We stopped at Mingus Lake on January 9, 2023 — a spontaneous pull-off on the drive from Cottonwood to Prescott and home. We were not expecting to find a frozen lake and snow. That's exactly what we found.

The lake was completely frozen over. Tracks across the ice suggested others had walked on it before us — sled tracks too, from what we could tell. We walked onto the ice just near the edge, staying close to the bank. You could see the edge melting where the ice met open water — enough to know not to venture further out. We didn't need to. The frozen surface, the snow in the pines around us, and the quiet of Mingus Mountain in January was more than enough reason to stop.

Luca did a snow angel in the fresh snow and rolled a soccer-ball-sized snowball — a proper winter moment in the middle of an otherwise mild Arizona January. A quick stop that turned into one of those unexpected memories that make road trips worth taking.

Mingus Lake — What It Is

A small lake located in the cool pines of Mingus Mountain, Mingus Lake is periodically stocked with rainbow trout. Mingus Lake is located a short 0.9 miles from the campground where one can enjoy some peace near the water as well as catch trout and bullhead trout with a valid Arizona fishing license. Mingus Lake has one picnic table sheltered by a ramada, but no grill. No drinking water on site. Vault toilet and seasonal garbage service.

On the depth question — it is described by the Forest Service consistently as a small pond rather than a lake, and no official depth is publicly documented. From what we observed in January it appeared shallow — consistent with a small impoundment rather than a deep lake. The ice appeared to hold the weight of multiple walkers, which suggests the frozen depth was significant but the total water depth is likely modest.

Mingus Mountain — The Setting

At 7,726 feet, Mingus Mountain is the highest point in the Black Hills mountain range. In the 1880s, Jacob and Joseph Mingus opened a sawmill at the base of the mountain that now bears their name.

Located in the cool pines of central Arizona, Mingus Mountain offers a wide range of recreational opportunities including picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, camping, fishing, hunting, hang gliding, and paragliding.

Mingus Mountain Campground offers spectacular views of the Verde Valley, the red rocks of Sedona, the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, and the Mogollon Rim. Sites 5 and 27 in the campground are noted for the best views. The drive up AZ-89A through Jerome is one of the more scenic mountain roads in central Arizona — steep switchbacks, dramatic views, and the vertical town of Jerome clinging to the hillside on the way up.

Camping on Mingus Mountain

Mingus Mountain Campground sits at 7,600 feet in Prescott National Forest. The campground is open from May 1 to October 31 with 27 campsites available. Vault toilets, garbage service, and potable water are available to all campers.

The campground is situated conveniently between the charming towns of Prescott (30 miles) and Cottonwood (19 miles).

⚠️ Note on electricity: Mingus Mountain Campground currently has no electricity due to lightning damage. The Prescott National Forest Verde Ranger District continues to work to get the electricity restored with no specific restoration date confirmed as of early 2024. Verify current status before booking if electricity hookups are needed.

Potato Patch Campground sits nearby and offers 12 sites with electrical hookups for RVs — a useful alternative if powered sites are needed.

Playground Group Campground accommodates groups of up to 100 people by reservation.

Trails

Several hiking trails are accessible from the campground area, ranging from leisurely strolls to rugged mountain treks with breathtaking views. Coleman Trail #108, Gaddes Canyon Trail #110, and Yeagar Canyon Trail #28 allow mountain bikes. All designated trails are open to hikers and horses.

Winter on Mingus Mountain

January is not camping season on Mingus Mountain — the campground is closed October 31 through April 30. But as a day use stop it's genuinely worthwhile in winter. Snow is common above 7,000 feet and the lake freezes in cold snaps. The solitude is exceptional — none of the summer crowds, fresh snow in the pines, and views of the Verde Valley with snow on the distant ranges. Pull over, play in the snow, and continue on your way. That's exactly what we did.

More Information (2026)

• Fishing: Arizona fishing license required, trout limit 4, bullhead unlimited

• Mingus Mountain Campground: $10/night tent sites, $14/night electric sites (electricity currently unavailable due to lightning damage — verify before booking) — open May 1–Oct 31

• Reservations: http://Recreation.gov  — limited first-come first-served sites also available

• Additional vehicle fee: $5/night

• Road to campground: paved 2 miles then gravel 0.5 miles — suitable for all vehicles when dry

• AZ-89A through Jerome has steep grades and hairpin turns — not recommended for large RVs; alternate approach from Prescott via SR-89 is less steep

• Winter road conditions: AZ-89A can be icy and snow-covered — check conditions before driving in winter months

• Hang gliding and paragliding permitted on Mingus Mountain

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