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Iron Springs Road, Prescott National Forest, Arizona
Photo: Benjamin Cody · CC BY-SA 3.0

Drives Arizona Sedona, Prescott and Flagstaff

Iron Springs Road

Prescott National Forest, Arizona · Prescott → Skull Valley

Leisurely17.4 mi25 min1,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 6,200 ftOne way
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The drive

Iron Springs Road, Yavapai County Road 10, runs from the west side of Prescott down to Skull Valley, about 17 miles of two-lane road. Driven from Prescott it is a long descent from pine and oak country, through a canyon where cottonwoods and other broadleaf trees line the stream bottom, toward the desert.

Riders who know it describe a lightly travelled road with turns that are not often blind or slow, so a steady pace is easy to hold. It is a relaxed drive with gentle curves. The old Skull Valley General Store is the best-known stop at the bottom, and the town's cafe fills up at lunchtime.

Along the way

  1. Prescott (Iron Springs Road)
  2. Skull Valley (Iron Springs Road)
Elevation
1,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 6,200 ft
PrescottSkull Valley
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
PrescottSkull Valley
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Most of the pavement is in good shape, but older sections have tar snakes and loose gravel can collect on curves, so slow down on bends.
  • Skull Valley's cafe and store are busy around lunchtime.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Yavapai County Roads Division.

Questions about this drive

How long does Iron Springs Road from Prescott to Skull Valley take?

Iron Springs Road from Prescott to Skull Valley is 17.4 miles and takes about 25 minutes.

Is Iron Springs Road paved?

Yes. Iron Springs Road (Yavapai County Road 10) is paved, though older sections have tar snakes and some loose gravel collects on curves.

Is Iron Springs Road twisty?

Not very. Iron Springs Road is a leisurely drive with gentle curves, and riders describe the turns as not often blind or slow.

What is at the end of Iron Springs Road?

Iron Springs Road ends at Skull Valley, home of the historic Skull Valley General Store and a popular lunchtime cafe.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Iron Springs Road, from Prescott to Skull Valley