Guides/Overland routes/Arizona
Overland route11 midifficulty: easy

Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420)

RegionArizonaAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420) — overland route near Flagstaff, Arizona, Arizona
USDA Forest Service
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
11mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance 2WD in dry conditions; 4WD after monsoon storms or in late-spring mud.
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Drops out at the pavement end and returns near US-89.
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Schultz Pass Road, signed Forest Road 420, is the 11-mile dirt cutoff that runs between Mount Elden and the San Francisco Peaks on Coconino National Forest's Flagstaff Ranger District. The road begins on the north edge of Flagstaff at the end of Schultz Pass Road, climbs through ponderosa pine to the saddle at 8,200 feet, and drops to US-89 near Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. The Inner Basin Trail, the standard approach to the Peaks' interior caldera, leaves the road at the high point.

The road is graded gravel for most of its length with a few rocky stretches near the saddle. High-clearance 2WD handles it without trouble in dry conditions. Snow closes it from December through April most years and the road can remain wet from spring snowmelt into May. The route is the most-used overlander introduction to the country north of Flagstaff, with quick access to dispersed camping along Forest Road 418, FR 522, and FR 552.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Winter closure. Snow closes the saddle from late December through April most years.
  • Slick when wet. Spring snowmelt and monsoon rain make the saddle muddy. 4WD recommended in those conditions.
  • Lightning. Summer monsoon storms strike the Peaks regularly. Avoid the saddle during active storms.
  • Tire damage. Volcanic rock punctures sidewalls. Carry a spare.
  • Wildlife. Elk are abundant; drive at moderate speed at dawn and dusk.

Location

11 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 35.279, -111.633

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townFlagstaff, Arizona
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/coconino
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Approx. location35.279, -111.633

Getting there

Directions

From Flagstaff (western entry). Take US-180 north from downtown about three miles. Turn east on Schultz Pass Road. The pavement ends at the entrance to Coconino NF.

From US-89 (eastern entry). From the US-89 / Loop Road junction at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, drive south on US-89 about four miles. Turn west on Forest Road 420.

Photos

3 photos

Photos · 3

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Schultz Pass cuts between Mount Elden's east face and the San Francisco Peaks' southeast slopes, the saddle that the Lockett Meadow access road exits on its way to the Inner Basin. Coconino NF's Flagstaff Ranger District manages the road. The west end is on the north edge of Flagstaff off US-180 and Schultz Pass Road; the east end joins US-89 about four miles south of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

Trail Overview

Eleven miles point-to-point, graded gravel. The road climbs gradually from Flagstaff through ponderosa to the saddle at 8,200 feet, then descends through aspen and Gambel oak to the pinyon-juniper of the Painted Desert basin. The road is wide enough for two-way traffic throughout, with pullouts at the trailheads. The Inner Basin Trail, Weatherford Trail, and Sunset Trail all leave the road at the saddle.

Points of Interest

  • Lockett Meadow. A glacial cirque inside the San Francisco Peaks reached by FR 552 north of the saddle. USFS-developed campground; the access road is rough and signed for high-clearance vehicles.
  • Inner Basin Trail. Hiking trail into the volcanic caldera of the Peaks, leaving the saddle.
  • Mount Elden. The 9,300-foot peak on the south side of the road. Cinder cones and volcanic flows are visible from the road.
  • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Just east of the route's eastern terminus on US-89.
  • Wupatki National Monument. North of Sunset Crater on a paved loop. Sinagua pueblo ruins.

Where to Camp

Lockett Meadow Campground (USFS-developed) sits in a glacial cirque off FR 552 north of the saddle. Reservations through Recreation.gov fill quickly in summer. Bonito Campground (USFS-developed) sits at the eastern terminus near Sunset Crater. Dispersed camping is allowed on Coconino NF land off the main road with the standard 14-day stay limit; the corridor along FR 418 north of the saddle is heavily used and many sites are designated.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Run the route in fall when aspen turn yellow on the Peaks' lower flanks. Mid- to late-September is the peak window.
  • Check road status before going. The road closes for snow from late December into April most years.
  • Lockett Meadow Campground is small and fills early. Book months ahead for summer.
  • Cell service drops at the saddle. Carry an offline map.
  • The Flagstaff Ranger District (928-526-0866) handles current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420)?
Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420) is rated easy. The route runs 11 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420)?
High-clearance 2WD in dry conditions; 4WD after monsoon storms or in late-spring mud.
When is the best time to visit Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420)?
The best months are May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Is there cell service at Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420)?
Drops out at the pavement end and returns near US-89.