The Prescott National Forest is guardian of more than 100,000 acres of wilderness represented by 8 wilderness areas. Of these, Granite Mountain Wilderness is the most popular because it is only 20 minutes from Prescott by paved road. Travel is limited to foot or horseback in wilderness areas.Summer visitors seeking relief from the hot weather of the desert come to Prescott National Forest to camp, fish, picnic, hike and ride. The main recreation season generally runs from May to October; however, winter daytime temperatures are moderate and the forest can be enjoyed all year.
The Prescott National Forest was created in 1908 from the Verde and Crown King Forest Reserves with additional acreage being added later from the Tusayan National Forest. The Forest is located about 70 air miles northwest of Phoenix, Arizona, contains approximately 1,237,000 acres, and is composed of two distinct divisions. The eastern portion of the Forest, which forms the headwaters of the Verde River (sections of this river have been designated as a component of the Wild and Scenic River System), is bordered on the north by the Kaibab National Forest, on the east by the Coconino National Forest, and on the south by the Tonto National Forest. The western portion of the Forest, which includes the Bradshaw and Santa Maria mountain ranges, is separated from the eastern portion by a broad patchwork of state, private, and other Federal lands. It forms the southern and western boundaries of the town of Prescott, Arizona, the first capital of the territory of Arizona.
The Mingus Mountain Scenic Road was designated on May 13, 1992, by the Arizona Department of Transportation. This route rises from the expanse of the Prescott Valley abruptly to the heavily vegetated Black Hills. In Yeager Canyon the road is visually and physically enclosed by the vegetation and canyon walls. Descending from the top of Mingus Mountain to the Verde Valley there are spectacular views of the Mogollon Rim, San Francisco Peaks and the red sandstone cliffs of the red rocks. This scenic road makes a smooth transition into the history of the mining area as it meets the Jerome, Clarkdale, Cottonwood Historic Road.