Mingus Mountain Viewpoints Trail

Mingus Mountain Viewpoints OHV Trail

2-Hour Route

Mingus Mountain Viewpoints OHV Trail Overview

Prescott National Forest has an unexpected 2-hour adventure on the lower half of Mingus Mountain Trail (FR-413) that is easily accessible from Cottonwood, Arizona. This off-road trail is a great opportunity to get to breath-taking panoramic views of the entire Verde Valley. Known to be an out-and-back 4×4 route that is less congested, FR-413 transitions a couple thousand feet up the side of Mingus Mountain. Though this trail switchbacks up the mountainside and can get steep in certain sections, FR-413 is known to be a smoother route than other 4×4 trails in the area.

Each of the three viewpoints along the trail give you a different perspective of the Verde Valley, with Sedona red rocks in the background. If you are looking for a secluded 4×4 trail with endless desert views, and do not want as much rough terrain like many other routes we offer, this is a great 2-hour option. This 4×4 trail is opposite of the other 2-hour routes Vortex ATV Rental can offer as it transitions up Mingus Mountain, rather than towards Sedona and the Red Rocks.

Difficulty Rating

Mingus Mountain Viewpoints Trail (FR-413) offers unique Verde Valley views without the truly rough, technical terrain other OHV trails offer in the Sedona region. The main 4×4 trail along this route is a smoother dirt road, so do not expect to get the extreme off-road experience. Overall most would consider this a novice trail. But be careful along this off-road trail as the road continues up the switchbacks, the steeper the ledges and tighter the road can get along the mountainside. This 2-hour route does turn around at a more aggressive section, so be careful as you maneuver along this region of the trail to enjoy the three viewpoints on the way back down Mingus Mountain.

Off-Road Vehicle Access

Mingus Mountain Viewpoint Trail (FR-413) is advisable to use high clearance 4×4 vehicles, such as side-by-sides, jeeps, ATVs, and dirt bikes. Low clearance vehicles might be able to make it most of the way up this route, but we would not recommend them with the bumpy, tight, and windy turns through the upper section. Furthermore, these low-clearance vehicles are discouraged due to potential trail damage, bottoming out, and possible washouts running when weather arises. Certain segments randomly come about that can pose risks without proper maneuvering through the switchbacks and bumpy sections.

Getting To Mingus Mountain Viewpoints

Mingus Mountain Trail ( FR-413) can be accessed from Cottonwood, Arizona. To get to the trailhead turn towards the Cottonwood Airport at 89A/Mingus Avenue stop light intersection. Drive past Cottonwood Airport entrance and eventually you will go over a cattle guard as the road turns to dirt. Continue up this dirt road past Blowout Hiking Trail parking lot, and the road will become rougher the further you get along FR-413. Once you get to the extremely rough section, turn around and enjoy the three viewpoints along the route back down into Cottonwood..