Black Canyon Trail

Black Canyon Trail (BCT) is an 80+ mile non-motorized long-distance route in central Arizona that links the Carefree Highway area in Phoenix with SR-69 near Mayer. The route is widely used for long hikes and for multi-day rides, with typical travel done as shorter point-to-point segments.

The trail runs a long way on singletrack through Sonoran Desert terrain—saguaro forests, rugged canyons, and desert backcountry along foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains. Expect sustained route character rather than an easy “day-hike trail”: there are multiple elevation changes across the full BCT.

Seasonality is a big part of the planning. The route is recommended for use from November through April, and outside that window it’s described as seldom used due to harsh summer conditions.

Hikers and riders usually break the BCT into segments anchored by major trailheads. Common access points include Emery Henderson, Table Mesa, Black Canyon City, and other named trailheads along the route for day trips or overnighters.

Water and exposure are practical constraints on this route. The BCT crosses the Agua Fria multiple times, and water along the route is described as seasonal—creek crossings may be dry or require wading depending on recent conditions.

The corridor has historic roots and was used long ago by Native American travelers and traders. In later decades it shifted from older travel uses to newer road-based traffic patterns, and a multi-agency effort helped scope, locate, and designate it as a non-motorized recreational trail, with early completed sections in Maricopa County by 1992. It remains a nationally recognized recreation trail with a strong emphasis on non-motorized use.

More information: Black Canyon Trail (BCT) - BIKEPACKING.com, Black Canyon Trail, AZ - Bureau of Land Management, Hiking Guide to Black Canyon National Recreational Trail