Box Canyon And Scenic Drive - Level 2
Box Canyon and Scenic Drive sits just north of Wickenburg, Arizona, on BLM land managed by the Hassayampa Field Office. It runs from the staging area off Rincon Road into the Hassayampa River corridor, where the road drops into the river bottom and heads toward the narrower part of Box Canyon.
The canyon is a popular day trip for people from the Phoenix area. Red rock walls give some shade, and the drive back out along Rincon Road gives a view of the country around the river.
Trail Summary
- LocationYavapai County, Arizona
- Distance10.4 miles
- DifficultyLevel 2
- Elevation2,134 ft to 2,681 ft with a 547 ft change
- Travel Time1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty
Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD
This is an Easy, level 2 route. A high clearance 2WD vehicle on stock equipment is generally enough, though loose surfaces and ground clearance can still matter. Expect dirt and rocky road with dips, ruts and rocks smaller than about 9 inches. Shallow water and small ledges under about 12 inches are possible, and the road is typically unmaintained after rain. Roads are generally one to two vehicles wide. The driver's log does not call out any obstacle that needs special attention. Check recent weather before you go, because the Hassayampa is a desert river that can run high after storms.
Terrain
The route starts on dirt tracks that drop from the staging area into the Hassayampa River bottom, which is mostly sand and gravel with some rocky stretches. Further in, the canyon walls close in and the river channel often carries water, from damp sand to shallow pools. Depth and the best line change with the season and with recent flooding. Rincon Road, used to reach the area and as a way back out, is a dirt road that crosses the Hassayampa several times and passes some residences. The setting is Sonoran Desert foothills northwest of Phoenix, with mesquite and cottonwood along the river and red rock walls in the canyon.
Highlights
A large stream gauge stands beside the river a few miles into the canyon. The county flood control district uses it to measure flows during flash floods. There is a small side canyon off the main channel that can be explored, though debris has blocked it in the past. Some visitors park and walk the narrow slot beyond where vehicles stop. The area is also used for BLM volunteer cleanups, and the BLM has been reviewing its travel management plan, so check current route status with the Hassayampa Field Office before you go.
Trail GPS File
Map
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