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View Trail Map in AppNo permits or fees are required to access or park at the trailheads. The Gloriana Trailhead is located off Interstate 17 at Exit 244 (gated access), while the Black Canyon City Trailhead is located further south near Black Canyon City. High-clearance vehicles are recommended to access the Gloriana Trailhead due to rough, unpaved access roads.
There is no potable water or shade along the trail, so visitors must carry all necessary water and sun protection. Dispersed camping is permitted on surrounding Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, subject to standard BLM regulations. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the trail.
Path Type
Point to Point
This 12.2-mile point-to-point segment of the Black Canyon Trail (BCT) winds south from the Gloriana Trailhead to the Black Canyon City Trailhead. Traversing a classic Sonoran Desert landscape, the non-motorized singletrack is shared by hikers, backpackers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. The route features undulating, rocky terrain with a net descent, providing expansive vistas of the surrounding desert and distant mountain ranges.
The trail winds through saguaro-studded hillsides and crosses colorful riparian corridors, offering a vibrant contrast to the arid environment. While the tread is generally manageable, the rocky surface can pose moderate technical challenges for mountain bikers and trail runners. There is minimal shade along the entire route, making sun protection and carrying ample water essential.
No Condition Reports
Black Canyon Trail: Black Canyon City to Table Mesa Trailhead
Black Canyon Trail: Black Canyon City to Table Mesa Trailhead
Black Canyon Trail: Big Bug Trailhead to Bumble Bee
Black Canyon Trail: Big Bug Trailhead to Bumble Bee
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