Trail Overview

Mingus Mountain is a rugged, unmaintained shelf road climbing 16 miles from Cottonwood to the 7,545-foot summit. Gaining over 4,400 feet with grades up to 24 degrees, this narrow trail features tight switchbacks, exposed cliffs, and no turnout zones. High-clearance, short-wheelbase vehicles are recommended; full-size rigs are not advised. Moving east to west, drivers should use low range (4Lo) to avoid overheating on the steep climbs. The terrain consists of rocky, uneven surfaces with deep ruts, natural ledges, off-camber sections, and loose rock. There are no guardrails or staging areas along the route, though primitive camping is available near the summit and on connected side roads.

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Difficulty

This is an unmaintained trail that has steep inclines, rough uneven hairpin turns, ruts, rock ledges, loose rock, and more. If you run from East to West, be cognizant of your vehicle overheating on the steep climbs.

History

Mingus Mountain, a prominent landmark in central Arizona, has a rich history intertwined with mining, recreation, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The mountain's namesake comes from the Mingus brothers, who settled in the area in the 1880s and operated a sawmill. Later, the area became popular for recreation, with the opening of Mingus Pass for automobiles in 1920, the establishment of the Mingus Mountain Inn in 1925, and the development of a winter sports area in 1941.

Technical Rating

Brady Miller

Sep 19, 2026

2017 Lexus GX460

Open

NormalMuddy/Wet

This trail was pretty interesting, my GX and my friends Tacoma made it through most of the trail with no issue. The trail is very tight, so be prepared for quite a bit of scarring. The view was incredible. We went from west to east. And the drive to the trail head was amazing as well. Little spots to camp on that side of the trail towards the beginning, and some pretty crazy spots on the trail too (not sure if you’re allowed to camp there or not). The majority of the trail is very untamed forest roads, nothing super technical but definitely need to be aware of surroundings. There was one technical section that had us both switching off spotting for each other. It was my buddy’s first time on the trail and he did good with a little bit of guidance. I am no pro, but I have a fair understanding of lines. That part of the trail definitely made it for me, but it took us 4 hours. I’m sure smaller vehicles that are more built can make it through swiftly. Go try it out!

Amy Bytnar

May 25, 2026

2022 Jeep Wrangler

Open

DustyWashboard

We started about 10am. Not a single other vehicle besides our group. Views were amazing. Weather was perfect. It was washboard and dusty with a few rocks. We stopped at a spot almost at the top to have lunch. This was a high 3 to a low 4. Was not difficult at all.

Jeff C

Mar 30, 2026

Open

Normal

I noticed a lot of broken parts and oil on one section. I guess they forgot to leave a comment.

Nathan S

Mar 10, 2026

Open

Normal

Great run from Cottonwood into the 89 into the back way of Prescott, the drop off takes you 9 miles outside of Jerome, single track, rocky and tight for larger wheelbase vehicles, it'll dump you into pines and unimproved camping with a nice gravel roads the closer you get to the highway.

Mike Madore

Nov 14, 2025

Open

Mingus Mountain Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

Single Track
50 Inch
60 Inch
High Clearance
Full Width

Access Description

The route is unmaintained and can become hazardous during wet conditions or extreme heat. High-clearance vehicles with 4-wheel drive and a short wheelbase are highly recommended. Always check local Prescott National Forest regulations and fire restrictions before heading out, as the area is highly susceptible to wildfires.