There’s not a lot of water in the desert and Parker Canyon Lake is our go-to spot for a swim in the summertime! This 130-acre “sky island” reservoir, located about 30 miles south of Sonoita, sits at 5,400 feet and offers a cool, alpine escape just a few miles north of the Mexican border.
Ride through the Coronado National Memorial over Montezuma Pass before heading north on easy dirt roads to Parker Canyon Lake. The lake and trails are open year-round. The 4.6-mile loop trail around the lake remains a popular moderately challenging activity for those wanting to stretch their legs after the ride.
The 28-mile stretch from the lake to Sonoita is a favorite for motorcyclists, featuring narrow, winding asphalt that transitions from dense oak and pine forests to rolling desert grasslands. Grab a bite to eat in Sonoita at the Copper Brothel Brewery before riding pavement back to Bisbee.
If you’re still looking for fun, head up the Carr Canyon route into the Huachuca Mountains after passing through Sierra Vista.
Details
- Location: Starts and ends at The Jonquil Motel in Bisbee, Arizona
- Distance: 135 mile loop
- Gas, Food & Lodging: Bisbee, Palominas, Whetstone, Sierra Vista
- Difficulty: Easy
- Road Surface: paved, gravel
- Time: half-day
- Connects to: Carr Canyon
Approximate Mileage
- Start – Circle K Bisbee – 0 miles
- Gas – Speedway Bisbee – 5 miles
- Gas – Chevron-Bisbee – 5 miles
- Gas – Palominas – 19 miles
- Coronado Visitor Center – 28 miles
- Start dirt – 29 miles
- Montezuma Pass – 31 miles
- Start – Border Coaster – 32 miles
- Parker Canyon Lake – 48 miles
- End dirt – 50 miles
- Gas – Whetstone – 86 miles
- Gas – Sierra Vista – 98 miles
- Start/End – Carr Canyon – 105 miles
- Hereford Bridge – 115 miles
- End – Circle K Bisbee – 135 miles
