Bradshaw Road to Crown King
Mining road to a mile-high Arizona saloon.
The Bradshaw Road is the original supply route into the Crown King mining district, and it hasn’t been civilized much since the last mule came through. Starting near Cordes Junction off I-17, the route pushes northeast into the Bradshaw Mountains through saguaro desert, scrub oak, and ponderosa pine as you climb nearly 4,000 vertical feet. Key waypoints include the Poland Junction intersection at the old Poland Mine, the tight switchbacks above Horsethief Basin Reservoir, and the final rocky shelf road shelf into Crown King at 5,850 feet. The town itself has a working saloon, a general store, and a reputation for welcoming dusty rigs with cold beer.
This is a high-clearance 4×4 route — rock shelves and loose shale make low-range mandatory in multiple sections. A stock Jeep or truck with a lift handles it fine, but you’ll want skid plate protection for the undercarriage. Spring and fall are the sweet spots; summer monsoons make portions impassable and winter ice on the upper road can be savage. No permits needed, dispersed camping is available in Prescott National Forest along the way. Fuel up in Mayer or Cordes Junction before you leave the pavement — Crown King has no gas. The payoff is real: a mining-era ghost town that’s still barely alive and views that stretch to Four Peaks.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 3-5 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5850 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4x4 |
| Nearest town | Mayer, AZ |
| Land manager | Prescott National Forest / USDA Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run Bradshaw Road without lockers?
A stock high-clearance 4x4 with good all-terrain tires can get through, but lockers or a limited-slip will save you on the loose, rocky shelf sections. Low-range is mandatory — this isn't a high-clearance-only trail, it's a technical one.
When is Bradshaw Road closed or worst to drive?
Summer monsoons (July–August) turn sections into slick mud and can wash out crossings fast — not worth the gamble. Snow can close it in winter. Stick to March–May or September–November for the best conditions.
Do I need a permit or pass to drive Bradshaw Road?
No permit required to drive the trail itself, but you're in Prescott National Forest, so a Tonto/Prescott National Forest Adventure Pass is needed if you park and camp. No fee to transit the road.
What's the hardest section and what should I expect?
The steepest, rockiest shelf road sections in the upper Bradshaw Mountains are where rigs get stuck — loose rock, narrow ledges, and significant drop-offs with limited room to recover. One bad line and you're high-centered or worse; don't run it without a spotter for the gnarly bits.
Is there water or gas available along the trail, and how far is the nearest fuel from Crown King?
There are seasonal water crossings on the trail but no potable water sources — bring everything you need. Crown King has a general store with limited supplies but no gas station; fuel up in Mayer or Cordes Junction before you head in.
Trail track
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