Prescott National Forest — Attraction in Prescott

Watch out for parking requirements, if you don't pay prior or at time of parking there's a very good chance of getting a ticket. Make sure you read the voucher in where to place it on your vehicle. The Prescott national forest is a large area of land surrounding Prescott, Prescott valley, Cottonwood, and Sedona. With that said, there's large swaths of private, state, and Bureau of land management (BLM) and all have different right of ways/usage requirements. Most of the paved roads in Prescott national forest are rough and poorly maintained with the exclusion of a few. Roads that are marked not maintained or unincorporated should be treated as 4 x 4 accessible only. That's not to say you can't access them, it's just that you will eventually reach a point when you'll have to either back out or carry on. Rangers are fairly cordial, hard to find, unless your camped for more than a few days. National forest fire also patrols especially in the summer, expect them to stop, make sure your fire is contained in a in ground fire pit otherwise you're subject to fine. Max number of days staying in camping sites is 7 days, then you have to leave and not just set up camp a few sites away. Holidays, weekends, and during the rodeo days are most busy. Expect a menagerie of campers; depending on access and time of year lots of quads, atvs, motorcycles, and the occasional gun shots at dusk. Some are homeless who use the forest as a overnite, others set up tent until chased off by rangers. Weather is nice in spring thru fall, but then again that's why...

Lynx Creek area fun for gold-panning although little water. Have seen bobcat, deer, wild turkeys, skunks, javelina, squirrels, and a bunch of other stuff I just can't remember. There is free camping available in sites past Lynx Lake taking dirt roads on the left around mileposts 4-5 on Walker Road. Dirt roads can get a little hairy so if you have a camper you might want to get a site in the beginning or disconnect to make sure you can get down there with your equipment before attempting. I've traveled down in passenger cars but you might scrape the underside a bit. Camping stays are strictly enforced to 7 days per 30 day period in free sites. There is free unrestricted camping if you continue down walker road to about mile post 7, (cross a little bridge) and make a left on Big Bug Mesa Rd which is a dirt road. Follow 5 miles up and you will see a sign for the beginning of unrestricted camping. There is no water available up there so bring all you need. Road is pretty well maintained with some areas of washboard. Pics are of Lynx...

You probably don't need me to tell you...but I will anyway. Mountain biking around Prescott is AMAZING! The entire city is surrounded by trails. In fact there's literally a 57 mile trail that loops the entire city. There are trails for all skill level but be sure to pick up a map of the local trails and stick to the ones you think you can do. Coincidentally the $1 map you can pick up around town is the best one I've seen. If you're into apps then go with MTB project app for great details, plus it runs in airplane mode so you won't blow your battery searching for signals. Hiking and trail running these same trails is very popular. Plenty to do up there. Camping is all on a first-come basis. Most sites are easily found off the upper portion of Thumb Butte Rd. High clearance vehicles not needed but definitely a plus, the county does not maintain the roads and they are closed in the winter. For any other details, well you'll just have to check it...