Bloody Basin Road is a classic Arizona drive
Usa, north-america
67.59 km
1,522 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready for an epic Arizona adventure on Bloody Basin Road, located near Black Canyon City! This 42-mile dirt road (aka FR 269) winds through the Agua Fria National Monument and Tonto National Forest, offering a wild ride steeped in history.
The name comes from a grim event – the Battle of Turret Peak in 1873. Legend says the army stormed the camp at night, and in the chaos, some met their end jumping from the cliffs.
Just north of Phoenix in Yavapai County, this well-maintained road runs from Antelope Creek Road down to the Verde River and the iconic Sheep Bridge. This 476-foot suspension footbridge, originally built in 1943 and rebuilt in 1989, is a must-see!
While 4WD isn't usually required, high clearance is a good idea. Some sections get rocky and rutted, especially the final stretch down to Sheep Bridge. Passenger cars can make it, but expect a slow, bumpy ride. Watch out for semi-blind curves and be prepared for intense summer heat. Heavy rains can also wash out sections of the road.
Set aside around 6 hours to soak in the spectacular, remote scenery east of the Agua Fria River. The road climbs to 4,993ft, rewarding you with incredible views on a clear day. There are tons of places to pull over for photos, lunch breaks, or camping. Don't forget to check out the archaeological sites and petroglyphs along the way!
Where is it?
Bloody Basin Road is a classic Arizona drive is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 41.0370, -98.9717
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 67.59 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,522 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.0370, -98.9717
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