About Upper Burro Creek Wilderness
The 27,440-acre Upper Burro Creek Wilderness is located in Yavapai and Mohave counties in Arizona, 60 miles west of Prescott and 60 miles southeast of Kingman. The small mining town of Bagdad is located 10 miles southeast of the wilderness.This wilderness lies along the upper reaches of Burro Creek, a perennial stream and one of the few streams in Arizona to flow relatively undisturbed into the lower desert. Nine miles of Burro Creek lie within the wilderness. In this area, Burro Creek passes through incised bedrock where it runs deep, creating clear blue pools connected by small waterfalls. In other areas, the creek has backed up into long, marshy pools ringed with young trees and other water-loving vegetation.Away from the stream corridor, the wilderness preserves an expanse of basalt mesas and the desert grassland found on their rolling upland surfaces. Negro Ed, a huge and colorful butte rising far above its surroundings, is one of the many beautiful natural features of the wilderness.Upper Burro Creek Wilderness offers outstanding recreation opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping, sightseeing, hunting, rock collecting, and horseback riding. Swimming, birdwatching, and photography are special attractions all along the stream corridor.Know Before You GoA four-wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended to gain access to this wilderness.Several access roads to this wilderness have a high clay component to them. Following precipitation events, these roads can be impassable for a period of timeNo formal hiking trails exist within this area. Considerable "bush-whacking" may be necessary to negotiate the Burro Creek corridor or areas of chaparral brush.The summer climate in this area is harsh, with temperatures in the daytime often exceeding 100 degrees. Temperatures are more moderate between October 1 and April 30th.With the exception of the Burro Creek Canyon, water is scarce within this wilderness unit, and where found, must always be purified.Please follow
How to Get There
A four-wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended for all access routes.Upper Burro Creek Access: This route should not be attempted within several days of major rainstorms or if the possibility of rain is in the forecast. Proceed to the town of Bagdad, AZ, and turn right on Lindahl Road. Follow the road to the junction with the Phelps Dodge Mine Access Road (about 3 miles) and turn right. Drive about 13 miles, following Camp Wood signs, to Bozarth Road (just past a ranch headquarters). Proceed west on Bozarth Road for 14.5 miles across Behm and Bozarth Mesas to the rim of Burro Creek Canyon. Go through the gates and drop steeply down into Burro Creek which marks the eastern boundary.Six-Mile Crossing Access: This route should not be attempted within several days of rainstorms or if the possibility of rain is in the forecast. Proceed to milepost 132 on Highway 93, located about 7.5 miles south of Wikieup, Arizona. Take the good unpaved road bearing east at this point. Follow this road for about 15 miles, until you reach Six-Mile Crossing, which is a fording of Burro Creek. Cross the creek, and just beyond, pass through a steel gate. Turn left after the gate, and follow the fence north for about 4.5 miles, paralleling Burro Creek. This area is the southern boundary.Sycamore Camp Access: Proceed to milepost 132 on Highway 93, located about 7.5 miles south of Wikieup, Arizona. Take the good unpaved road bearing east at this point. Follow this road for 7.8 miles, to a road inter
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Upper Burro Creek Wilderness
Heading to Upper Burro Creek Wilderness? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Upper Burro Creek Wilderness?
No central reservation system listed for Upper Burro Creek Wilderness. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/13503) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Upper Burro Creek Wilderness?
A four-wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended for all access routes.Upper Burro Creek Access: This route should not be attempted within several days of major rainstorms or if the possibility of rain is in the forecast. Proceed to the town of Bagdad, AZ, and turn right on Lindahl Road. Follow the road to the junction with the Phelps Dodge Mine Access Road (about 3 miles) and turn right. Drive …
How do I contact Upper Burro Creek Wilderness?
You can reach the park at phone: 928-718-3700 or email: BLM_AZ_KFOWEB@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
