Prescott National Forest at Your Doorstep

Your Backyard is the Bradshaws

Endless Recreation

The Bradshaw Mountains Are Your Playground

Goswick Ranch sits on the edge of the Bradshaw Ranger District of Prescott National Forest. Hundreds of miles of trail — for hikers, horseback riders, and OHV enthusiasts — begin within minutes of your front door.

Prescott National Forest

Bradshaw Ranger District

The Bradshaw Ranger District borders Goswick Ranch on multiple sides, offering immediate access to one of Arizona's most varied national forests — from chaparral foothills to ponderosa pine ridge tops exceeding 7,900 feet.

Featured Trails

  • Mount Union Summit — 2-mile trail to 7,969 ft; highest point in the Bradshaws; panoramic views
  • Groom Creek Loop (#307) — 9.3-mile loop through ponderosa pine to Spruce Mountain summit (7,696 ft)
  • Big Bug Mesa Trail #9434 — 12.83 miles; 890 ft elevation gain; ~5 hours; historic mining camp
  • Little Granite Mountain — 7.2-mile moderate hike with dramatic granite formations
  • Salida Gulch — 4-mile trail with creek crossings and canyon scenery

Dispersed Camping

Free dispersed camping is available throughout the Bradshaw District — 14-day limit, 100 ft from roads, 200 ft from water. No permit required.

Bradshaw Ranger District: (928) 443-8000

Aerial view of forested Bradshaw ridge with private road
OHV & Hiking

Big Bug Mesa

Big Bug Mesa rises to 6,926 feet at Five Corners, approximately 5–10 miles from Goswick Ranch via Poland Road. This high-elevation plateau is a hub for motorized recreation, hiking, and backcountry camping in the Bradshaws.

Five Corners is a crossroads of five forest roads — a natural hub where trails, OHV routes, and backcountry roads converge amid sweeping Bradshaw Mountain panoramas.

Equestrian

Horse Country — 450+ Miles of Trail

Goswick Ranch is RCU-2A zoned, which means horses and livestock are welcome. With 9-acre minimum lots and direct forest access, this is true equestrian country.

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Prescott National Forest Trails

Over 450 miles of horse-accessible trails in Prescott National Forest. Trail system connects from the Bradshaw foothills to the Granite Mountain Wilderness and beyond.
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Groom Creek Horse Camp

30 miles away at 6,398 ft elevation. Each site has a 16'×16' steel corral and tether line for 2–4 horses. Connects to Wolf Creek Loop and Groom Creek Loop trails.
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Foothills Ranch Trail Rides

Guided trail rides available 7 minutes away in Mayer at Foothills Ranch. 1.5-hr to 3-hr excursions through Big Bug Creek, Grapevine Springs, and historic mine sites. Ages 5+.

Foothills Ranch (7 minutes from Goswick Ranch)

7250 S State Route 69, Mayer, AZ 86333 · (928) 379-0260 · Open 7 days/week by appointment
1.5-hr ride: $95/person · 2-hr ride: $125/person · 3-hr ride: $250/person

Hunting

Game Management Units 20A & 20B

Goswick Ranch falls within Arizona Game & Fish GMUs 20A and 20B — well-regarded units for diverse big game and upland bird hunting throughout the Bradshaw Mountains.

  • Mule deer — abundant at all elevations year-round
  • Merriam's turkey — spring shotgun + fall archery seasons; stable populations in higher Bradshaws
  • Javelina — common in rocky washes and prickly pear stands
  • Gambel's quail — excellent upland bird hunting in chaparral foothills
  • Pronghorn — Unit 20A is a trophy pronghorn unit
  • Black bear — distributed throughout the Bradshaw forest
  • Coyote — year-round; abundant

AZ hunting license: Resident $37/yr · Non-resident $55/yr — verify current rates at azgfd.com

Fishing

Lakes & Streams Within Easy Reach

Multiple fishable waters are accessible within 30–45 miles of Goswick Ranch, offering a range of species and settings from mountain lakes to reservoir fishing.

  • Lynx Lake — 28 miles; 5,500 ft; historically stocked with trout, bass, and crappie — currently drained (as of 2024); confirm before visiting
  • Horsethief Basin Lake — 20–25 miles; 5,800 ft; bluegill, bass, catfish
  • Watson Lake — 30 miles; Prescott; scenic granite-boulder shoreline
  • Willow Lake — 31 miles; Important Bird Area; 156 recorded species
  • Yavapai Lakes — 22 miles; multiple stocked ponds
  • Lake Pleasant — 40–45 miles; large reservoir fishing

AZ fishing license: Resident $37/yr · Non-resident $55/yr — verify current rates at azgfd.com

Day Trips

Arizona's Best, All Within Reach

Goswick Ranch's central location puts some of Arizona's most celebrated destinations within a comfortable day-trip range.

14 miles · Ghost Town

Crown King

Historic gold mining town at 5,771 ft. Crown King Saloon, general store, 1917 schoolhouse, and breathtaking Bradshaw Mountain scenery along Senator Highway.

27 miles · Historic Downtown

Prescott

America's top-5 retirement destination. Whiskey Row, Courthouse Plaza, World's Oldest Rodeo (July), vibrant dining and arts scene at 5,368 ft elevation.

45 miles · Red Rock Country

Sedona

World-famous red rock formations, Tlaquepaque arts village, jeep tours, and dozens of hiking trails. A spectacular 45-minute drive south through Verde Valley.

30 miles · Historic Mining Town

Jerome

Perched on Mingus Mountain, this National Historic Landmark was once Arizona's fourth largest city. Art galleries, wine, and the most dramatic hillside views in the state.

15–20 miles · National Monument

Agua Fria National Monument

Free, 24/7 access to permanent river pools, cascades, and the Perry Mesa Archaeological Complex — Pueblo la Plata with ~100 rooms, built AD 1250–1450.

43 miles · Wine Country

Verde Valley Wine Trail

Over 30 wineries and tasting rooms in and around Cottonwood, Cornville, and Clarkdale. One of Arizona's fastest-growing wine regions, framed by red rock canyon scenery.

Birding

An Exceptional Birding Location

Arizona ranks among the top three states in the nation for bird diversity — over 550 species recorded statewide. Goswick Ranch's chaparral-to-ponderosa transition zone is precisely the elevation band that attracts the widest variety of species.

On Your Property

Raptors (golden eagle, red-tailed hawk), broad-tailed hummingbirds (breeding April–August), acorn and Lewis's woodpeckers, Steller's and scrub jays, mountain bluebirds in winter.

Watson & Willow Lakes IBA

30–31 miles away. An Important Bird Area with 156 recorded species. Spectacular granite shorelines and year-round water attract exceptional diversity.