Peavine-Iron King Combo

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

You can ride almost 20 miles on easy dirt trails with gentle grades. This route has the highest scenery/difficulty ratio of any ride I know. Views of Watson Lake and the Prescott Dells abound. Excellent for a family or a large group.

Four parking options:
1) North end of the Peavine Trail (free).
2) South end of the Peavine Trail ($3 as of 2023).
3) Watson Lake South Boat Ramp ($3 as of 2023).
4) East End of the Iron King Trail (free).

This route passes four potential starting/parking points. Riders can start at any of them. This description begins at the north end of the Peavine Trail just off of Hwy 89A. Starting here allows for a nice downhill finish to the ride.

Beginning at the parking area, the trail begins with a gentle uphill grade for the first 3 miles. After 2 1/4 miles there is an intersection with the Iron King Trail. Continue straight. The old railroad grade passes through the beautiful granite of the Prescott Dells and passes a picturesque viewpoint of one inlet of Watson Lake. The trail continues through the Dells before emerging along the east side of the main body of Watson Lake.

Past the lake, there is a side trail that angles down to the right. Following this trail will lead around the south end of the lake and emerge at the south boat ramp of Watson Lake, a possible parking point. This is a nice spot for a rest about 6 miles in. There are usually ducks and geese around.

Returning back to the Peavine Trail, and continuing briefly south, leads to the south trailhead for the Peavine trail. The route then returns north along the Peavine Trail again through the beautiful Dells to the Iron King Trail junction. Following the Iron King Trail, the route goes uphill gently for a mile and then descends downhill for 2 miles to the end of the trail. There is a parking area at the intersection of Santa Fe Loop Rd and Granville Fairway. There is also a bench just outside the dog park for a nice rest 13 miles into the ride. The trail comes out onto pavement a block short of the parking area.

The last mile of the descent of the Iron King Trail goes through what used to be nice grassland but is rapidly being developed into Prescott Valley neighborhoods.

Returning back up the Iron King Trail the route returns to the Peavine Trail and turns right. The last 2 1/4 miles is gentle, but fun downhill back to the starting point.

This route follows old railroad grades that have been turned into trails.