Woodchute Trail - Cottonwood, AZ

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Woodchute Trail


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The Woodchute Trail #102 is a moderate 6-mile trail (one way) to the top mesa which overlooks the Verde River Valley, Chino Valley, and Lonesome Valley. It also offers a look at mountain ranges, including the San Francisco Peaks and on a clear day, the distant red rocks of Sedona. The ride to the trailhead includes a variety of vegetation, including ponderosa pines, juniper, oak, pinon and manzanita. The trail passes the crest of Woodchute Mountain at 7,500 feet elevation, and can be cool even in the summer.

Woodchute Trail #102 is on the south side of Woodchute Mountain was established along what was once a bulldozer track. The bulldozer was used to create several cattle watering tanks on Woodchute Mountain. The top of the mountain is an open stand of second growth Ponderosa pine, the original forest having been completely cut years ago. When the copper mines at Jerome were in operation, loggers obtained shoring timbers for the mines from this mountain. They transported the logs by way of a chute extending down the north side of the mountain to loading platforms for the narrow gauge railroad which served Jerome. That railroad track is now Forest Road 318. There are splendid panoramic views from the mountaintop in all directions.

From the south trailhead it is a fairly easy climb of 2.75 miles to the top of Woodchute Mountain, then another 3.5 miles down the north side to the north trailhead and the old narrow gauge road (Forest Road 318) to Jerome. The south ascent is the easiest since it only climbs 600 ft. to the summit. From the top at 7,700 ft. to the north trailhead the descent is 2,260 ft. There are some steep switchbacks on this side.

Hiking and horses are permitted on this trail. Since this trail goes through the Wilderness Area, it is closed to all mechanized traffic including bicycles and ATVs.

Facilities: There is no drinking water available along the trail.

There are restrooms available at Woodchute Trail. There is camping and drinking water (in season) at nearby Potato Patch Family Campground.

Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted at Woodchute Trail.

Best Time To Visit: Woodchute Trail's best times are fall, spring and summer.

Fees: No fees are charged.

Accessibility: The area is not accessible.

Rules: As with all Wilderness Areas, any mechanized vehicle is prohibited. Access to Woodchute Wilderness is limited to foot or horseback. All terrain vehicles, mountain bicycles, trucks, jeeps, etc are prohibited.

Obey all posted rules for the Woodchute Wilderness and the Prescott National Forest. Read and obey any fire restrictions or forest closures.

Directions: The Woodchute Trail trailhead is just off U.S. 89A turn-off at Potato Patch Campground near the 335-mile marker. Then take Forest Road 106 west for 0.3 miles to the power line. The trailhead is just under the power line. Forest Road 106 is suitable for high clearance vehicles in fair weather. This road is not maintained. (This trailhead is scheduled to be moved closer to the Potato Patch Campground.)

Alternate access from the Chino area is by way of Forest Road 354 to just south of Perkinsville. Take Forest Road 318 south from there, then west on Forest Road 318A for 1.3 miles to the north trailhead.

Access from Jerome is also by way of Forest Road 318 around the north side of Woodchute Mountain.

Attractions Near
Woodchute Trail

Potato Patch Family Campground
Prescott National Forest
Woodchute Wilderness