Prescott is a kind of locations that turns into extra fascinating the longer you keep.
At first look, it’s straightforward to be drawn in by the plain issues: Whiskey Row, the historic courthouse, tall ponderosa pines and that unmistakable Outdated West character. However spend somewhat time exploring past downtown and one other Prescott begins to emerge—one carved out of granite, threaded with trails and dotted with lakes.
It is a metropolis the place you’ll be able to sip espresso on Courthouse Sq. within the morning, scramble throughout historic granite, and some hours later, end the afternoon paddling by a maze of boulders rising straight out of the water.
For cyclists, Prescott is very spectacular. The larger path system consists of greater than 100 miles of leisure trails, starting from easy rail-trails and rolling singletrack to technical granite and purpose-built gravity runs. Hikers have simply as a lot selection, whereas Watson and Goldwater lakes add paddling, fishing and a very totally different perspective on the encompassing panorama.
After spending time exploring the world on foot, by bike and from the water, these are 10 locations I feel actually seize what makes Prescott such an distinctive out of doors vacation spot.
Earlier than you proceed studying, I’d prefer to thank Himiway Bikes for sponsoring this submit and video.
1. Downtown Prescott: The place Historical past and Journey Meet
Earlier than heading for the paths, begin within the coronary heart of Prescott.
Historic downtown is centered across the lovely Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza, with Whiskey Row lining one facet of the sq.. As soon as Arizona’s first capital metropolis, Prescott nonetheless wears its historical past effectively. When Arizona formally grew to become the forty eighth state on February 14, 1912…Valentine’s Day, it additionally picked up the becoming nickname of the “Valentine State.”
Right now, the sq. is much less about politics and extra about group. Eating places, galleries, boutique outlets and historic saloons encompass the courthouse, and, throughout the hotter months the garden incessantly turns into an out of doors gathering place. Prescott’s summer time live performance collection brings free stay music to Courthouse Plaza, whereas artwork exhibits, festivals and particular occasions fill the downtown calendar all year long.
And also you don’t must go far so as to add somewhat nature to your downtown stroll.
Simply west of the sq., the Downtown Prescott Greenways comply with parts of Granite and Miller creeks. Town has been growing this hall as a path system connecting downtown with parks, faculties and different elements of the group. Alongside the way in which you’ll discover picnic tables, stretches of tree cowl, the small creek that provides Granite Creek its identify, and a powerful 410-foot mural depicting landscapes and wildlife from across the Prescott space.
Earlier than leaving downtown, take a drive or stroll alongside Mount Vernon Avenue. Beneath a cover of mature timber sits one lovely historic house after one other…a quieter, extra residential glimpse into Prescott’s previous.
2. Acker Park: A Surprisingly Wild Escape Minutes from Downtown
Acker Park is a kind of locations that’s straightforward to miss, which is strictly a part of its attraction.
Positioned solely minutes from downtown, this roughly 80-acre pure park has 4 entry factors and three.24 miles of trails, together with a one-mile interpretive loop. The principle entrance on South Virginia Avenue affords free parking, whereas the South Washington entry has restricted parking and is healthier suited to walk-ins.
The paths wind by native vegetation and climb excessive sufficient to offer surprisingly broad views throughout Prescott, together with an incredible vantage level towards Thumb Butte. Interpretive indicators determine native vegetation alongside the way in which, and the park additionally consists of picnic areas, an amphitheater, geocaching alternatives and a number of other items of public artwork.
Considered one of Acker Park’s extra sudden options is a small stone labyrinth tucked into the panorama. It’s the form of discovery that makes a easy hike right here really feel extra fascinating than you would possibly anticipate.
For a fast morning stroll, path run or mountain-bike experience with out touring removed from city, Acker Park is a simple addition to a Prescott itinerary.
3. Goldwater Lake: Ponderosa Pines, Quiet Water and Lakeside Trails
Drive just a few miles south of downtown and Prescott takes on a completely totally different character.
Goldwater Lake sits beneath tall ponderosa pines, creating the form of traditional mountain-lake setting you may not look forward to finding in Arizona.
Higher Goldwater Lake is the leisure hub. You possibly can fish, kayak, canoe or launch a small electric-powered boat, whereas picnic areas, ramadas, a playground and mountain climbing trails make this a simple place to spend a number of hours. Gasoline-powered boats and swimming are usually not permitted.
The encompassing path system can also be wonderful for mountain climbing and biking. One pleasant choice loops by the forest across the lake system and supplies views of each Higher and Decrease Goldwater lakes. Some sections are rocky sufficient to maintain issues fascinating, however a lot of the route is shaded by pine forest.
Decrease Goldwater Lake is smaller and noticeably quieter. No boats or paddleboards are allowed there, and fishing is at the moment catch-and-release with synthetic flies or lures solely. Should you’re viewing the world from above, as I had an opportunity to do with a drone, the distinction between the 2 small lakes and the encompassing forest is very hanging.
4. Bean Peaks: Prescott’s Playground for Mountain Bikers
Should you choose your bike rides with berms, rollers and somewhat gravity concerned, Bean Peaks needs to be excessive in your record.
Positioned south of Prescott close to White Spar Campground, the Bean Peaks Gravity Circulation Trails are Arizona’s first devoted gravity-flow path system on Nationwide Forest land. About 16 miles of purpose-built trails are at the moment open, starting from beginner-friendly inexperienced runs to intermediate blues and superior black trails.
This isn’t conventional cross-country singletrack.
Many trails are directional and particularly designed for mountain bikes, with sculpted berms, tabletops, rollers, jumps, technical rock options and freeride terrain. Devoted climbing routes get riders again uphill earlier than one other run down.
Even the path names reveal that no person took themselves too critically whereas creating this place: Cool Beans, Magic Bean, Butter Bean, Spicy Bean and Holy Frijole are all a part of the community.
One vital element for e-bike riders: electrical bikes are at the moment prohibited at Bean Peaks. Hikers are additionally restricted primarily to designated climbing/shared-use trails, so test the path map earlier than heading out.
5. Pioneer Park & Brownlow: Flowing Singletrack with Miles to Discover
On Prescott’s northwest facet, Pioneer Park supplies entry to one of many space’s most pleasant networks of mountain-bike and mountain climbing trails.
The adjoining Brownlow system is understood regionally for quick, flowy singletrack, rolling terrain and loads of choices for creating your individual route. The Arizona Biking Affiliation commonly makes use of Brownlow for racing, with routes of roughly six miles that includes a number of hundred ft of climbing per lap—a very good indication of the sort of terrain you’ll encounter right here.
What makes Pioneer Park particularly helpful, nonetheless, is connectivity.
You possibly can keep near the park for a comparatively fast experience or proceed by Prescott’s bigger path community. The Jan Alfano Path helps join the Brownlow/Pioneer Park system towards Embry-Riddle and the Willow Lake path system, opening the door to a for much longer experience.
The panorama right here is extra open than the closely forested trails south and west of Prescott, so anticipate expansive views, high-desert vegetation and lengthy sightlines because the singletrack rolls throughout the terrain.
6. Granite Gardens: Scrambling By means of Prescott’s Pure Rock Playground
Some trails are memorable due to the place they lead. Granite Gardens is memorable due to the path itself.
This compact path system dives immediately into the Granite Dells, the place huge weathered boulders and uncovered granite slabs flip a hike into one thing nearer to a pure impediment course.
You’ll climb a 38-step staircase constructed into the rocks, comply with white dots painted on uncovered granite, squeeze by slim passages and work your method round Fortress Rock earlier than reaching trails with names like Rock Stacker and Grotto. The complete community isn’t notably lengthy, however the terrain makes each quarter-mile fascinating.
Mountain bikers can experience right here as effectively, though that is distinctly technical terrain—rock slabs, sharp climbs and awkward options make it extra acceptable for skilled riders than informal cyclists. That stated, the principle path from the trailhead is accessible to most riders.
Granite Gardens can also be a favourite amongst native rock climbers. The simply accessible granite supplies climbing and rappelling alternatives inside the similar exceptional panorama.
If you would like a hike the place you’ll truly use your fingers sometimes, that is the place.
7. Thumb Butte: Prescott’s Signature Hike—and a Gateway to A lot Extra
Look west from virtually anyplace in Prescott and one landmark tends to dominate the skyline: Thumb Butte.
The two.1-mile Thumb Butte Path #33 is without doubt one of the hottest hikes in Prescott Nationwide Forest. It climbs by ponderosa pine forest towards the shoulders of the butte, the place openings within the timber reveal sweeping views throughout Prescott and the encompassing mountains.
It’s comparatively brief, however don’t underestimate it. Parts of the climb are steep sufficient to get your coronary heart working.
Path #33 itself is hiking-only—mountain bikes and e-bikes are prohibited on this explicit path. However don’t make the error of pondering meaning all the Thumb Butte space is off-limits to bikes.
Proceed past the principle recreation space and an in depth assortment of interconnected trails spreads by the encompassing Prescott Nationwide Forest. Routes reminiscent of Thumb Butte Bypass, Circle Connection, Backyard Grove and others create quite a few potentialities for mountain climbing, horseback driving and standard mountain biking by pine forest and rolling mountain terrain.
Parking on the Thumb Butte Recreation Space is at the moment $5, with free parking on Wednesdays. You may also use your Nationwide Park Move right here.
8. Constellation Trails: A Maze By means of the Granite Dells
The Constellation Trails could also be compact, however they pack a powerful quantity of terrain into a comparatively small space.
Positioned on Prescott’s north facet, this interconnected path system winds among the many huge rounded formations of the Granite Dells. Mountaineering right here means shifting from dust singletrack onto naked rock, slipping by slim granite corridors and tackling brief climbs and descents that make the panorama really feel a lot bigger than it truly is.
Mountain bikers use the paths too, though parts turn out to be technical rapidly due to uncovered rock, tight turns and abrupt elevation modifications. Should you keep to the left of the fork simply previous the trailhead, the path is extra manageable for informal bikers.
There’s additionally a narrative behind the weird identify.
In 1959, a U.S. Air Drive Lockheed C-121G Tremendous Constellation crashed on this space throughout a coaching flight. The 5 crew members have been killed, and the path system was later named of their honor. A memorial close to the trailhead commemorates the lads, including an sudden—and somber—layer of historical past to the panorama.
Constellation is a very good selection if you wish to expertise the Granite Dells however don’t have a number of hours to dedicate to an extended hike.
9. Watson Lake: Paddle By means of the Coronary heart of the Granite Dells
Few locations visually outline Prescott higher than Watson Lake.
Deep blue water fills the areas between huge sculpted granite boulders, making a panorama that generally appears to be like extra like a film set than a metropolis park.
Considered one of my favourite methods to expertise Watson Lake is from the water. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards mean you can slip into rocky coves and slim passages that may’t actually be appreciated from shore. Two boat launches present entry, and kayak and canoe leases can be found on the lake. Swimming, nonetheless, is prohibited.
There’s loads to do when you’re again on dry floor. Watson Lake Park affords mountain climbing, biking, fishing, mountaineering, disc golf, picnic areas and seasonal tenting. Close by Watson Woods Riparian Protect additionally provides wonderful birding to the combo.
Watson Lake doubles as one in all Prescott’s most dramatic occasion venues. Automotive exhibits, path races, concert events and the Prescott Pow-Wow, Highland Video games and different group occasions commonly use the park and its distinctive granite backdrop.
Should you solely have time for one lake whereas visiting Prescott, Watson is troublesome to beat.
10. Peavine Path: Considered one of Prescott’s Greatest Rides
I saved one in all my favorites for final.
The Prescott Peavine Nationwide Recreation Path follows the route of a former railroad, and that historical past is a part of what makes it such an pleasant place to experience or stroll.
As a result of trains don’t deal with steep grades notably effectively, the previous rail mattress creates a broad, comparatively mild path…excellent for cyclists who need surroundings with out tackling extremely technical terrain.
Starting close to Watson Woods, the Peavine runs alongside parts of Watson Lake earlier than heading immediately into the Granite Dells. The farther you journey, the extra dramatic the panorama turns into as large granite formations shut in across the former railroad hall.
Ultimately you’ll attain Level of Rocks, the place trains as soon as handed by the Dells, adopted by the previous Prescott and Jap Junction. Arizona Highways describes a preferred six-mile round-trip path to this space, whereas the Peavine itself continues past it.
The mix of historical past, water and large granite formations makes this a kind of uncommon trails that’s fascinating even should you’re not usually a “path individual.”
And should you aren’t prepared to show round, there’s a bonus.
On the previous railroad junction, join with the Iron King Path and proceed east towards Prescott Valley. Just like the Peavine, Iron King follows a former railroad hall, extending the experience by open high-desert grasslands and providing you with a completely totally different perspective on the area.
Put the Peavine and Iron King collectively and you’ll flip a simple outing right into a for much longer cross-community journey.
For me, that’s among the best issues about exploring Prescott: one path so usually results in one other.
Prescott Is Higher Explored Slowly
What makes Prescott such a rewarding out of doors vacation spot isn’t one marquee path or a single well-known viewpoint. It’s how a lot selection is packed into such a small space.
One morning can start beneath the timber of Courthouse Plaza and finish amongst ponderosa pines at Goldwater Lake. You possibly can experience easy railroad grades by the Granite Dells, sort out purpose-built gravity trails at Bean Peaks, scramble over granite at Granite Gardens, paddle round Watson Lake or climb excessive above city beneath Thumb Butte.
And in between all of which can be dozens of smaller trails, connectors and quiet corners that not often make a customer’s must-see record.
That’s actually the key to Prescott.
Don’t rush by it.
Convey mountain climbing sneakers. Convey a motorcycle in case you have one. Hire a kayak. Go away a day open with out a lot of a plan.
As a result of in Prescott, among the greatest adventures start when the pavement ends.
And chances are high, there’s one other path ready simply across the nook.
Thanks a lot for studying. When you’ve got any questions on exploring Prescott, Arizona, depart a remark beneath, completely happy to assist. So, till subsequent time, we’ll see ya on the street..
The submit 10 Unimaginable Locations to Bike, Hike, Discover and Journey in Prescott, Arizona appeared first on Mike's Street Journey.