CREEKSIDE BACK-COUNTRY
TOUR TO PRESCOTT
(Through Senator Highway)
This is the old pioneer miners road which goes from Crown King over the Bradshaw mountains. This is a rough 4x4 type road that most people never see. You will be traveling partly over what is called "The Senator Highway." The word "Highway" is a misnomer - it's a dirt road.
The first 10 miles: You leave the Creekside Lodge and go to the town of Mayer. From Mayer you leave the pavement and head up the dirt road to Pine Flat and the ghost town of Goodwin.
The first 7 or 8 miles are high desert. You cross a few creeks and some old mines. There are a few good vista areas where you can see for miles.
This is unspoiled old time cowboy and gold miners’ country. You see what the first pioneers saw. This is an adventure through little-traveled back country mountains that many never get a chance to see. Renew your spirit as you get away from it all into the land of the early pioneers. This is a trip you will want to tell all your friends about.
When you reach the Senator Highway you will turn right towards Prescott. You cross a creek and will be in the pines. Travel about 20 miles to reach Prescott. Most of this road is dirt and rough. It is the old road that miners used years ago to get from Prescott to the gold-rich Crown King area.
Along the way you will pass many old mines, ranches, ghost towns and the famous Palace Station. Palace Station was a stage stop build in 1874 and 1878, it was a midway point on top of the Bradshaw Mountains. Palace Station was also one of a lot of old small gold finding towns on the way to the mother lode in Crown King. One really cool building that is still standing is the oldest house ever built in Arizona. We will take a 15 minute stop here. Be sure to bring your camera.
From Palace Station you will travel towards Prescott. Eventually you will come to the old community of Groom Creek. From there you are almost to Prescott.
In Prescott you can take a break. You can walk around the old courthouse square, or go get a meal. You can walk down famous “Whiskey Row” where many old west bars and other buildings are still standing and operating.
From Prescott you can load up and return to Mayer down paved roads.
Palace Station on Senator Highway
HIstoric Photo of Senator Highway
The Old Senator Mine
