Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Trail System

The Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Trail System within the Peaks Ranger District consists of 5 trails with a combined mileage of 11.3 miles with the longest trail being 5.6 miles. These trails include: Kelsey Springs Trail, Dorsey Trail, Winter Cabin Trail, Little Lo Trail, and Hog Hill Trail. Each trail is suitable for day hikes or longer overnight loop hikes. For descriptions of these trails, click here.

Sycamore Canyon can be very hot and dry during the summer months. There are several springs located near the Wilderness trails which normally have water year round but hikers should not depend on this water being available and all ground water should always be treated or filtered. There is plenty of shade along all of the trails as you descend into Sycamore Canyon through a thick forest of Ponderosa Pine, Gambel Oak, and Juniper trees. The lower part of Winter Cabin Trail and part of Kelsey Springs Trail takes you through chaparral type vegetation which offers spectacular views of Sycamore Canyon.

Sycamore Canyon is the second largest canyon is Arizona and offers hikers plenty of solitude and natural beauty.

Length of trail system: 11.3 miles

Rating: Mostly moderate with a few short strenuous sections

USGS Maps: Sycamore Point

Wilderness Map: Sycamore Canyon Wilderness map, 2002 available from local Forest Service Offices

Elevation: 6,800 to 4,800

Use: Low

Season: May to November

Location: Southwest of Flagstaff, Arizona

Access: Access to the trailheads is by dirt roads which can be extremely rough and even impassable during Monsoon Season and winter months due to mud and heavy snow.

Notes:

• No mechanized vehicles including bicycles in Wilderness.
• Fire danger is usually high - be careful with campfires.
• Camp at least 200 feet from springs and bury human waste 200 feet from springs - pack out all trash.

For more information contact:
Peaks Ranger Station, 5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, (928) 526-0866

For Questions and Answers or Comments on this area please visit "Comments on the Sycamore Canyon Trail System". If you'd like to have your own questions or comments added to this page, please so indicate in a web-mail message.

Important Links from this page:

• Individual Sycamore Canyon Trail Descriptions
• How to order Sycamore Canyon Map
• Comments on the Sycamore Canyon Trails
• Please send us your trail experience feedback
  

The trails listed in RED on this map are on the Peaks Ranger District. Below those trails on this map is the Red Rock Ranger District. The map is "clickable" for links to other trails on the Red Rock District in Sycamore Canyon.