Get Back to Nature in Acker Park

It’s possible that Acker Park is the most popular park in Prescott you’ve never been to.

It’s just a mile east of

Courthouse Plaza but tucked between rambling neighborhoods that segue seamlessly into the 80 acres donated to the City by James S.

Acker, who also inspired the December Acker

Night fundraisers for music scholarships.

It’s been preserved as open space for people to take a leisurely hike and learn about the area’s vegetation and wildlife.

The educational opportunities are endless along the main loop trail, with signs identifying everything from oaks, ponderosas, pinyons and alligator junipers to banana yucca, cliffroses and skunkbush. Bluebird nesting boxes dot the southern end of the loop.

The loop’s main access is the trailhead where

South Virginia Street dead ends at the northwest corner of the park. Users can cross the bridge over Granite Creek to reach the path, with the option of turning left onto the Hilltop Trail to reach the park’s highest point early in your journey or saving it for the end, by turning right on the Powerline Trail.

The Hilltop Trail weaves through lush shrubbery before approaching the top of the hill and a stunning vista of most of Prescott’s major peaks, including Thumb Butte, Granite Mountain, Badger Mountain, Williams Peak and even the San Francisco Peaks by Flagstaff on clear days.

Metal panoramic signs identify each peak, and you’ll also find a labyrinth laid out on top of the white granite at the summit.

Continuing south on the Ridge Trail, you’ll get familiar with Prescott’s eastern horizon and see many small signs bearing inspirational nature-related quotes from the likes of John Muir, John Burroughs and John Ruskin.

This is the best time of year to visit the park, as the trails gets muddy after winter rain and snow.

ACKER PARK TRAILS

The trails within Acker Park are known collectively as the Barrie Mayes Memorial Trail System, honoring the tireless trail advocate who led the development of its trails.

The Mural Trail winds past several brilliant artworks to the entrance of the International Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery, where park founder James S. Acker is buried. It hooks into the Summerfield Trail to the south end of the park.

The Hillcrest Trail takes you on a detour from the northeast section of the main loop trail. On the loop’s south end is the short Tom’s Trail, with a new “story walk” honoring five female minority STEM professionals.

Acker Park’s main parking areas are at 421 S. Virginia St., reached by taking Virginia south from Gurley Street or turning east on Oak Street from Mount Vernon Street/Senator Highway. There are smaller lots where the Hillcrest Trail meets Eastwood Drive and Autumn Breeze Road at the southeast corner of the park, plus trailheads on Washington Street and Summerfield Drive best accessed by foot or bike.

Parking fees: None Uses: Mountain biking Distance: 1.2 miles Level of difficulty: Easy Elevation: 5,475 feet to 5,610 feet