Wing Mountain Road

Wing Mountain Road is all about camping among the Ponderosa Pines of the Coconino National Forest in Arizona's high country. Just north of Flagstaff, the area is perfect for campers headed to the Grand Canyon, traveling I-40, attending Overland EXPO West, or just wanting to get away. There are dozens of great campsites along Wing Mountain Road. Ravens and blue jays will undoubtedly take note of where you choose to camp. In the Fall, you'll hear elk bugling. Named for the cinder cone volcano just south of the road, Wing Mountain Road cuts through the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in North America. You'll see plenty of old stumps. When the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad reached Flagstaff in 1882, numerous lumber yards sprung up. The mills heavily harvested the virgin pine forest. They shipped lumber by rail as far away as Albuquerque and Los Angeles. The stumps of the cut trees remain, but there are ancient Ponderosa Pines still residing in the forest. The bark of young pines is black. Once reaching a hundred years old, the Ponderosas have an orange-yellow color to their bark. Loggers differentiate the two by calling them "blackjacks" and yellow bellies." The wind in the tops of the pines sings a very relaxing song. Stop and take a listen.