Cottonwood Canyon Road

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Status:	Open
Typically Open:	Year Round
Permit Information:	Permit Required - Click Here
Length:	8.92 miles
Highest Elevation:	feet
Duration:	About 30 minutes
Shape of Trail:	Straight Through
Best Direction to Travel:	East
Nearest Town:	Florence
Nearest Town w/ Services:	Florence
Official Road Name:	Cottonwood Canyon Road
Management Agency:	Arizona State Trust Department and Gila District Bureau of Lang Management
District:	Gila Ranger District

Highlights

Cottonwood Canyon Road serves as one of the entrances to a very popular OHV area commonly referred to as Florence Junction. This expansive area is littered with old mining claims, mine tailings, hieroglyphic writings, mine shafts, and beautiful scenic views.

Video

Route Information

Technical Rating

( MODERATE )

Waypoints

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

The staging area at the trailhead is very large and is the usual spot to air down tires, disconnect sway bars, and unload vehicles on trailers. On busy weekends it can be quite congested. Depending on weather conditions the staging area can be muddy and rutted or very dusty. Please Tread Lightly and park responsibly so others may use the staging area. Locally, the staging area is commonly referred to as, "Cottonwood," or "The flagpole."

Directions to Trailhead

Access to the trailhead is approximately 22 miles South of Apache Junction, Az. The trailhead can be found by traveling east on US60 to the intersection with Highway 79, at exit 212. Exit the US60 and travel south 5.5 miles to the trail head, turn left. From Florence Junction, Az travel 10 miles North on Highway 79 to the trail head, turn right. The trailhead is at mile marker 145.

Camping

Dispersed

Trail Reviews (8)

Questions & Answers (3)

Q: I'm curious if you take this trail up and intersect with mineral mountain road, if you can continue on Mineral Mountain road going north back towards the freeway system as one continuous run. That is certainly possible, correct? Planning a route for tomorrow morning with some friends. Any answer asap would be awesome!

–Jon Sauber (07/17/2021)

–Bobby Nelson (07/17/2021)

Q: What day is this run?

–Maryann Jerry (12/16/2018)

–Chad Chaney (12/17/2018)

Q: After leaving the petroglyph site, I noticed all sorts of private property signs and a padlocked gate. Are you sure Cottonwood Canyon Road is open to the public?

–Tom Culver (01/14/2017)

–Chad Chaney (01/14/2017)

Writer Information

Bobby Nelson

Mapping Crew - Arizona

While living in the Midwest, I developed a passion for searching out new trails and hidden spots. That passion continues to this day in the beautiful southwestern United States. My wife and I are full-time RVers who travel from region to region, exploring every nook and cranny we can find. While we're getting to know the locals, we gain insight into these areas then pass on that knowledge to our subscribers. We truly enjoy traversing long, beautiful back-country routes with epic campsites, but we equally enjoy pushing the limits on challenging rock crawling trails. Our rig was built to do everything, and that's what we hope to share with our subscribers. Please visit our website https://www.xploremor.net to follow us and for opportunities to join us on our adventures. You can also view our vast video library on YouTube. Xploremor YouTube

Florence, Arizona (Pinal County)