Senator Highway

This old mining route winds 50 miles through the Bradshaw Mountains, connecting Prescott to the historic mining town of Crown King via some genuinely challenging terrain. Built to serve the mines around Senator Mine and Bumble Bee, the road passes several ghost towns including Cleator and Cordes, with remnants of Arizona’s gold rush days scattered along the route. The middle sections through Horsethief Basin offer some of the most technical driving, with rocky climbs, narrow shelf roads, and creek crossings that can turn ugly during monsoon season.

This isn’t a Sunday cruise — you’ll need solid 4WD capability and recovery gear for the rougher sections, especially between Cleator and Crown King. The route can be impassable during winter snow or heavy rains, so spring through fall is your window. No permits required, but fuel up in Prescott and carry extra water. Crown King offers cold beer and a glimpse of mining history, while the journey itself delivers classic Arizona backcountry: rugged mountains, mining relics, and the kind of challenging driving that separates the weekend warriors from the real deal.