Arizona · Hiking · Near Kachina Village

Elden Lookout Trail

Elden Lookout TrailPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
2.6 mi
distance
3,904 ft
climb
9,281 ft
high point
Lollipop
route

Is Elden Lookout Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Coconino National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Coconino National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Elden Lookout Trail is a hard hike of about 2.6 miles in a loop, rising from 6,884 feet to 9,281 feet. It sits in the Flagstaff Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in Arizona, on land managed by the Forest Service, and the climb totals about 3,900 feet. The trail is rated hard, and the route is a loop, so the full 3,900 feet of elevation gain is for one complete circuit. The trail is open to both horses and bikes, which makes it a flexible option for riders and pack animals. The trip takes about three hours, and the parking area is labeled "MT ELDEN." Several other spots lie close by. Fatmans Loop and Elden Lookout, both mountain biking routes, are within a quarter mile. Secret Canyon and The Carnal Caves, climbing areas, are about half a mile away. For an overnight stay, Little Elden Springs Horsecamp is roughly 2.3 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    KOA Holiday - Flagstaff

    Campground

    Campground · 0.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    McDonald's

    Fast food

    On your way back · 1 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Museum of Northern Arizona research facility

    Museum

    On your way back · 4 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Kachina Village

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Christmas TreePhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Christmas Tree

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Arizona Trail-Little EldenPhoto: Fire At Will [Photography], CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Arizona Trail-Little Elden

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An easy 5.78-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona that connects to Sandy Seep, ideal for hikers of all levels.

Arizona Trail-Mount EldenPhoto: Fire At Will [Photography], CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Arizona Trail-Mount Elden

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Sunset TrailPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Sunset Trail

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Heart TrailPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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DD TrailPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Tom Moody Loop TrailPhoto: Bobby Chin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tom Moody Loop Trail

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Blue Dot TrailPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Blue Dot Trail

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Sandy Seep TrailPhoto: Bobby Chin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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~3 min drive

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Pipeline TrailPhoto: cogdogblog, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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Route details

Distance
2.6 mi
Climbing
About 3,904 ft
Starts at
MT ELDEN (about 7,462 ft)
Summit
9,303 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 3 hours

Getting there

Park at MT ELDEN.

Other routes up Elden Mountain

Questions about this route

How long is the Elden Lookout Trail on Elden Mountain?

About 2.6 mi from MT ELDEN (about 7,462 ft).

How much elevation gain is on the Elden Lookout Trail?

About 3,904 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Elden Lookout Trail?

It is rated hard.

Where does the Elden Lookout Trail start?

MT ELDEN (about 7,462 ft).

How long does the Elden Lookout Trail take?

About 3 hours round trip.

How many routes go up Elden Mountain?

2: Elden Lookout Trail and Sunset Trail.

Conditions and forecast on Elden Mountain

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors