This stunning lake is just outside of Prescott. The scenery is spectacular, with amazing rock…read moreformations around and in the lake. There are several hiking trails around it. There is some boating/kayaking allowed. Boat ramps, some playground equipment, picnic tables. It costs to get in, but you can buy an annual pass which gets you into other parks in the area. We love coming here when we're in the area.

Beautiful trail with lots of pathways and cool scenery. Also can get a really nice view of the lake…read moreand hear the ducks. Would for sure recommend checking this trail out if you can and just enjoy the scenery.

This is a decent hiking spot. While it does have a ton of space, it still is kind of small too and…read moregoes around in a quick circle. The biggest complaint I have is needing to pay for parking because it's not that big of a hiking trail or spot. But it can still give you a decent view of the scenery as well as see beautiful rock formations. Will also say that the spot where the memorial for where the constellation crashed is touching. However, again this is not the best hiking spot.

The Constellation trail is a great local hiking area with a series of trails through the north end…read moreof the granite dells outcropping. So if you're looking for a short easy one to three hour walk this is a great place to visit. See my older review about the naming of this park dedicated to the Navy Constellation which crashed here. There is ample parking at the trailhead and restrooms. Make sure to bring your water though because it can be hot in the summer. However their are great trees to provide rest areas. It is full of birds and wildlife.

There are tons of great hikes in this National Forest Service operated recreational area plus a…read morepretty small lake for fishing and a campground. We hiked a loop trail of the Willow trail (#347), the Mint Wash trail (#345) and 351, parking at the Wekuvde picnic area. On a Monday in September we only saw three other people on the trail until we came to Granite Basin Lake where there was one large group and a couple small groups picnicking. The Willow trail is beautiful, traversing gentle up and down areas of pine woodlands with 180 degree views west, north and east and has partial shade. The post monsoon wildflowers were in full bloom. The route back along Mint Wash was also lovely with 5 or 6 creek crossings, boulders, flowers and Granite Mountain views. The is a $5 parking fee for day use, or it is free with an America the Beautiful National Park pass.

OK. This is a super short and super easy hike. It is slightly challenging if you take the direct…read moreroute straight up. Going this direction, it is paved all the way to the base of the rock formation forming the top. Going this direction is also steeper than going the opposite direction (CCW). From here, you're climbing, not hiking. But that part is pretty easy too...just be careful and stay within your limits. Perigrin falcons nest on the top rock section and this section does have a nesting closure period which I believe is summer through fall...but you should research the exact range as I'm not sure. If you keep your eyes open, you can see them most times of the year...but they're fast! You can also get to the base of the rock section forming the top, by a dirt path. The grade is easier, but the path there is longer. You'll occasionally see mountain bikes on this path, so heads up. Regardless of which path you use to get to the top, keep your eyes open (& ears a listening) for rattlesnake. I've seen them multiple times hiking this area. I've also seen numerous hikers that let their dogs run free (against park rule). It would not be a good day for your dog if it gets bitten.

6 words that say it all: This hike will kick your butt! lol My son and I hiked this around…read morewintertime when it was still cold outside, I paid the $5 parking fee and we soon began our walk up the steep hill. If you have bad knees like I do, walking up is easier than down, my knees hurt so bad every step I took walking down because it was such a long steep down. I was able to make it to the top with my 7-year-old, surprisingly he enjoyed it all. Depending on your viewpoint, I saw someone had just arrived in the parking lot when we were getting ready to leave, thought it'd be nice to just give him my ticket so he could save $5. We were only there for like 1.5 hours. Tip: Also, if you just want to drive by it and take a nice mini scenic drive(because you're like me and you're curious to know what else is up that road..), keep driving on the road past the paid parking and you'll notice people will park on the side of the road and walk the more flat areas, there are further trails you'll notice. I drove the whole thing till it takes you to some nice houses that seem like they're in the middle of nowhere, more beautiful and all the high trees, you drive through the houses in a loop which will lead you back on the same road to head back into town. You'll see it, or just view it on your maps. I've driven it several times, absolutely beautiful views on this mini scenic drive, probably about 15-20 min drive.

This hiking spot is pretty good. It has lots of beautiful scenery and rock formations. If you can…read morefollow the trail using the provided white dots you can get a beautiful view of the damage and listen to the water as it falls. Just be careful of high grass as well as snakes. There could be some if you're not careful. The biggest problem otherwise is the parking lot. It's very small and almost always full. There's no spot then just find another spot.

Great short hike with shade on half the trail along the stream. Nice easy hike through the rocks…read moretoo.

We drove up a very bumpy and road to visit Mingus Lake and various spots along the way, as well as…read morefurther hop into the forest. It is a beautiful area and we would like to go back to do some hiking sometime. Toward the top is an area used for take off with hang gliding. No one was doing it while we were there, but that would also be fun to see sometime. There are wonderful views from there as well. If you're a camper, there were some nice looking campgrounds. It is an area worth doing some more exploring.

Mingus Mountain is off highway 89A between Cottonwood and Prescott Valley. This scenic route…read more overlooks Verde Valley. During heavy rain or snow storm this highway is a white knuckle of a ride as snow can pile up heavily. The kiddos love to go sledding here. In fact, there were enough snow to make our snow fort, or what the little ones call igloos. Then, after each frozen shield's erect, snow dodge ball commence...no mercy. Snow in side the jackets, ears, nose and anywhere with a crevice. This is the time when boys turn into men and the girls into women. No crying allowed Fun times!

On this visit we took trail 308 from the parking lot but turned right this time on Mint Creek wash…read moretrail and after about 1/2 mile saw petroglyphs and hiked down to the creek which was flowing nicely and had a few small pools.

This is a beautiful hiking spot with plenty of trails and nice scenery. The views of the mountains…read moreand the rock formations are extremely beautiful. What is also really nice is since this trail is near most of the ranches and farm land, there are ranchers and farmers who take their horses through here to help get them air and train them as well as practice with them too. What I really like about this trail is how there are parts that seem to show the remains of maybe where ranches maybe used to be. The fences and the feeding trays for livestock are still here and it's nice to see. And then there is the distance as well as time it could take to complete certain trails too. So be careful you don't get lost or miss the exit and end up looping around in circles. I would still check out this trail but watch your step as the horses may leave feces on the trail.

This is a good spot to hike and has a great view of the lake. There's always lot of beautiful…read morescenery here to see from the rocks, the lake, the trees etc. It is such a good spot to go to when you need air or just a taste of fresh air and quiet.

Here's my review in a nutshell from August 30, 2025. The Lake is gone. There was a malfunction in…read moretheir valves and the lake is dried up.

This easy to moderate 2 mile trail takes you up and down through boulders with views in all…read moredirections, a variety of plant life providing intermittent shade especially in the early hours, and an end point at some petroglyphs. There are two parking spots. For a longer walk with some city views, park at the small dirt lot on the north side of Westridge Dr just west of Gail Gardner Way. Follow the signed trail a few hundred yards west along the road to where you head north away from the road and across a wooden bridge. After the monsoon rains, a variety of flowers can be seen especially in the first section. Midway along the trail you will be just below an area of housing development which may have some construction noise, but it was very minimal on the Monday that we went. The second parking lot which is further up and closer to the petroglyphs is at 951 Downer Trail. There are some switchbacks climbing up hill towards the end of the trail where you will be rewarded with a large boulder that has a variety of petroglyphs. Just before this signature boulder is another boulder with a few additional petroglyphs. You cannot climb to the very top, so bring your telephoto lens if you want sharp closeups, though I got a decent shot with just an iPhone. This trail has minimal shade mid day, so start early or hike on a cool day.