Hellsgate Wilderness

Hellsgate Wilderness is a 37,457-acre federally protected wilderness area in Arizona managed by the Forest Service. It offers backcountry hiking and backpacking in a primitive, non-motorized setting where solitude and self-reliance are central to the experience.

This is genuine wilderness: no roads, no motors, no mechanized travel of any kind. You'll find yourself in remote terrain accessible only on foot or horseback. All visitors are expected to follow Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in, camp away from water sources, and move lightly through the landscape.

Access requires shuttle arrangements or a vehicle at a trailhead; there are no developed facilities within the wilderness itself. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions, though summer is also viable. Winter can bring snow and cold that make travel difficult. Plan carefully, bring a map and compass or GPS, and be prepared to navigate and camp entirely self-sufficiently.