Quail Springs

Located high on the alluvial fan of Mingus Mountain and is the trailhead for Black Canyon Trail (#114).  The habitat includes cactus, mesquite, and junipers.  There are resident cactus wrens.  Other sightings include cedar waxing, American robin, Townsend’s solitaire and blue and evening grosbeaks.  Skidmore River is accessed from this riparian area.

Site Information

Region: North Central

County: Yavapai

Directions: From its intersection with 89A just outside Cottonwood, travel southwest on Hwy 260 approximately 2.6 miles to FR 359. Turn right onto FR 359 (Ogden Ranch Road) and go 4.2 miles to the trailhead. Parking is good. FR 359 becomes rough and rocky and can be slippery when wet. At mile 3.3 a short spur to the left leads to an overlook of Black Canyon.

Latitude: 34.672894
Longitude: -112.048717

Operational Hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day

Admission or Fees: None

Habitats: Desert, Pinyon-juniper Forest, Stream or river

Know Before You Go

Roads may become impassable in wet weather.

Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.

Species Highlights

Speciality: Grace’s Warbler, Sage Thrasher

Charismatic: Cactus Wren, Phainopepla

Contact Information

Prescott National Forest - Verde Ranger District
US Forest Service
300 East Highway 260
Camp Verde, AZ 86322

Phone: 928-567-4121

Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/prescott/recreation/recarea/?recid=67367&actid=24

Email:

Additional Resources

Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3551998

Additional Resources:
Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival

Image Gallery