CuteCamper
Lava Flow Trail
Lava Flow Trail, in the 34,400-acre Table Top Wilderness, offers a hiking opportunity of light to moderate difficulty in a varied and dramatic Sonoran Desert landscape. Three trailheads are linked by a relatively level 7 1/4-mile trail. From south to north, the trail meanders through dense forests of saguaro, paloverde, ironwood, and cholla; skirts the jumbled basaltic slopes of Black Mountain; traverses an extensive creosote-bush flat; and crosses several large washes. Lava Flow Trail provides sweeping views of Vekol Valley and the Sand Tank Mountains to the west, while flat-topped Table Top Mountain -- highest point in the Table Top Wilderness -- looms to the east.
Only hiking and equestrian use is allowed in wilderness under the Wilderness Act of 1964. Motorized vehicles and mountain bikes are prohibited in wilderness.
RecAreaDirections
A high-clearance vehicle is required to access Lava Flow South Trailhead. Four-wheel drive is required to access Lava Flow North and West trailheads.
Lava Flow Trail is accessed at three points. Exit Interstate 8 at the Vekol Valley Interchange (Exit 144) approximately 26 miles east of Gila Bend and 34 miles west of Casa Grande.
To access Lava Flow West and South trailheads, travel south on Vekol Valley Road (BLM Route 8007) 2.1 miles to the Vekol Ranch turnoff. An information kiosk will be on your right. For the West trailhead, continue south on Route 8007 for 5.7 miles. Turn left on BLM Route 8046 and travel 2 miles to the trailhead. For the South trailhead, continue for 8.7 miles south from the kiosk to BLM Route 8024. Turn left onto Route 8024 and travel 3.7 miles to the trailhead.
To access Lava Flow North Trailhead, travel south on Vekol Valley Road 0.7 miles from Interstate 8 and turn east onto BLM Route 8043. Continue east 2.8 miles to Route 8042. Turn right and drive 2.3 miles, keep left to stay on Route 8042, and continue 3.3 miles to the trailhead.
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Permits info
Facilities
South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Area Facility
The 60,100-acre South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness is located in southwestern Maricopa County, 16 miles east of Gila Bend and 30 miles southwest of Phoenix, Arizona.
This wilderness includes 13 miles of the Maricopa Mountain range, a low elevation Sonoran Desert range, and extensive desert plains. The eastern part of the wilderness has an isolated and screened mountainous interior, formed by long ridges and isolated peaks, separated by plains and washes. The western part is dominated by desert flats fronting the east-west trending Maricopa Mountains ridgeline.
This area's large size, varied landforms, and wildness provide outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. Hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, camping, wildlife observation and photography are some activities both experienced and family-oriented outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy. Desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, coyotes, bobcat, fox, deer, Gambel's quail and various raptors also inhabit the wilderness. Saguaro, cholla, and ocotillo, paloverde and mesquite are among the many plant species.
