Hiking in Gorgeous Prescott, Arizona: Thumb Butte Trail #33
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Prescott is a gorgeous central Arizona city known for its’ wonderful recreational activities. Biking and hiking trails can be enjoyed throughout the city. The million plus acre Prescott National Forest offers over 450 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Because of the mild 4 season climate, you can use the trails most of the year, unlike Phoenix which tops 100 degrees for months on end.
I love taking daytrips here from Flagstaff as the mountain scenery is gorgeous and the temps perfect for hiking. My favorite place to hike is within the national forest which tends to attract less tourists than other regional hotspots like Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon.
When planning a hiking trip here, I can expect peace and quiet and gorgeous high desert scenery. I love hiking in Flagstaff, but the trails in Prescott are a bit more isolated and the scenery is a bit different. In this guide, I will cover my experience hiking Thumb Butte #33. We have hiked this trail a few times and fortunately ran into few crowds despite it being one of the more popular picks in the forest.
A moderate trek to an amazing overlook
I like that I can work up a sweat here almost any time of the year. Summer tems can get quite hot (into the 90’s), but mornings are considerably cooler at 5400 feet. Also, winter highs average in the 50’s making daytime hikes attractive when it is often still snowing in Flagstaff.
Thumb Butte is a 2 mile challenge which involves a steady climb up to a volcanic plug. This hike involves 600 feet of elevation gain so it is definitely a challenge. The first mile or so is almost entirely uphill.
Fortunately, there are so many wonderful mountain views along the way to keep you motivated all along. I find the scenery along this trek very relaxing and rustic. It’s just 10 minutes from downtown too, so really easily accessible to any tourists trying to limit the driving. I also prefer to hike close to town because we already have to drive over an hour just to get here.
And, if you need to take a break, there are handy benches where you can rest for a while. While you recover, you can enjoy the beautiful mountain vistas. What a place to take a break!
I like that I get to enjoy both wooded and desert plant scenery on this trail. You will get to see an interesting mix of plant life including cactus, ponderosa pine, scrub oak, manzanita, and yucca. This is the great thing about hiking at high elevation – the plant life is so diverse.
From ponderosa pines to prickly pears!
There are some nice mountain vistas when you arrive at the summit. Enjoy the view for a bit before making the downhill trek.
The downhill trek (which begins down a gravel road) is easier on your legs and lungs. That being said, I find it difficult to navigate down gravel paths as it can be slippery. This is where a quality hiking stick and/or good hiking shoes come in handy. I am someone who actually prefers hiking uphill as navigating downhill requires you to focus more. One wrong step and you could go tumbling. Take your time and take small steps!
On the bright side, the scenery is more wooded this way and quite peaceful. Despite this being one of the more popular hikes, it’s a really pretty place where you feel isolated from modern society.There is absolutely no traffic noise, and therefore, the journey becomes a peaceful trek into nature.
On the descent back to the start, you can give your heart time to recover, your legs a break, and your eyes the opportunity to enjoy the scenery. Sometimes when we are concentrating on getting to the top, we don’t look around enough.
Why add this trail to your bucket list?
There are many fantastic trails to explore within this national forest. If you are limited on time and in relatively good shape, this short trek offers breathtaking views and an awesome workout. The trail is easy to follow and offers one of the most spectacular views in town – you really can’t go wrong picking this hike.
Although the climb up is a bit tough, beginning hikers should still be ok in my opinions as there are places to rest, including several benches and scenic overlooks along the way. Just take your time and stop every so often to check out the views. Believe me, you will want to get out your camera!
Helpful tips for your hike
- Wear plenty of sunblock. There isn’t much shade, and at higher altitudes, you are more likely to burn.
- Bring with plenty of water. A camelbak works great for the dry, desert climate.
- Wear a GPS watch so you can track your mileage. Going uphill is much easier when you know the ending point!
- Wear sunglasses. Again, there isn’t much shade.
- Wear proper hiking shoes. The return portion of the trail can be a bit slippery at points.
- Bring a hiking stick. It is very helpful in helping you gain traction. It also serves as protection against mountain lions.
- Watch out for wildlife. Both mountain lions and various snakes can be spotted at any time.
- Always pack a backpack with essential hiking supplies such as light snacks, water, a fully charged cell phone, first aid kit, etc.
There is a lot more to do in this great little city. I recommend taking a look at my tourist guide for a few ideas. I have tried to incorporate a mix of urban and recreational activities to suit everyone’s personal interests.
Address & Parking Info
Parking is located at: 2600 Thumb Butte Rd. There is a $5 fee. Be on the lookout for free days throughout the year. Wednesdays are always free! You can learn more about this trail on the Forest Service website.
