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BLM Camping

Emery Henderson Trailhead

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Emery Henderson Trailhead

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a government agency that manages much of the public lands in the US. BLM sites are areas where public lands have been set aside for use by any visitors. These areas are protected and preserved but are largely left in their natural, rugged states. To find BLM sites, search for "BLM camping near me."

The Emery Henderson Trailhead is located just north of Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert. The trailhead provides access to the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, which is a long trail that meanders across a variety of terrains. It’s a popular trail with hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Visitors to the trail can traverse the desert, climb rocky inclines and descend into small canyons. The trail also has historical significance as it has been used for centuries by Native American travelers. The Emery Henderson Trailhead is also located only about two hours from Saguaro National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park is two hours and fifty-seven minutes to the north.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Black Canyon National Recreation Trail

Visitors to the historic Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, which is twenty-three minutes north of the Emery Henderson Trailhead, can choose to start and stop along any portion. Some areas are gentle while others are characterized by steep climbs or rocky terrain.

Length: 80 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Dixie Summit Trail

Located in the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve, which is twenty minutes southeast of the Emery Henderson Trailhead, this trail offers a gradual climb that leads to gorgeous views of the area.

Length: 3 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Apache Wash Loop Extended Trail

This beautiful trail, also located in the Sonoran Preserve, offers scenic views and is a terrific way to spot local wildlife.

Length: 6.6 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Sidewinder and Ocotillo Trail Loop

This looping Sonoran Preserve trail is well-maintained and is popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.

Length: 5.2 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Clay Mine Trail

Located in Cave Creek Regional Park 24 minutes southeast of the Emery Henderson Trailhead, this trail offers beautiful views, excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and a glimpse of the history of the area.

Length: 3 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

Anglers can head to Anthem Community Park and the Anthem Community Lakes, located in Anthem, just eight minutes southeast of the Emery Henderson Trailhead. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed at both locations, and there are also green areas, playgrounds, and paths for walking or running.

Climbing

One of the best places for rock climbing in the area is at McDowell Mountain Preserve, thirty-five minutes southeast of the Emery Henderson Trailhead. There are several options for climbing routes in the preserve, including Gardener’s Wall, which is about 250 feet tall. There are also many opportunities for bouldering.

Wildlife Viewing

The trailhead, as well as the nearby Cave Creek Regional Park and Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve, are all excellent places to spot wildlife. Visitors can often see cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, hawks, crows, ravens, javelina, coyotes, quails, and, occasionally, bobcats and mountain lions. The area is also home to a range of reptiles, including king snakes, bull snakes, rattlesnakes, skinks, whiptail lizards, desert spiny lizards, and desert tortoises.

Picnicking

Anthem Community Park is an excellent nearby option for picnicking. The park features shaded picnic tables and barbecues. Moon Valley Park, twenty-eight minutes southeast of the Emery Henderson Trailhead, also offers covered picnic tables and barbecue spots, and Lookout Mountain Preserve, which is about a half-hour to the southeast, features picnic tables and a playground.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is one of the most popular recreation activities in the area around the Emery Henderson Trailhead. Equestrians can choose from almost any of the area’s nearby hiking or mountain biking trails, including the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

There are Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and standard RV camping parks in the area around the trailhead. If you want to stay somewhere with amenities, Desert’s Edge RV Park, twenty minutes southeast of the Emery Henderson Trailhead offers more than 220 sites with full hookups, patios and picnic tables. Pleasant Harbor RV Resort, which is fourteen minutes to the southwest, features 253 full-hookup RV sites and sixty-nine partial hookup spaces. In addition, there is a heated pool and a spa, restrooms and showers, free Wi-Fi, sports courts, laundry facilities, and even a store.

Free Camping

Many BLM sites allow for camping, but some limit how long campers can stay or how many tents or RVs are allowed at each site. There may also be rules regarding how many people can be at each site or what activities are allowed in the area. It’s always a good idea to research or call ahead to make yourself familiar with different regulations and ensure that there’s room to accommodate your stay.

Visitors looking for Bureau of Land Management free camping can set up dispersed sites right at the Emery Henderson Trailhead. The Little Pan Staging Area, twenty minutes north of the Emery Henderson Trailhead, also offers free camping. You can also choose to stay at Raccoon Campground twenty minutes to the southeast. The park charges a $14 per night fee, and while water and vault toilets are available, there are no utility hookups.

RV Rentals Near Emery Henderson Trailhead Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Emery Henderson Trailhead BLM trip

During the late fall, early spring and winter months, the climate in the area around the Emery Henderson Trailhead is mild. The area sees little rain, so almost any day is a good one to explore the trail. However, during the summer, temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which can make being outside dangerous. Dehydration can become deadly before you even realize you’re thirsty, so always pack plenty of water and drink it throughout your trip.

The plants and animals around the trailhead are beautiful but can also cause injury. Don’t touch any cacti as they can be very sharp. If you see a snake, observe it from a distance and let it move on before you approach the area. Never try to touch any snakes, and stay alert for the sound of a rattlesnake.

Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

The desert is a beautiful, yet fragile, ecosystem, so it’s crucial that Leave No Trace policies are followed to protect and preserve the landscape. Fires are incredibly dangerous in the desert, so only build a fire when the danger rating is low, and always carefully contain and control fires. Take all your trash with you, and throw it away in the nearest trash can. If you see litter on the trail, stop and pick it up. Stay on the trails as much as possible to avoid damaging the plants or terrain.

Emery Henderson Trailhead Location

From Phoenix, head north on Interstate 17. Take Exit 233 for New River Road. Take a left, driving west for about three miles. You’ll see the trailhead on the north side of the road. You can also reach the trailhead from Prescott by taking Highway 69 to Interstate 17 and then continuing south on Interstate 17. Take the New River Road Exit, and turn right to drive west.

Ready to visit Emery Henderson Trailhead? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night, where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice, soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.