Arizona's Historic Western City Boasts Exciting Outdoor Adventures, Trails, And Cowboy Fun

Arizona is famously called the Grand Canyon State and enchants visitors with its vast deserts, year-round sunshine, and legendary landmarks like the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. Roughly 85% of its land is dedicated to national forests, parks, wildlife preserves, and tribal territories, hosting 22 Native American tribes – the state has the highest percentage of Native American-designated land in the United States. This rugged, varied terrain sets the stage for Prescott, a historic Western town celebrated for its cowboy heritage, thrilling outdoor pursuits, and scenic trails.

Located in central Arizona at 5,200 feet above sea level, Prescott is a two-hour drive north of Phoenix, just under two hours south of Flagstaff, and about 3.5 hours southeast of Las Vegas. Travelers can fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, then drive or take a shuttle for about $50 one-way. Alternatively, regional flights from cities including Denver and Los Angeles to Prescott Regional Airport allow for a closer arrival. Add Prescott to your scenic road trip through the Southwest for an even bigger adventure.

The downtown area is delightfully walkable. With four distinct, mild seasons, Prescott shines year-round. Summers bring warm days and rains, autumn offers stunning foliage and events, winter turns it into "Arizona's Christmas City" with snow and lights, and spring invites exploration amid blooming renewal.

Founded in 1864 amid a gold rush, Prescott thrives as an authentic Western town steeped in cowboy lore leaving a vibrant and proud homegrown culture. Whiskey Row, a downtown strip of saloons, reflects this past — once numbering nearly 40 before a fire struck, it's now a mix of live music, art galleries, and historic bars like The Palace. It is known as Arizona's oldest bar, where period-costumed staff and live music set the Old West scene. Don't miss Prescott's Frontier Days, home to the world's oldest rodeo, and an award-winning rodeo at that! Lace up those cowboy boots and giddy-up, partner.

Museums abound: Sharlot Hall Museum spans 4 acres with heritage exhibits, the Phippen Museum honors Western art, and the Museum of Indigenous People showcases Native traditions. This historic downtown, centered on Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza, boasts over 800 registered buildings – explore it through guided tours or the self-led Prescott Heritage Trail. For immersive fun, don't miss Blazin' M, a frontier town experience complete with bull riding, wagon rides, live music, and axe throwing.

The landscape dazzles with 1.2 million acres of Prescott National Forest, where the desert meets ponderosa pines, lakes, and giant granite boulders. Boasting about 277 sunny days a year, it's an outdoor reaction playground. This raw beauty fuels endless adventure – camping, rafting, mountain biking, fishing, and nearly 450 miles of trails for hiking, biking, or horseback riding. Lynx Lake beckons with trout fishing, boating, and bird watching. Five other lakes in the area and 16 city parks expand the outdoor playground.

The Granite Dells, near Willow and Watson Lakes, is a breathtaking park in Arizona with unique and dramatic rock formations and more than 600 climbing routes. Numerous guiding outfitters are available to help get you going vertical. Kayaking and hiking in the area rounds out the fun. Granite Mountain also offers top-tier ascents with more than 100 "trad" climbing routes, a premier area in the state. Off-road tours rumble through the forest for a rugged twist on adventuring through the ponderosa forest. Prescott is a charming small town in Arizona, full of Western spirit and outdoor adventure.