Box Canyon - Florence

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4.8/5 (42 reviews)
Florence, Arizona (Pinal County)
Last Updated: 05/26/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Camping Category Icon Camping
Desert Category Icon Desert
Overland Category Icon Overland
Wash Category Icon Wash
Water Category Icon Water

Located northeast of Florence, Box Canyon is a scenic trail that passes through a spectacular, narrow canyon with geological features and bright, colorful vegetation you wouldn't commonly associate with the desert, such as acarosporaceae fungi. Beyond the sheer, towering canyon walls, drivers can find petroglyphs, and historical stagecoach stops making this trail a truly unique Arizona offroad experience. A favorite amongst many offroad enthusiasts, this trail is a popular access point to many other trails within the Florence Junction area.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Box Canyon is a straight-through trail that can be run in either direction and starts out very similar on both ends. Starting from the south, the trail travels along a graded dirt road, passing many camping areas. Slowly the trail enters into a sandy wash as you work your way toward the mouth of the canyon. Once inside the narrow box canyon, the road surface becomes mildly rocky and passes a few optional rock obstacles. The trail can change with each passing rain storm, but generally, any stock 4-wheel drive vehicle is suitable for the entire length of this trail. Box Canyon is a very popular trail, and passing opportunities can be limited in a few short sections. The northern end of the trail leads to numerous other off-road trails where users can spend a whole day and even a full week exploring.

Traveling through Box Canyon does require an Arizona State Trust Land permit.

State Trust Land Permits can be found at the Arizona State Trust Land Department website under recreational permit forms, individual/family permit.

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (42)
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Official Crew
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2100
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 07/23/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This was a fun trail to go on. Nothing difficult and pretty views. There is one rock part that looks a little difficult but it really isn’t. Just place your tires right and you will drive right over it no problem.
Trail Review: Box Canyon - Florence - James Molenaar
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/02/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

First time I ran this trail, one of my new favorites for scenery. Went in as far as the stagecoach stop before turning around and backtracking to exit at Sandman Road. Stock 2020 Rubicon.
Trail Review: Box Canyon - Florence - Taun Deverill
Trail Review: Box Canyon - Florence - Taun Deverill
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1200
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/20/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

First time out here, the narrow canyon walls were great to navigate. I wish they were longer! The entry road is a bit rough in places, highly recommend airing down the moment you get off of the paved road. Trail isn't super difficult, great for beginners. A Bronco Sport Badlands with me had no issues going in to waypoint 14 and back.
Trail Review: Box Canyon - Florence - Jason
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Official Crew
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1000
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/03/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Easy little run with a small amount of water still running through many parts. Enough water has come through this area over the last couple of months to give parts of it a new feel. If you go on a weekday you will not find many people out and about.
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Official Crew
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4900
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/03/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Always a good trail. Limited obstacles but it is always neat driving through the slot canyon. There was a little stream of water most of the way and as we came out of it there was a large snake wandering across the road. The trail seems to have a changed a little from what I recall, likely due to the heavy rains changing things a bit.

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