Bouse Fisherman Road
Forgotten mining route across the Plomosa Mountains
This forgotten piece of old Arizona runs 30 miles from the ghost town of Bouse west across the Plomosa Mountains to the Colorado River near Parker. Originally a supply route for river steamboat landings in the 1800s, the track passes dozens of abandoned mine shafts and prospect holes where hopeful miners chased gold and silver veins through some of the most desolate country in the Sonoran Desert. The climb over Bouse Wash involves loose rock and steep grades that can challenge traction control systems.
Stock high-clearance vehicles can handle most of the route, but the mountain crossing requires attention and momentum. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 115°F, making this a fall-through-spring adventure. Carry extra water, fuel, and basic recovery gear—cell service is nonexistent and the nearest help is hours away. The reward is genuine solitude in classic Arizona mining country, with excellent dispersed camping spots and some of the darkest night skies in the Southwest.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 30 mi / 48.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2800 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Parker, Arizona |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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