Mazaztal Wilderness Area

Description:

• The Mazatzal Wilderness now contains over 252,500 acres of Tonto and Coconino National Forests. Established in 1940 and expanded to it's present size in 1984, it's name is from an old Indian culture in Mexico, and it correctly pronounced "Mah-zaht-zahl," meaning "land of the deer."

  The eastern side of this wilderness consists predominantly of brush or pine-covered mountains, sometimes broken by narrow, verticle-walled canyons. On its west side below the steep brush-covered foothills, the Verde River flows through the Sonoran Desert found there. This river wax designated by Congress in 1984 as Arizona's only Wild River Area. Elevations range from 2,0060 feet along the Verde River to 7,903 feet on Mazaztal Peak. There is an extensive system of trails; their conditions varies from very good to very poor. Several are unsuited for horses. The western border of this wilderness area carries the Verde River and at it's base lies the Bartlett Reservoir which is downstream of Horseshoe Reservoir. With all these water recreations available, it's hard to not find something to do. For the more adventurous, try taking a trip to the interior of the wilderness area to scope out the towering mountains and deep canyons.. The Mazaztal Wilderness can be accessed via the State Hwy. 87 heading towards Payson.