Thumb Butte Loop

Total Miles 7.5
Technical Rating
2 Easy
Best Time Spring, Summer, Fall
Trail Type Full-Width Road
Accessible By
Open Trail Map
Thumb Butte Loop trail photo

Trail Overview

The Thumb Butte Loop is arguably the most traveled off-road section in the Prescott National Forest. It's close to town, easy to access and offers sweeping views over Prescott, the Sierra Prieta, the Weaver Mountains and the Bradshaw Mountains as you wind along the drive. Camping is abundant along the drive, as are trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. It's not the most technical or most remote drive in the area by a long shot, but it gives you the best opportunity to get a scope of everything Prescott has to offer before you jump off on bigger adventures. The Sierra Prieta Overlook at the halfway point is a must-see for sunsets.

Photos of Thumb Butte Loop

Difficulty

Moderately maintained. Bumpy with some small rocky sections. Road conditions are worse in winter when precipitation and frequent travel combine to degrade conditions. Most of the year it's passable in 2WD. Moderate clearance recommended.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

Add Status Report
Trey M
Mar 01, 2026
Open
You an take an UTV on this trail
Dan Weier
Feb 14, 2026
Open
Not dusty after yesterday's rain. Plenty of potholes but the trail was in good condition otherwise.
Mike Stevens
Jan 19, 2026
Open
I only road from the White Rock trailhead south the Copper Basin. There were a couple puddles but almost completely dry even with some standing snow in the south-facing hills. The road has some potholes and washboard areas but nothing a Subaru couldn't handle.
kobe madore
Jan 07, 2026
Open
pretty drive, even with the fog. lots to deer
Amy Marshal
Nov 02, 2025
Open
Very bumpy with high cliffs. Sunset is a popular time to stop at Sierra Prieta Overlook. About ½ to ⅔ of designated dispersed campsites were claimed on a Sunday evening.
MotoPants Brapinson
Nov 02, 2025
Open
Very light traffic.
Nolan Schmidt
Sep 03, 2025
Open
T's Pearl
Jul 22, 2025
Open
Nice trail for limited clearance vehicle. One area, fairly steep and nice to have four-wheel-drive, beautiful views, dear, and I believe quaking aspen. We weren't expecting that.
jim M
May 25, 2025
Open
Took this to copper creek trail. This part of the road was super easy and wide. It's a good maintained dirt road in the sections I rode. Saw plenty of deer also.
Amber Wolter
Feb 20, 2025
Open
Ben Gregory
Aug 28, 2024
Open
Rainy but no deterioration, all the offshoots and main trails were open
Vincent Roque
Nov 12, 2023
Open
Sam Knight
Aug 06, 2023
Open
Jeff Lorig
Jul 04, 2023
Open
Robert Wilson
May 02, 2023
Open

Thumb Butte Loop Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • Full Width

Thumb Butte Loop Map

Popular Trails

009402D

009402D

Learn more about 009402D
Total Miles 0.81
Tech Rating 2 Easy
Best Time Su / Sp / Fa
Copper Basin

Copper Basin

Learn more about Copper Basin
Total Miles 10.62
Tech Rating 1 Easy
Best Time Sp / Su / Fa
Mount Francis

Mount Francis

Learn more about Mount Francis
Total Miles 0.58
Tech Rating 3 Easy
Best Time Su / Sp / Fa
Jack Pine Road

Jack Pine Road

Learn more about Jack Pine Road
Total Miles 2.07
Tech Rating 3 Easy
Best Time Sp / Su / Fa

The onX Offroad Difference

onX Offroad combines trail photos, descriptions, difficulty ratings, width restrictions, seasonality, and more in a user-friendly interface. Available on all devices, with offline access and full compatibility with CarPlay and Android Auto. Discover what you're missing today!

Open Trail Map