If time outdoors is part of your reason for looking at northwest Arizona, get to know the places beyond the property line. Mount Tipton Wilderness and the Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area offer two different ways to explore the landscape. One calls for more backcountry preparation; the other offers a network of established trails near Kingman.
Mount Tipton: a rugged wilderness outing
The Bureau of Land Management places Mount Tipton Wilderness about 25 miles north of Kingman, in the northern Cerbat Mountains. Its description highlights the Cerbat Pinnacles, rows of maroon-colored rock spires below Mount Tipton. Hiking, photography, backpacking and horseback riding are among the activities listed for the area.
This is not the same experience as arriving at a paved park trailhead. BLM describes extremely rugged terrain, with washes serving as commonly used hiking routes. It lists high-clearance vehicles as necessary for the described access routes and recommends four-wheel drive for most of them. Check the route and current conditions before leaving, and choose an outing that matches your experience and equipment.
Cerbat Foothills: choose a trail near Kingman
For a different kind of day outside, look at the Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area. Cooperatively managed by the City of Kingman and BLM, it includes a trail network through desert scrub and semi-desert grassland. BLM lists routes including Badger, Monolith Garden and Foothills Rim, along with connecting trails.
Use the current map to choose a route and turnaround point. Do not assume that a trail name means a short or easy walk. General visits are free, but the recreation area is day-use only; BLM says camping and overnight parking are not permitted at its trailheads.
Plan for the season and respect boundaries
BLM identifies October through April as the more favorable visiting period for both areas. That does not remove the need to check the forecast. Mount Tipton can have cold conditions and snow at higher elevations, while summer heat is a serious consideration. Carry your own water and prepare for the route rather than depending on finding supplies along the way.
Keep the rules for each place separate. Bicycles and motorized travel are generally prohibited inside designated wilderness. Some land around and within Mount Tipton Wilderness is not federally administered, so respect private property and obtain permission where needed.
For property buyers, an outdoor visit can help clarify what “near the mountains” means to you. Check the actual drive from any parcel rather than judging from a map alone.
Contact Elise Harron at Dirt Road Real Estate: (928) 897-1364, dirtroadelise@gmail.com or dirtroadrealestate.com.
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