While much of the Forest is open to dispersed camping, there are several sites set aside as designated dispersed camping sites, listed below. Pick up or download a free Motor Vehicle Use Map to know where it is legal to drive. See Guidelines for information and policies, and Specific Sites for more details and contact information.
Know before you go! Be aware extreme winter weather or flooding risks can necessitate the closure of forest roads at different times of the year. Many forest roads that lead to dispersed campsites may be closed during seasonal road closures, so please check the Forest Road Status web page for more information about the status of forest roads in each District.
Drive north from Flagstaff 2 miles on US 180 to FR 420 (Schultz Pass Road). Turn east and follow FR 420 about a mile to a gate and cattle guard. Turn right down over the hill toward Schultz Creek and park. The trailhead is at the north end of the parking area.
As of now there is major construction going on here. The construction workers put up the orange and/or yellow taping trying to deny access to the area and to the hiking trails. There is spray paint on rocks from construction, massive deforestation everywhere there and you can hear their load beeping machinery digging dragging and dumping up the whole mountain to the peak. Yes great views of Flagstaff, the valley and surrounding mountains but shame on Flagstaff for allowing such careless and reckless construction to happen.
Great access to a pretty good network of trails. Prepare for some long uphills. Lots of loop options with a variety of terrain. Seems like a pretty safe parking lot.
For an out-of-towner, this trail was a little confusing - even after downloading trail route from MTB Project. But my friend and I were able to figure out a route after a short loop. Great trail for intermediate level MTBers. I rode Schultz Creek Trail on my hardtail. Uphill was a tough, but doable challenge; Downhill was super fun, if a little tricky on some of the rock gardens.
Seriously, Flagstaff. You have really let yourself go. This town is filled with crazies and rich yuppies. Gross. We has to leave the parking lot cause some guy started yelling at us about mitochondrial power loads.
This was a wonderful trail for the family. We hiked to a great spot where we could see Flagstaff. It wasn’t too steep, though it had us winded—it made coming back down super easy. We plan to do it again. The wildflowers were breathtaking!