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By Mila Lira
The Copper Corridor is encompasses two national forests (Tonto and Coronado), much of the lands in the southern part of the corridor near the Gila River are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. If you are using these lands please make sure to check on any rules and restrictions for camping, and exploring. The Copper Corridor is home to many private mines and ranches, most of these lands are not open for public access.
Off Highway Vehicle users will find plenty of areas to four wheel drive and get off the highways to explore the Copper Corridor. There are many existing trails and loops throughout the Copper Corridor. Some of the more frequented loops are in the Tonto National Forest near Superior.
There are also ample four wheeling opportunities of off Highway 177 in the White Canyon and Cochran area. The Town of Kearny has developed the Mescal Mountain OHV Park.
If you are not planning on using a four wheel drive vehicle but would like to wonder off the beaten path consider taking a drive on the Florence-Kelvin Highway. This is a dirt road but connects the north eastern part of the corridor with Florence, the Pinal County seat. Both forests also have some roads that are open for passenger vehicles and you do not need four wheel drive or high clearance vehicles to access.
Hiking and Biking in the Corridor
There is nothing like a relaxing hike or bike ride to engage your senses. The Copper Corridor is proud to have the Arizona National Scenic Trail travel through a majority of the Copper Corridor; nine of the 11 Copper Corridor communities are considered Gateway Communities to the Arizona Trail. The trail is a non-motorized trail that travels from the southern border of Arizona at Mexico to the northern border with Utah. The trail is more than 800 miles of exclusive access for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrian users. The main trailheads in the Copper Corridor to access the AZT is at Oracle State Park, the Picket Post trailhead near Superior and the Kelvin Riverside Trailhead off of the Kearny/Kelvin highway. There are plenty of opportunities for short hikes in the area on the Arizona Trail but if you are planning on doing a through hike make sure to visit the AZT website to download their guide book.
In December of 2011 the Arizona Trail Association celebrated the completion of the 800 mile trail when they completed the last segment between Picket Post and Kelvin. This segment is said to be one of the most exhilarating segments of the entire Arizona Trail due to its terrain, and construction. This segment of the trail takes users to areas of Arizona that are only accessible via the Arizona Trail.
The Town of Superior recently opened the first gateway connector trail called the Legends of Superior Trails. You can access this trail at the Hewitt Station Road Trail head just north of US 60. The six-mile trek will lead you through the remains of Pinal City and point out many interpretive spots. The desert segment of the trail ends at the Superior Airport and picks up again off of 177 near Queen Creek through the Canyon Segment of the Trail.
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