Trail Overview

This is a very easy trail that takes you from the Tonto National Forest Border in Cave Creek to the Cave Creek Trailhead in the Seven Springs Recreation Area. This is one of the most overlooked areas in this part of the Tonto National Forest. The first 2.2 miles of the trail are paved, and the remainder of the trail is wide dirt, but there are steep drop-offs and very tight switchback turns along the way, as well as some amazing scenery that make this a very worthwhile trail. Numerous side trails spawn off of this main trail, and some of the views of the Mazatzal Range are breathtaking.

Photos of Gateway to Seven Springs

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Difficulty

This is an easy and wide dirt trail with some spots of pavement, however, there are sharp switchbacks and steep drop-offs without guardrails in many places. Some of the water crossings can get very deep after a rain or strong runoff, but otherwise it is a very easy trail.

Technical Rating

Brady Matlock

Jan 09, 2026

Open

Muddy in some spots, but not flooded.

Dan S

Jan 02, 2026

Open

Gorgeous weather and green desert after all the rain. Trails were wet, sloppy, and pretty slippery in some places. Easy even when wet.

Aidan Campbell

Sep 28, 2025

Open

Very easy to get to the camp site and it was open and clear beyond the camp site at seven springs unknown some washboarding wouldn’t reccomend a sedan but it would do it

Louis Domokos

Jun 20, 2025

Open

Matteo Cannizzo

Jun 11, 2025

Open

Big ruts and many cows

Krysta Summers

Mar 17, 2025

Open

There were quite a few people along various sections up to 51 Ranch. Only a few easy to avoid puddles still lingered on some curves. Very comfortable drive.

B Nedd

Mar 09, 2025

Open

Anthony C

Feb 23, 2025

Open

Travis Ralston

Nov 03, 2024

Open

Very modest conditions passable in a 2 wheel drive vehicle with enough ground clearance. Rained yesterday and towards the end of the drive today while northbound to the following trails; only one patch was significantly muddy and soupy to the point of recommending 4wd to maintain stability, but I wouldn’t have been concerned in my old 2wd truck. I left it in 2hi after the first tight switchback that caused a bit of binding and didn’t worry about it until the rains started back up on Bloody Basin trail to the north. VW busses of all vintages made it to the campground at the end of the trail.

Scott Jordan-Denny

Oct 29, 2024

Open

Went to mike marker 12, to the 7 Springs Recreation area. Road is partially paved, partially washboard gravel. Curvy with hairpin turns. Shallow water typically covers the road at the Springs area. Saw some campers along the route.