7 Reasons to Visit Crown King, Arizona

Only an hour north of Phoenix, a pine wonderland can be found. Northern Arizona is home to vast forests and cool and hospitable summers. Crown King, Arizona, is a tucked-away little town that recently garnered attention because of a series of large fires. The isolated community with deep mining roots is humble, eclectic, rustic, and fun.

After the recent nearby Gladiator fire sparked my concern over the town, I gladly found it to be intact. The town and the beautiful mountain views went undamaged, and now is a better time than ever to visit this little wonder. As a matter of fact, here are seven reasons to take the trip.

The General Store

This place opened in 1904 after the original burned down. It sells just about anything you need. Personally, the ice cream and fudge are the draw, but this general store/post office is also a great place to search for your new favorite roadside curio. As a kid, my dad drove up to Crown King the back way from Lake Pleasant, we survived (barely), and the general store ice cream tasted better than any dessert I'd ever had. An ancient apple tree that locals remember as "just always there" shades the entire front patio. Enjoy your sweets on a bench and inhale the fresh pine air.

Cabin Rentals

When you think of cabin living, Crown King offers up a real cabin, not a mountainside mansion -- think affordable, humble, and family-friendly. I enjoyed the Bradshaw Mountain Guest Ranch. The Guest Ranch is a quiet and enjoyable bed-and-breakfast resort that is family-built, family-operated, and in business for almost 40 years. Previously, the proprietors owned the aforementioned Crown King General Store.

"Our rates are all-inclusive (tax, breakfast, Wi-Fi, and satellite TV with premium channels). Amenities include fully appointed kitchens, private entrances and decks, private bath, temperature-controlled accommodations, charcoal grills, horseshoe pit, hammocks, etc.," said Taryn Denyce about her establishment. Click here and scroll down to make a reservation and get directions.

Ghost Towns

In the 1800s prospectors discovered gold in the Bradshaw Mountains. In particular, the town of Crown King developed because of the Crown King gold mine. Oro Belle, Palace Station, Bradshaw City, Goodwin, Alexandra, and Cleator are just a few of the 40 ghost towns in the area. In most cases, only foundations exist, but with a good ghost town guide book, an adventurous family could spend a long weekend searching out those forgotten locations. Cleator, for example, can be found along the way to Crown King. It is a grouping of shacks still owned by descendents of the original area's prospectors. A popular bar rests in the middle of this town on a dirt road.

A Romantic Getaway

Sometimes couples get so plugged into work and the electronic devices of the modern world that they never get a chance to unplug and join together. "In Crown King, you can enjoy secluded locations and distinctive views. Take long romantic walks, enjoy the stars, or hike in the beautiful Prescott National Forest," Denyce commented about her days in Crown King.

The Spring Chili Cook-Off

Few events espouse Southwestern cowboy culture more than a chili cook-off. Especially when said cook-off still ties back to the days of chuck wagons, mining, and cattle rustling. This Crown King Saloon-sponsored event receives entries from all over. There are prizes and chili-tasting drink specials and live local entertainment.

Saloon Events

Speaking of the chili cook-off, it is hosted by the local saloon, a hot spot that has history. The saloon moved into Crown King in 1906 from the now-ghost town of Oro Belle. Today, it is part of the lifeblood of the community and offers interesting entertainment you wouldn't find anywhere else. Check their calendar -- there is something fun at the saloon almost every month. For example, January's Dead Celebrity Ball is a saloon-sponsored event where people dress up in costumes of a celebrity. Participants compete for best costume prizes and get drink specials. Later in the spring is the Horseshoe Pitch with great food, entertainment, and cash prizes, as well. In July when the Pony Express gallops through town, the riders literally take a detour through the Crown King Saloon on horseback.

Family Fun

A bustling saloon may sound unappealing to young families, but this former mining town is an appropriate place to bring the entire group. As I mentioned earlier, it is one of my happiest childhood vacation memories. I spent plenty of time camping just outside of town, and camp spots are plentiful to my memory. Visitors and locals alike partake in fishing, birdwatching, hiking, quad rentals, stargazing, and appreciation of the wonder of the Bradshaws.

A Place for All Seasons

Crown King is all about blue skies, fresh mountain air, a mild climate, and four hospitable seasons. In the summer visitors encounter refreshing monsoons and warm afternoons. In the fall you'll find changing autumn leaves that shower the ground. In the spring you'll find mountains blanketed with colorful wildflowers. If you wait until winter, those same mountains are covered with soft snow. Visit the Chamber of Commerce or the local websites for more information.