Arizona · Hiking

Packard

PackardPhoto: Clay Gilliland, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
10.8 mi
round trip
1,270 ft
climb
4,899 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Packard open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Prescott National Forest. It doesn't name Packard, so check the source for the area it covers (5 listed).

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

Packard is a hard hike on the natural-surfaced trail in the Chino Valley Ranger District of Prescott National Forest in Arizona. It is an out-and-back route of about 10.8 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1,270 feet, leading from a low point of about 3,564 feet to a high of about 4,899 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The climb is a steady gain across the route, so plan for a full day on foot, and carry enough supplies for the whole trip. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Jerome, AZ, run to highs around 78°F in May and 71°F in October. Summer is hot, with July highs near 91°F and more wet days in August and September. The closest neighbor is Parsons #122, about 0.4 miles away. R.R. Draw, SOB Canyon and Lower Smasher all lie within about 5 miles.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Packard

    Best months: March–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      50° / 35°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      53° / 36°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      61° / 41°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      68° / 46°

      4 wet

    5. May

      78° / 55°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      89° / 66°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      91° / 68°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 67°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 62°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 53°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      58° / 42°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      49° / 34°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jerome, AZ, 8 mi away at 4,950 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Parsons #122Photo: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Parsons #122

Next door

7.32-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 99 ft gain.

R.R. DrawPhoto: Clay Gilliland, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

R.R. Draw

~4 min drive

6.53-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 770 ft elevation gain.

Lower SmasherPhoto: Chris English, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lower Smasher

~9 min drive

2.99-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 221 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Thumper

~12 min drive

Thumper is a 4.40-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 36 feet of elevation gain.

Casner MountainPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Casner Mountain

~11 min drive

13.77-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 2,046 ft elevation gain.

Verde River Greenway trailPhoto: jasonwoodhead23, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Verde River Greenway trail

~13 min drive

0.33-mile out-and-back trail on the Verde River Greenway in Arizona.

HIKE

Dogie #116

~13 min drive

5.60-mile lollipop trail in Arizona with 810 ft elevation gain.

Mooney #12Photo: vaxomatic, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mooney #12

~15 min drive

14 mi · Hard

TUZI Tavasci Marsh TrailPhoto: jasonwoodhead23, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

TUZI Tavasci Marsh Trail

~13 min drive

1.08-mile loop in Arizona with 158 ft gain and 160 ft loss.

HIKE

Bill Ensign

~15 min drive

3.53-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 12 ft of elevation gain.