Among the numerous trails I’ve explored in Prescott, Arizona (Prescott, Arizona: “Everybody’s Hometown”.), Constellation Park stands out as one of the most beautiful and unique. Unlike the flat and wooden hiking paths you typically encounter, at Constellation Park, you are greeted with colossal granite rocks and boulders, some standing alone, while others form intricate stacks. The main trail of the park, Constellation Loop, effortlessly twists and glides through the boulders of the Granite Dells, taking you around and occasionally over these giant rock formations, offering a distinct and sometimes challenging adventure. Listed as “easy” on the popular hiking website AllTrails, I would agree; however, those with mobility issues may find it closer to a “moderate” level. Constellation Park is generally accessible but could pose challenges for some.
Constellation Park trailhead is an easily accessible hiking option, conveniently situated right off Highway 89, across from The Phippen Museum. While there is a wallet-breaking parking fee of $3 per car, it’s well worth it, as the trailhead offers a hassle-free start to your hiking adventure. There is a proper, well-maintained bathroom facility located in the parking lot, a welcome break from the typical porta-potty experience! The official address is 5761 AZ-89, Prescott, AZ 86301, and it is open 24/7. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
While locally referred to as “the Constellation Trail” (singular), the park encompasses more than just the well-known main loop, appropriately named The Constellation Loop. This primary loop spans about 2.6 miles, taking approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to complete, dependent upon skill level and pace. However, if you choose to explore the interconnected shorter trails, such as Hully Gully, Hole in the Wall, Rock Wall, PMBA, Ridgeback, Ranch Road Shortcut, and my personal favorite name, Ham and Cheese, your exploration time will significantly increase. All in all, one could easily spend upwards of 3 or more hours fully exploring Constellation Park.
The main Constellation Loop begins with an easy walk through a wooded area on a well-maintained dirt path. As you begin to ascend, rocks become more prevalent, both from afar and directly surrounding you, and the trail transforms into a rarer experience of traversing over the rocks themselves. At this point, it can become somewhat confusing and tricky, as the trail is marked with nothing but spraypainted white dots upon the rocks, helping you maintain the proper path. Various unauthorized offshoot trails exist but are highly discouraged, clearly marked with barriers of rock and wood piles to serve as a reminder to stay on the designated path and to NOT go that way.
Eventually, the trail begins to traverse over rocks where people with mobility issues may encounter problems. There is a section that becomes somewhat vertical and requires careful maneuvering. Despite the difficulty, it’s manageable, and does not stay this way for long. My mother, who has undergone double knee replacements and uses a hiking cane, successfully navigated it, albeit at a much slower pace than those without such limitations. Additionally, there’s another part of the trail further up, marked only by white spray-painted dots, that also poses a slight challenge, as it goes along the top of rocks (please see below). Apart from these two sections, the trail remains overall “easy” and accessible for most hikers.
An interesting part of the Constellation Loop is an unofficial, yet widely embraced opportunity to go “off trail” (the only one where most hikers will turn a blind eye 👀). About halfway through, near a bench, a small, hiker-made path leads to the top of the rock ridge. This vantage point offers a breathtaking overlook of Prescott, including the city, Prescott National Forest, Thumb Butte (Woot, woot, in the butte (Thumb Butte, Arizona).), segments of Watson Lake, and the Juniper, Santa Maria, Sierra Prieta, and Bradshaw Mountain ranges. I suggest taking a moment to explore this little offshoot trail, as it offers a unique perspective of these beautiful geological wonders. While this offshoot trail is mostly well-worn and easily navigable for those without mobility issues, those with concerns may want to skip this detour.
Lastly – the area is named after the Constellation Airplane Crash. The Constellation Airplane Crash Memorial stands as a testament to the tragic events of February 28th, 1959, when a United States Air Force Lockheed C-121G “Super Constellation” met a devastating fate during a routine training mission. Departing from Litchfield Park NAS in Phoenix, the aircraft inexplicably plunged to the ground over Prescott, shattering upon impact. Given the era, “black boxes” did not yet exist and the control tower at Prescott airport was not yet built, casting a shadow of mystery over the investigation into the crash. Adding another layer of complexity, Navy personnel were at the controls of an Air Force plane, further deepening the perplexity surrounding the incident. At the trailhead, a modest memorial plaque pays homage to those lost in the tragedy. Adjacent to it, a small assembly of plane debris, gathered by passing hikers, stands as a silent tribute to the lives forever marked by that ill-fated day.
Overall, Constellation Park stands out as a must-visit, whether you’re exploring Prescott, or you’re up in Flagstaff or down in Phoenix. Having hiked various trails within Prescott, including Thumb Butte, Watson Lake Loop, Lynx Lake Trail, Upper Goldwater Lake, Lower Granite Creek Discovery, and Trail 95, I confidently consider the Constellation Loop and its adjacent trails as my personal favorite. What sets Constellation Park apart is that it’s beautiful, unique, and easy to navigate but still challenging enough to be interesting and get your heartrate pumping. This uniqueness keeps it from being like other more monotonous, flat, densely wooded trails that can feel somewhat mundane and “boring”. Apart from the above-mentioned challenging sections, the trail is generally easy, providing magnificent views throughout the hike. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Constellation Park is highly recommended for an enjoyable and rewarding outdoor experience!
