Thumb Butte Loop

Total Miles7.5
Technical Rating
2Easy
Best TimeSpring, Summer, Fall
Trail TypeFull-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

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Trey M
Mar 01, 2026
Open
Rough/Deteriorated
You an take an UTV on this trail
Dan Weier
Feb 14, 2026
Open
Normal
Not dusty after yesterday's rain. Plenty of potholes but the trail was in good condition otherwise.
Mike Stevens
Jan 19, 2026
2020 Toyota 4Runner
Open
Normal
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
2020 Toyota Tacoma
Open
Muddy/Wet
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
Dusty
Very light traffic.
Nolan Schmidt
Sep 03, 2025
2021 Nissan Armada
Open
Dusty
T's Pearl
Jul 22, 2025
Open
Dusty
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
NormalDusty
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
Normal
Ben Gregory
Aug 28, 2024
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Open
Muddy/Wet
Rainy but no deterioration, all the offshoots and main trails were open
Vincent Roque
Nov 12, 2023
2012 Toyota Tundra
Open
NormalDusty
Sam Knight
Aug 06, 2023
Open
NormalDusty
Jeff Lorig
Jul 04, 2023
Open
Normal
Robert Wilson
May 02, 2023
2014 Jeep Cherokee
Open
NormalDusty

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

  • Full Width

Thumb Butte Loop Map

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