The Beautiful Peavine National Recreational Trail in Prescott, AZ
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In Prescott, a beautiful small city in central Arizona, you will find one of the few remaining rail trails in the state. The Peavine National Recreational Trail follows the old Santa Fe, Prescott, & Phoenix Railway. A rail trail is basically a former railroad route which is now used for public recreation. I have visited a lot of these all over the country, especially when I lived in Massachusetts as there a lot of great options in New England.
While Arizona is an amazing place for hiking, paved biking trails are harder to come by. I love living in Flagstaff but I often plan daytrips in other areas of the state to enjoy each town’s unique amenities. Prescott is a fairly regular daytrip for Mike and I as it is a hour and a half drive and there are a lot of interesting things we can’t find in our current home.
One of our favorite attractions is this beautiful 5.5 mile recreational path which is lined with fabulous views of Watson Lake and the Granite Dells. The Granite Dells are odd looking granite boulders which are more than a billion years old. They really create a striking backdrop on this trail; I would say this is one of the more scenic and interesting paths I’ve biked in a long time.
An easy & smooth ride
The path is pretty smooth as there are no hills, making it a great option for biking, walking, or even horseback riding. It’s so beautifully maintained and I haven’t noticed any litter. It is also very wide, so if anyone needs to pass you it shouldn’t be a problem. I can’t stand those paths where you have to keep moving over every second. For most of this ride, Mike and I can bike side by side with no problem.
If you need to take a break, there are several places along the way to hop off your bike and simply take in the gorgeous scenery. We usually do not see much traffic here, although that could be because we are early risers and get out here fairly early even with the 1.5 hour drive from Flagstaff.
Stunning rock formations: what a scenic ride!
This trail is so peaceful and scenic and rustic; it just screams I am in the West. You will hear no traffic noise along the way. About half of the trail is completely desolate. We typically see a handful of people on the portion closest to the city, however, in the other direction the traffic tends to thin out. If you come early enough in the morning, you may even see some wildlife.
The journey is really beautiful. At many points, you will want to get out your camera to photograph the beautiful rock formations and lake views.
I could take pictures all day, but it’s hard to stop a million times while biking. Nevertheless, I find myself pulling over frequently to capture some photos of the stunning rock formations. As someone who grew up in the city (Chicago), all these gorgeous trails out here never fail to impress me.
This is beautiful Watson Lake, one of 4 major lakes in the area. Although swimming is prohibited here, you can fish, kayak, and hike here. You can find more info on the official city website.
Overall, this trail is best suited for biking as it will not be much of a challenge for hikers. It’s great if you want to get in a casual bike ride, but I am sure avid hikers would prefer more challenging terrain. The beautiful Prescott National Forest is a better choice for hikers (I love the Thumb Butte trail).
I am also confident that long distance runners will also appreciate the flat terrain, wonderful views, and perfect distance. If I lived in the area, this would likely be my top training area. It’s easy to add in more mileage weekly with views like these! With scenery like this, it’s hard to not stay motivated to complete the entire journey!
Why you should check out this trail
I’ve done a lot of exploring in and around the city since moving to nearby Northern Arizona. This trail is by far my favorite attraction in the city. It’s a great way to get out there and explore the area without spending too much money (asides from a small parking fee).This is a beautiful 4 season city and more than half of the year conditions are ideal for any type of outdoor exercise.
You will get in a great workout without totally burning yourself out. Immerse yourself in nature, absorb the fresh sunshine, enjoy the scenic views, and get in a moderate workout. What a perfect way to explore a beautiful Southwestern city! After your ride, you can check out a few of the activities on my must-do list – you will find a great Main St., historic Whiskey Row, and lots of great hikes to explore in the national forest.
Things to know:
- Wild Iris is a great local coffeehouse to enjoy a drink & pastry pre-ride. I love the patio & French press!
- Be aware that there is not much shade on this trail, so if you visit during the summer season it would be best to plan your ride as early in the morning as possible. The sun gets hotter as the day goes on.
- Desert conditions are dry and rough. The elevation is just over 5000 feet so much lower than the 7000 ft I am used to in Flagstaff, but it may be a challenge for those coming from low elevation areas. Be sure to carry lots of water (I prefer a camelbak for easy access), replenish electrolytes, and use plenty of sunscreen.
- Restrooms are available at the parking lot, however, nowhere else on the trail so plan your ride accordingly.
Check out more of my favorite mountain biking paths throughout the US
Address:
Free parking is available at Hwy 89A at Side Road or pay the $2 parking fee at the trailhead off of the Prescott Lakes Parkway (this is where the restrooms and picnic tables are located).
