Granite Gardens Trails is a network of trails with steep ups and downs. It mixes trail running, hiking, and bouldering with amazing views of the Granite Dells.

Elevation: 5,046’ ft (low) – 5,175’ ft (high)
Length: 1.5 mi
Skill Level: Advanced
Directions: Google Map Driving Directions

Happy Trail Running / Bouldering :)

The Jan Alfano Trail is a part of a network of trails in northwest Prescott. The Jan Alfano Trail is a short switchback single track trail that connects to part of the larger Prescott Circle Trail. This trail is a large double track that runs along a narrow mesa. The Prescott Circle Trail connects to the Embry Riddle Trail which is another switchback track trail that drops down off the mesa under Willow Lake Road to connect to the Willow Lake Trails.

The network of trails provide amazing views of Granite Mountain, Thumb Butte, Granite Dells, and Willow Lake.

Elevation: 5120’ (low) – 5260’ (high)
Length: 4.5 miles round trip
Skill Level: Intermediate
Directions: Google Map Driving Directions

Happy Trail Running :)

The Vista Park Trails System is a network of trails in the Prescott Lakes Community of northern Prescott. The trails are comprised of the Vista Trail, Panorama Trail, and Petroglyph Trail. The trails are very technical to run with sharp rocks and large boulders as you navigate to the top of the mesa.

The Vista Trail is a 6 ft wide trail which connects to the Panorama Trail. Once you reach the Panorama Trail it is a single track trail that climbs steadily up towards a mesa. The trail then intersects Solstice Dr, which is a short steep road climb that connects to the Petroglyph Trail. The Petroglyph Trail climbs the remainder of the way to the mesa top, where you can find unprecedented views of northern Prescott and a petroglyph site.

Elevation: 5200’ (low) – 5470’ (high)
Length: 2.5 miles round trip
Skill Level: Advanced
Directions: Downtown Prescott to Vista Park

Happy Trail Running :)

The Peavine trail was formerly a railway path built by the Santa Fe Railway in 1893 that was converted to the Prescott Peavine National Recreation Trail. The trail has amazing views of Watson Lake and Granite Dells, as well as, wildlife viewing along the entire trail.

The trail is flat with smooth soft dirt with very few large rocks. A great trail for doing longer faster training runs.

Elevation: 5160’ (low) – 5220’ (high)
Length: 12 miles round trip
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced (running round trip)

Happy Trail Running :)

The Rancho Vista Trail is a beautiful technically challenging trail to run in southwest Prescott. The trail starts at around 5600 feet and makes a very steep accent to over 6000 feet in just under .5 miles. The Rancho Vista Trail climbs over a series of switchback trails that take you above the tree line to reveal beautiful majestic views of all of Prescott and Bradshaw mountain range.

I ran about 1.5 miles up which took me into the Prescott National forest trails, which go on for miles. The trail is so steep in parts that you are doing a slow trot or fast hike, but running back down was amazingly fast and fun, you feel like an alpine skier jumping and sliding down the mountain.

Elevation: 5680’ (low) – 6052’ (high)
Length: .6 miles (one way) + Prescott National forest trails
Skill Level: Advanced
Directions: Google Maps: Rancho Vista Trail

Happy Trail Running :)

The Watson Lake Loop Trail circles Watson lake through a network of connecting trail segments. The Northshore trail covers rocky steep terrain, the Over the Hill trail covers rocky and slightly more moderate terrain, and the Peavine and Lower Granite Creek Trail are flatter softer trails.

The Watson Lake Loop Trail is an amazing and challenging trail run. I started the loop at the southern part of the lake on the Lakeshore segment of the trail which is a beautiful wooded section of the trail. The trail then moves though the network of trails that traverse the large granite boulders of the Dells. This is where the trail becomes very challenging as you climb and jump across rocks as you make your accent around the northern part of Watson Lake.

Elevation: 5075’ (low) – 5237’ (high)
Length: 4.79 miles
Skill Level: Advanced

Happy Trail Running :)

The Willow Lake Loop Trail consists of great sweeping views, technical rock hopping, steep steps, and prolific bird watching. Most of the trail is above the high water mark, but the East Bay Trail segment is not accessible at high water.

Most of the Willow Lake Trail is flat single track until you reach the Red Bridge Loops segment; which has very technical rock hopping and steep steps. Due to the recent monsoon rains the East Bay Trail segment was beautiful with large overgrown grass and amazing wild sunflowers.

Elevation: 5073’ (low) – 5225’ (high)
Length: 5.7 miles
Skill Level: Intermediate – Advanced

Happy Trail Running :)

The Pioneer Park Trails are a series of color-coded trails ranging in length form 1.68 miles to 6.08 that provide amazing views of Granite Mountain and the Granite Dells. The network of trails are mostly flat that traverse over large grass covered hills. The Pioneer Park Trails have great accessibility which make them very popular trails for hikers, runners, and mountain bikers.

Elevation: 5220’ (low) – 5480’ (high)
Length: 9 miles
Skill Level: Intermediate

Happy Trail Running :)

The Butte Creek Trail starts at Stricklin Forest Park on Sherwood Drive. This trail parallels Butte Creek, westbound to the Prescott National Forest, and runs partially through a scenic canyon. The City portion is 1.3 miles, but the trail connects into the larger trail system of the Prescott National Forest.

The trail is a very technical trail run with large boulders and sharp rocks to navigate as you make your accent though the canyon toward the Prescott National Forest. The trail was a bit overgrown due to the recent monsoon rails and a rattle snake warned me I was coming to close in Prescott National Forest section of the trail, so watch your steps!

Elevation: 5508’ (low) – 5788’ (high)
Length: 2.6 miles (round trip)
Skill Level: Advanced

Happy Trail Running :-)

Acker Park is a hidden jewel in the heart of Prescott, located 5 blocks from the historic downtown courthouse plaza. This open space park consists of approximately 80 acres of natural parkland.

The trails are fairly flat with softer soil that makes the trail easier and fast. The Acker Park Trails are the most accessible of the Mile-High Trail System from the city of Prescott. With makes these trails a great daily quick trail run.

Elevation: 5480’ (low) – 5630’ (high)
Length: 1.5 mi.
Skill Level: Intermediate

Happy Trail Running :-)

Next up on my trail running exploration of Prescott was the Centennial Trail. This trail was built in 2012 in recognition to the 100th birthdate of the State of Arizona. The Centennial Trail meanders through the boulders and canyons, with panoramic views of the City of Prescott, Rodeo Grounds, Thumb Butte, and Granite Mountain. Petroglyphs are a feature of the trail.

This trail is another very technical trail that has been cut as a narrow corridor, snaking it’s way through the maze of giant boulders in a deeply fractured landscape. Once you get relaxed and comfortable with the trail you can run it fairly quickly since it increases and decreases elevation throughout the entire route.

Elevation: 5447’ (low) – 5729’ (high)
Length: 2.0 mi.
Skill Level: Advanced

I started my trail running exploration of the Prescott Mile-High Trail System with the Constellation Trails. The trail presents beautiful rock formations and scrub oak passageways. It is very technical with large boulders to navigate as well as sharp rocks along the trail.

Elevation: 5016’ (low) – 5229’ (high)
Length: 2.74 mi.
Skill Level: Advanced

Happy Trail Running :-)