Back Road to Crown King, Hard 4x4 trail in Black Canyon City, AZ
    Hard
    Trail

    Back Road to Crown King

    Black Canyon City, AZ•Southwest

    Back Road to Crown King is a hard 25 miles off-road trail near Black Canyon City, AZ, best run Year-round. The gear list marks 33"+ all-terrain tires, 3"+ lift kit, 4WD with low range and Rock sliders as required, and Rear locker and Winch as recommended. Stock trucks and Jeeps are not recommended without the required build parts.

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    The Back Road to Crown King is one of Arizona's most legendary off-road routes, climbing from the desert floor near I-17 through the rugged Bradshaw Mountains to the historic mining town of Crown King. The trail features narrow shelf roads carved into mountainsides, steep switchbacks, and creek crossings that increase in difficulty as you climb. The reward at the top is the Crown King Saloon, a rustic bar that has served miners and adventurers since 1898.

    Fun Facts

    #1

    Crown King was a gold and silver mining town established in the 1880s.

    #2

    The Crown King Saloon has been operating since 1898, making it one of Arizona's oldest bars.

    #3

    Cleator, a near-ghost town on the route, was originally called Turkey Creek Station.

    #4

    The road was originally built as a rail route for the Prescott & Eastern Railroad to haul ore.

    Length
    25 miles
    Elevation
    2,000 - 5,800 ft
    Best Season
    Year-round
    Permit
    Not Required
    Mining town destinationShelf roadsSteep switchbacksHistoric ruinsSaloon at top

    🛞 Tires

    required
    33"+ all-terrain tires

    🔧 Suspension

    required
    3"+ lift kit
    Steep grades and rocky terrain

    ⚙️ Drivetrain

    required
    4WD with low range
    recommended
    Rear locker

    🪢 Recovery

    recommended
    Winch

    🛡️ Protection

    required
    Rock sliders
    required
    Skid plates
    1
    I-17 Bumble Bee Exit
    34.0789, -112.1567
    2
    Cleator Ghost Town
    34.1456, -112.2345
    3
    Crown King Saloon
    34.2123, -112.3345

    Closest campgrounds to Back Road to Crown King:

    Straight-line distance. Check the map for drive time.

    Where to Camp

    6 campgrounds within 30 miles of this trail

    Cordes Junction, Arizona|15 mi|25 min
    22 sites
    Season: All Year
    Dewey, Arizona|23 mi|39 min
    317 sites
    Season: All Year
    Peoria, Arizona|25 mi|43 min
    294 sites
    Season: All Year
    Prescott, Arizona|26 mi|45 min
    72 sites
    Season: All Year
    Prescott Valley, Arizona|26 mi|45 min
    153 sites
    Season: All Year
    Wickenburg, Arizona|28 mi|48 min
    32 sites
    Season: All Year

    GPS Coordinates

    34.2123, -112.3345

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    Map of Black Canyon City, AZ

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