★★★☆☆ Moderate / Phoenix Area:

Wade in a gentle creek, or relax on a wide stone beach, outside Black Canyon City. Just a mile-and-a-half off the ever-bustling I-17 highway, the Black Canyon Trail splashes across a bend in the cool Aqua Fria River. Lucky for us, this scenic water crossing, at the foot of a tall canyon, is easily accessible via the short & sweet Rock Springs Spur Trail.


TRAILHEAD: South Warner Road, black canyon city   DIFFICULTY: MODERATE  •  DISTANCE: 1.4 MILEs (2.8 Miles RT)  •  APPROX. TIME: 1.5-2 HOURS  •  ELEVATION GAIN: 232 FEET (17 STORIES)  •  APPROX. CALORIES BURNED: 420-476  •  BEST TIME OF YEAR: OCT. – APRIL  •  PETS: YES  •  KID FRIENDLY: yes  •  FACILITIES: YES (no water)  •  FEES: none

Hiker, Boy Playing, Aqua Fria River, Horseshoe Bend, Black Canyon Hiking Trail, Rock Spring Spur Trail, Black Canyon City, Arizona, Canyon, Phoenix Area, Water Hike,When you feel like escaping Phoenix, but don’t want to go too far, the Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River, is a pretty sweet option. Tucked into the hills behind Black Canyon City, this short trail provides access to a southern portion of the 80-mile Black Canyon Trail. Which, in turn, soon hops across the Agua Fria River.

Landscape, View, Hikers, Rock Springs Spur Trail, Aqua Fria River, Black Canyon City Trail, Horseshoe Bar, Bradshaw Mountains, Phoenix Area, Black Canyon City, Water HikesStarting at the Black Canyon Trail parking lot, the Rock Springs Spur Trail heads west, quickly departing civilization and entering the beautifully rolling, saguaro-lined foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains. Stay straight, past a turnoff to the High Desert Trail. Then, after about 0.75 miles, veer left where the Rock Springs Spur Trail ends at a T-intersection with the Black Canyon Trail.  

Landscape, View, Hikers, Rock Springs Spur Trail, Aqua Fria River, Black Canyon City Trail, Horseshoe Bar, Bradshaw Mountains, Phoenix Area, Black Canyon City, Water HikesFrom here, the Black Canyon Trail, winds gently down a lovely canyon side. And views of the Cottonwood-lined Agua Fria River begin to peak in and out of view below. A number of short switchbacks make the final descent to the creek.

Landscape, View, Hikers, Aqua Fria River, Horseshoe Bar, Beach, Rock Springs Spur Trail, Black Canyon Trail, Bradshaw Mountains, Black Canyon City, Phoenix Area, Arizona, Water HikesA wide sand and stone expanse, known as Horseshoe Bar, frames the river’s edge where it makes a tight U-turn around the high canyon walls.

Young Hiker, Landscape, View, Aqua Fria River, Stepping Stones, Horseshoe Bar, Beach, Rock Springs Spur Trail, Black Canyon Trail, Bradshaw Mountains, Black Canyon City, Phoenix Area, Arizona, Water HikesThis is an awesome area to hang out. The Agua Fria’s cool water is refreshing, changing depth with the seasons. A few large Cottonwood Trees provide shade and are perfect to sit beneath and relax.

Landcape, View, Arizona, Bradshaw Mountains, Aqua Fria River, Horsehoe Bar, Black Canyon Hiking Trail, Black Canyon City, Phoenix Area, Water HikesIf you’re feeling ambitious, and want to hike further, continue across the creek on the Black Canyon Trail. Once across the river, the BCT approaches, then makes a moderate climb up, the surrounding hills. Incredible views over the twisting Agua Fria spread out below after 2.5 miles of additional hiking.

Landscape, View, Mountain Biker, Arizona, Bradshaw Mountains, Black Canyon Trail, Black Canyon City, Phoenix Area, Rock Springs Spur TrailAfter 3.5 miles the BCT trail crests at a beautiful overlook, before heading south to New River. In total, the BCT stretches 80-miles, from Prescott (in the north) to New River (in the south). It is hyper-popular with mountain bikers, for its extreme length and perpetual curves.

Total Nerdery

The 120-mile long Aqua Fria (Cold Water) River starts north of Prescott, winds south through the Bradshaw Mountains, and reaches its final destination as a cool dip in Lake Pleasant.

Resources

Click here to download a trail map. The Rock Springs Spur Trail starts at the Black Canyon City Trailhead.

Directions: From I-17 (about 27 miles north of Phoenix) take exit 242 west / left, to Black Canyon City. Just after crossing over the highway, turn right / north onto Old Black Canyon Highway and drive 0.6 miles to South Warner Road. Turn left onto South Warner Road and continue approximately 0.5 miles to the Black Canyon City Trailhead parking lot on the right side of the road.