Course Description & History

The Black Canyon National Recreation Trail is approximately 80 miles and offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding. With roots tracing back to prehistoric Native American travelers and traders, this historic trail holds national significance. Established by the Department of the Interior in 1919 as a livestock driveway, it served woolgrowers herding sheep between Phoenix and the Bradshaw and Mingus Mountains. Still utilized as a cattle driveway north of highway 69, the trail concludes at the Prescott National Forest boundary. Originally a livestock pathway, the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail also parallels segments of the old Black Canyon stagecoach road between Phoenix and Prescott.

As part of the Black Canyon Ultras, runners will tackle a 55-mile section of this trail, commencing at Mayer High School in Spring Valley and finishing at the Emery Henderson Trailhead near New River. Along the route, participants will traverse Black Canyon and the Agua Fria river multiple times.

100K Course Map

50K Course Map

Black Canyon Training Runs

Supported by HOKA

Join us for a preview of the course covering the full 100K distance over three runs. Runners have a chance to learn the course, fine-tune their pace, test gear, and connect with fellow runners.

  • Run 1: Big Bug Trailhead to Bumblebee – November 17, 2024 | Distance: 18 miles
  • Run 2: Bumblebee to Black Canyon City – December 15, 2024 | Distance: 20 miles
  • Run 3: Black Canyon City to Emery/Finish – January 12, 2025 | Distance: 25 miles

INFO: What You Need to Know

  • No Fee, Limited Aid: The Black Canyon Training Runs are a no-fee event designed to help you prepare for the Black Canyon Ultras in a group run setting. While we’ll provide limited aid (water and snacks approximately halfway), it’s crucial to plan to be self-sufficient in terms of navigation, personal safety, and hydration between stations.
  • Navigation and Safety: The trails will not be marked prior to race day. Runners should prepare to navigate the course by the established trail markings installed by the BLM. Runners are also encouraged to download the GPX tracks of the course (below) and become familiar with the route.
  • Post Run Gathering: Join us for a post-run gathering. Bring along a camp chair, some snacks, and perhaps some beer to share. This is your chance to connect with a community of runners and relax after the run.

Trail Work

While we do not require trail work for the Black Canyon Ultras, we do encourage all runners to give back to the trails they love. Help us give back to the Black Canyon Trail Coalition by joining us on one of the three BCT Trail Work Days. We will be working on the Black Canyon Trail ahead of this year’s Black Canyon Ultras in December, January & February (dates below). Follow us on Facebook as we will post more specifics as we get closer. Please bring food, water, gloves and appropriate clothing. If we are working on the tread of the trail, we may ask you to wear pants and close-toed shoes. If you have brush clippers, please bring them as we may be trimming back overgrown vegetation.