Smiley Rock

Jerome, Arizona (Yavapai County)

Last Updated: 07/09/2021
4.4 / 5 ( 8 reviews )
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Status:
Open
Typically Open: Year Round
Length: 8.61 miles
Highest Elevation: 7191 feet
Duration: About 2 hours
Shape of Trail: Connector
Best Direction to Travel: South
Nearest Town: Jerome
Nearest Town w/ Services: Cottonwood
Official Road Name: 9701V, 103, 9710W, 106E, 106D
Management Agency: Prescott National Forest
District: Verde Ranger District

Highlights

Highlight: Smiley Rock
Just outside of Jerome, one of the most famous and ghostly mining towns in all Arizona, sits a rock that never stops smiling. Smiley Rock is one of the more famous off-road trails in the State and for good reason. The drive is challenging, but not overly difficult and provides inspiring scenery as you travel along the south edge of the Woodchute Wilderness Area inside the cool and shaded Martin Canyon. The main attraction is the rock with a smile set in stone. It sits there smiling at you and this is the type of trail in which you could honestly smile back.

Video

Route Information

Technical Rating

( DIFFICULT )

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Waypoints

1. Trailhead (0 mi)
As you come in from Forest Service Road 318A and reach the power lines turn southeast onto the well-marked road numbered 9701V towards an APS electrical substation.

Directions to Trailhead

Starting Point: Cottonwood, Arizona

From State Route 260 turn south onto State Route 89A. Follow 89A to Jerome. Turn left on Main Street which turns into West Jerome-Perkinsville Road. Travel approximately 7.7 miles to Forest Service Road 318A. Turn left/south and travel the shelf road for 6.7 miles to Forest Service Road 9701V.

Camping

Dispersed
Designated

Trail Reviews (13)

Questions & Answers (4)

Q: Thinking of trying this trail . Have a 2020 TRD PRO Tacoma, small lift, 285 tires. Just wondering if the trail is suitable etc. Noticed some FJ Crusiers on your video. Were these modified ? Thanks, Chris
–Chris Colvill (07/28/2020)
–Todd (07/29/2020)
Q: Does this actually need a permit? I've spoken with a few who did it in the last 2 months or so and no permit was required
–David (06/12/2020)
–Todd (06/12/2020)
Q: Can I get to the starting point of this trail coming from Prescott?
–Jason Barton (05/07/2019)
–Todd (05/08/2019)
Q: Can a Honda Pioneer 500 successfully follow this trail?
–GEORGE FIGURSKI (04/11/2019)
–Todd (04/11/2019)

Writer Information

Todd

Founder
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Todd is an avid wheeler who loves to explore new trails whenever and wherever he can. They say necessity is the mother of all invention and that holds true for Todd. His want and desire to find passable trails and new nooks and crannies of the Great American West to explore were his reasons behind starting Trailsoffroad.com. On any given weekend you can find Todd on some obscure 4x4 trail or using his legs to hike to an alpine lake.
For individual use only, not to be shared.

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