Upper Burro Creek Wilderness

Arizona

The 27,440-acre Upper Burro Creek Wilderness is located in Yavapai and Mohave counties in Arizona, 60 miles west of Prescott and 60 miles southeast of Kingman. The small mining town of Bagdad is located 10 miles southeast of the wilderness.

This wilderness lies along the upper reaches of Burro Creek, a perennial stream and one of the few streams in Arizona to flow relatively undisturbed into the lower desert. Nine miles of Burro Creek lie within the wilderness. In this area, Burro Creek passes through incised bedrock where it runs deep, creating clear blue pools connected by small waterfalls. In other areas, the creek has backed up into long, marshy pools ringed with young trees and other water-loving vegetation.

Away from the stream corridor, the wilderness preserves an expanse of basalt mesas and the desert grassland found on their rolling upland surfaces. Negro Ed, a huge and colorful butte rising far above its surroundings, is one of the many beautiful natural features of the wilderness.

Upper Burro Creek Wilderness offers outstanding recreation opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping, sightseeing, hunting, rock collecting, and horseback riding. Swimming, birdwatching, and photography are special attractions all along the stream corridor.

Know Before You Go

A four-wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended to gain access to this wilderness.
Several access roads to this wilderness have a high clay component to them. Following precipitation events, these roads can be impassable for a period of time
No formal hiking trails exist within this area. Considerable “bush-whacking” may be necessary to negotiate the Burro Creek corridor or areas of chaparral brush.
The summer climate in this area is harsh, with temperatures in the daytime often exceeding 100 degrees. Temperatures are more moderate between October 1 and April 30th.
With the exception of the Burro Creek Canyon, water is scarce within this wilderness unit, and where found, must always be purified.
Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities.
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.
Some lands around and within the wilderness are not federally administered. Please respect the property rights of the owners and do not cross or use these lands without their permission.