Backway to Crown King

The Backway to Crown King off-road trail is located in Arizona, and dates back to the late 1800s. Originally, the trail was a mining supply route connecting the town of Crown King with Phoenix, and it was used to transport goods and materials to the mining camps in the Bradshaw Mountains.

In the early 1900s, the route was improved to accommodate automobiles, and it became a popular route for tourists and adventurers seeking to explore the rugged terrain of the mountains. Over time, the trail fell into disrepair, and it was largely forgotten until the 1970s, when a group of off-road enthusiasts began to explore and restore the route.

Today, the Backway to Crown King is a popular off-road trail for four-wheel drive vehicles, motorcycles, and mountain bikes. It covers a distance of approximately 30 miles and features steep climbs, narrow passages, and scenic vistas of the surrounding landscape. The trail is maintained by local volunteers and is considered a challenging and rewarding experience for those who seek to explore the rugged beauty of the Bradshaw Mountains.

The conditions of this trail vary widely on the erosion from weather, so it is always recommended to have a high clearance 4x4 vehicle to attempt this trail.  Weather does play a main factor in the conditions of the trail, depending on the erosion that has happened throughout the seasons the trail can at times be considered moderate to difficult.  Winter weather can make this trail impassable.

The trail starts at Cow Creek Road and ends in the unique town of Crown King.  The trail is long and can take several hours to complete, but it's definitely worth the drive!

For more detailed information, check out the trail website in the info section.  To get a feel for the drive, we recommend this video from Brad and the crew at Trail Recon.