Bulldog Canyon
Bulldog Canyon Ohv Permit Required
Trail Length: 3.6 miles
Bulldog Canyon is part of the "Great Western Trail" in Arizona, traveling through the Tonto National Forest's Goldfield Mountains and Sonoran Desert. It offers incredible views of the nearby Superstition Mountains and is home to some of Arizona's most infamous legends, like the Lost Dutchmen Gold. At one time the Bulldog Mine was one of the richest gold mines in the country but has now been reclaimed by the desert. The Goldfield Mountain area is littered with towering cliffs and rugged canyons that are a welcome break from the flat desert valley. You can hike for years in the many unmarked canyons that litter the region. Who knows what you might find out there. The Salt River Recreation areas and Saguaro Lake are nearby to help you cool off in the warmer months. Be sure to have a free Bulldog Canyon Pass to be able to access and enjoy the vast OHV area and a Tonto Pass to park at the rec. sites. The Lost Dutchman, who was a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz had supposedly located a rich gold mine in the nearby mountains. As the legend goes, a band of Native Americans attacked The Dutchmen to prevent him from sharing the location of the gold with anyone; however, just before he died, it's rumored he shared the location of the mine with another person. Depending on which version of the story you believe either Dr. Walker or Julia Thomas obtained a map indicating the mines location. The legend says they attempted to locate the gold on their own around 1892 but were unsuccessful. They then resorted to selling copies of the map to tourists at a hefty price of $7.00. Throughout the last century, countless treasure hunters have searched the area in hopes of getting their hands on the Lost Dutchman’s gold. With hopes of finding the gold, many have lost their lives in this unforgiving desert mountain region, with a few deaths occurring as recent as 2011.
Technical rating: (1-3) Easy
Dirt road. Rutted, washes, or gulches. Water crossings up to 6" depth. Passable mud. Grades up to 10 degrees. Small rocks or holes. 4WD recommended but 2WD possible under good conditions and with adequate ground clearance and skill. No width problems for any normal vehicle. Vehicle passing spots frequently available if less than two vehicles wide.