| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Miles | 800+ |
| Time | 5-6 days |
| Land | BLM, USDA FS, AZTL, Tribal |
| Elevation | 1,300-10,000 Ft. |
| Stint | Approximately 180 mi. |
Route Description
The Great Western Trail is a 3000+ mile multiple-use trail that travels from Mexico to Canada. This route is the original Arizona section of the Great Western Trail. The route incorporates some of Arizona’s well-known scenic drives, such as Mount Lemon, Pioneer Pass, Four Peaks, Seven Springs Rd, Cherry Rd, and several others.
You can complete this route in sections. There are several opportunities to bail out, fuel up, and get groceries.
Destinations
There isn’t much to see directly along this route, but exploring some side trails will take you to some incredible destinations. There are several abandoned mines, old cabins, and even state parks to visit. I would suggest downloading our POI collection and choosing some destinations.
Among these locations are the historic town of Lochiel and the Marcos de Niza monument, American Flag Ranch, monster cactuses near Mammoth, and several fishing destinations.
Download
This download consists of GEOJson, GPX, and KML files.
Requirements
The route is super easy and suitable for any lightly equipped 4wd truck or SUV. Wet weather conditions may change that. You must be prepared to spend at least three days without services. Extra fuel is not required.
Important information
The Navajo Nation section of this route is currently closed.
Arizona State Parks and Trails is currently developing a management plan for the entire trail. Expect re-routes and changes to this route sometime soon.
Photos
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Author: Kevin Allard
Kevin is an American outdoorsman born and raised in rural Arizona who grew up exploring the Arizona backcountry with his father. Today, he and his son travel to the most remote regions of Arizona, scavenging for the remains of early western pioneers. As a lifelong outdoorsman, Kevin has learned to stick close to his roots while engaging in important advocacy work regarding motorized access to public lands. You can find his work in many local and nationwide publications, including The Western Journal, 4Low Magazine, and his website AZBackroads.com.