Mingus Mountain Trail

The old mining road that snakes up Mingus Mountain’s eastern slopes delivers some of the finest panoramic views in central Arizona, passing through the ghost mining camps that fed Jerome’s legendary copper boom. The rocky, rutted track climbs from Cottonwood through pinyon-juniper country to the 7,815-foot summit, with technical switchbacks around Woodchute Wilderness and sweeping vistas across the Verde Valley to Sedona’s red rock spires.

This moderate trail demands high-clearance 4WD for the steeper pitches and loose rock sections, especially the final push to the summit communication towers. Best tackled April through October when snow doesn’t block the upper elevations. No permits required, and dispersed camping is legal along most of the route. Pack plenty of water—the only reliable source is back in Cottonwood. What you get is some of the most dramatic scenery in Arizona without the Sedona crowds, plus a real taste of the mining history that built this corner of the state.