Crown King is about 2 hours north of Phoenix in the Bradshaw Mountains. There are two typical ways to get there. The first way is taking the Bumblee Bee exit 248 off of I-17 North. Once you exit the highway you will turn left and follow the dirt road through the ghost towns of Bumble Bee and Cleator. The road is a dirt road but well-maintained and doable in most cars. A 4x4 or high clearance vehicle is not necessary when traveling this route. Cleator is home to the unique Cleator Bar and Yacht Club. We always make it a point to stop for a cold drink when passing through. As you pass Cleator you will soon be making your way up the scenic switchbacks that take you up through Crown King. The other route is known as the "back way" to Crown King. This road requires a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle combined with some off-roading experience. It begins near Lake Pleasant and can take several hours to reach Crown King.
Once you reach Crown King you can choose to enjoy many of the hiking/riding trails or have a meal at the Crown King Cafe and Saloon, the oldest continuously run saloon in the state. Regardless of how you decide to spend your time in Crown King, it is a nice escape from the heat of the Phoenix summers. At an elevation of 5771 feet it can be 20 degrees or so cooler than Phoenix. It's a great little day trip for those who enjoy scenic rides and historic towns.
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