High cool peaks of the Bradshaw Mountains contrast sharply with the sun-baked Sonoran Desert below. In between, desert grasslands, chaparral, canyon hardwoods, pinion and juniper woodlands, and vast ponderosa pine forests offer outstanding variety for Prescott National Forest visitors. Recreation activities are equally diverse. The outstanding climate allows year-round opportunities for camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, driving for pleasure, nature photography, mountain climbing, hiking, and horseback riding. Check at any forest office for information on these and many other activities.
Mild climate allows the trails to be enjoyed year-round.
However, it is recommended that adequate water be a high priority when planning a hiking trip since natural water sources are scarce and undependable throughout most of the forest. Wilderness There are eight separate areas, comprising almost 116,000 acres, that are officially designated as wilderness on the Prescott National Forest. From the upper Sonoran desert of Castle Creek Wilderness, to the tall cool pines of Pine Mountain Wilderness, to the breathtaking red rocks of Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, these areas represent a very significant resource. Opportunities for hiking and camping are numerous in each wilderness area. Visitors seek out these areas for quiet solitude and naturalness, probably the most important characteristics for a wilderness.