The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Sophie's Flat Trailhead is a six-mile looped trail across the Sonoran Desert, offering beautiful landscape views. The trail runs around Red Top Peak but does not summit it. Most people enjoy this hike during the cooler months. There is a large parking lot and a vault toilet next to Sophie's Flat Trailhead. Visitors can camp there for up to 14 days for free. The looped trail connects to over100 miles of other hiking trails, so hikers can plan a multiday hiking adventure if they want. This trail near Wickenburg, Arizona, is about 136 miles north of Grand Canyon National Park and about 186 miles from Joshua Tree National Park.
Hassayampa River Trail starts and ends at the Hassayampa River Preserve Visitor Center. It is only available for hiking on Wednesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the wintertime. Pets are not allowed on this loop trail that leads through the desert to the river and back.
Length: 1.9 miles
Intensity: Easy
See how the land rejuvenates itself after a wildfire by following this trail. Expect to hike through a creek when following this trail. This isolated trail offers beautiful desert views.
Length: 17.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail starts near the Central Arizona Project staging area. Most of the trail is relatively flat, and it is open to off-road vehicles and bikers. The course runs by Balmont and Morning Star abandoned mines.
Length: 7.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Lake Pleasant is a terrific place to go fishing. This lake was formed by damming the Agua Fria River in 1927. It has a very deep main channel and numerous arms and coves to fish. Anglers often catch striped bass, largemouth bass, white bass, catfish and crappie.
Weaver's Needle is a terrific place to climb in the cooler months. The easiest way to reach this destination is to follow the Bluff Springs Trail. The climb can be completed in three pitches, with the first being the hardest.
The Hassayampa River Preserve is an ideal place to spot wildlife. Many birds live at or visit this preserve, including the threatened Southwest willow flycatcher and the yellow-billed cuckoo, which use the preserve when building their nests. Visitors may also see deer, javelinas, coyotes, gray foxes, badgers, raccoons and gophers.
Stone Park in Wickenburg is a beautiful place for a picnic. It is nestled between the town's city hall and public library. Craft fairs and other community events often occur at this grassy location. There are strategically placed benches to sit on, or bring a blanket.
While you can use Sophie's Flat Trailhead's parking lot for boondocking, there is no organized campground for RV camping at Sophie's Flat Trailhead. One of the closest BLM RV camping campgrounds to this trailhead is Burro Creek Campground. Only group sites need a reservation at this location. There are many privately owned Wickenburg area campgrounds to consider, including Green N Lush Campground, where you can pick oranges and grapefruit off their trees to enjoy during your stay. If you are looking for a five-star camping experience, consider Escapees North Ranch RV Club.
You can boondock in the gravel lot at Sophie's Flat Trailhead when seeking Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities. There is also boondocking along the Harquahala Mountain Backcountry Byway. In Wickenburg, boondocking is allowed at Constellation Park, located across from the rodeo grounds. When you are looking for "BLM camping near me", before or after hiking Sophie's Flat Trail, consider the Boulders Staging OHV Area located between Wickenburg and Peoria.
Since some of the trails connecting to Sophie's Flat Trail need to be better marked, bringing along a topographical map may help. Using the contour lines on the map enables you to line up what you are seeing in your field of vision with what is on the map. Examine your map's legend to see what other details it includes. Once you get the map lined up with your location, you can use a compass and the scale on the map to ensure that you are moving in the right direction.
Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are fantastic places to stay. As you explore this hiking trail and other nearby areas, you will build memories that will last a lifetime. Make the most of your adventure by taking the time to learn more about BLM camping before your trip.
You never want to litter, so plan to pack your trash out with you when following Sophie's Flat Trail. It can take plastic-coated paper, like found on the outside of many water bottles, up to five years to decompose while it can take an aluminum can up to 100 years. Likewise, it can take a tin can up to 50 years to decompose and a glass bottle 100 years. Therefore, you should pack out all your trash.
Starting at Constellation Park in Wickenburg, head northeast on Constellation Road. The road will turn more northerly, but you should keep following it until you get to Blue Tank Road. Turn left on Blue Tank Road, and go 1.4 miles. Then, you will see the trailhead.
Address: Sophie's Flat Trailhead, Blue Tank Road, Wickenburg, Arizona 85358
Ready to visit Sophie's Flat 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.
