail, High Desert Park in Black Canyon City doubles up as an approachable community gathering space and gateway to the rugged canyonlands of Central Arizona.

Blooming barrel cactus on High Desert Trail

Dubbed a “Desert Gem” by the High Desert Helpers, Inc., the 501(3)(c) non-profit that manages the park and the High Desert Trail within it, the Yavapai County site packs a massive amount of fun into its 89.1-acre parcel.

Kings Canyon Overlook on the "blue" loop

The park is situated west of Interstate 17 among the suburbs of Black Canyon City, Rock Springs and the foothills of the Bradshaw and New River Mountains.

Swing sets, restrooms, water, picnic tables, grills, sports facilities and community center anchor the family-friendly plot while a total of 2.7 miles of outdoor trails offer non-intimidating ways to get some exercise.

A rabbit hops through a cholla forest

The High Desert Trail has two parts. The main “blue” trail is a 1.7-mile loop and the 0.3-mile “yellow” trail (also known as Joedy’s Trail) that may be used for a shorter loop option.

"Tablelands" stand out on the High Desert Trail

The hike begins at a shade pavilion with maps and interpretive signs describing local wildlife. Heading west for a counterclockwise hike is the preferred plan as it takes on the climbing section of the trail early on. Initially the trail moves through a cholla forest that’s part of the park’s 0.8-mile original nature trail that has been lassoed into the blue perimeter loop.

Junction of the "blue" and "yellow" trails

Hike begins in High Desert Park in Black Canyon City

 Rustic wood signs placed along the route identify native plants such as jojoba, barrel cactus and saguaros.  Right from the get go and throughout the hike, gorgeous mountain views and a tableland of flat topped mesas peek through cholla forests and thickets of diverse desert vegetation.

Desert senna blooms April - October

Quartz and basalt: part of the area's complex geology

Rusty artifacts on the "yellow" trail

The trail’s appeal is augmented with benches placed at scenic spots and two spectacular overlook points. A short spur trail leads to Kings Canyon Overlook, a stony edge on the far west end of the blue loop trail that hangs over the deep gorge of Black Canyon.

Monsoon rains coax the green out of ocotillo

At the south end of the perimeter loop, the Rock Springs Overlook peers over the severe cuts of the Agua Fria River channel, and the famous Rock Springs Café, pies and all. 

Rock Springs scenic overlook

The "yellow" trail cuts through the main "blue" loop

Never quite escaping the subdued rattle and hum of Interstate 17, the loop’s east leg dips downhill to meet a connector path that leads to a popular trailhead for the  Black Canyon National Recreation Trail—a long-distance, non-motorized historic route that goes from Phoenix to the Verde Valley. The final leg swings north through classic high desert eco zones and saguaro-lined ridges replete with a sampling of the quartz outcroppings, metamorphic stone slabs and volcanic ejecta that contribute to the area’s complex geological footprint, completing a fun and informative trek lodged between freeway and wilds.

Spectacular mountain views dominate the hike

LENGTH: 2.1 miles (blue and yellow trails)

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION:  2,024 – 2,153 feet   

GETTING THERE:

19001 Jacie Lane, Black Canyon City.

From Interstate 17, take the Black Canyon City/Rock Springs exit 242. Turn left at the stop sign, then right at the Old Black Canyon Highway junction. Continue a short distance  to Jacie Lane, turn left and follow the road into the park.

PARK HOURS: Dawn to dusk daily

FACILITIES: restrooms, water, picnic tables & grills, sports facilities, kiddie playground

INFO:

Yavapai County Parks

yavapaiaz.gov/facilities/yavapai-county-parks/high-desert-park

High Desert Helpers, Inc.

highdeserthelpers.org/park/