Trail Overview
Set within a towering ponderosa pine forest and grassy woodland environment in the Kaibab National Forest, Canyon #3 (FS 0270-001) offers a quiet, secluded forest spur drive. Accessed directly off of main Forest Road 0270, this 1.4-mile out-and-back dirt spur descends through the trees to provide access to several primitive campsites before ending deep in the woods. Outdoor recreationists, hunters, and campers frequently explore this path to secure private dispersed camping spots, stage for nearby forest hikes, or enjoy peaceful mountain solitude. The trail surface begins with loose embedded stones before transitioning into a single-track dirt path with deep tire ruts, earning a gentle Grade 2 difficulty rating. Departing the main forest road, the path winds gently under dense pine canopy, passing inviting camping clearings along the way. Near the bottom, the trail forms a small loop before concluding amidst thick timber, where drivers must execute a multi-point turnaround.
Difficulty
Earning an accessible Grade 2 difficulty rating, this 1.4-mile out-and-back spur features a mix of loose surface cobbles and firm dirt. While steep inclines and high-clearance boulder fields are absent, the primary non-technical challenges consist of dry tire track ruts up to 12 inches deep and very slick mud during wet conditions. To traverse the route safely without high-centering or scraping underbody components, drivers should maintain a slow speed, offset vehicle tires to straddle deep longitudinal ruts, and restrict travel to dry seasonal periods.
