Thumb Butte Road is relatively close to campus, just outside of Prescott. It is about a 35 mile round trip drive. From campus, turn right on Willow Creek Rd., continue to Gurley St., and then turn right. Follow that road to the lookout area. Thumb Butte is a great recreational area for many activities.
Highway 89 is the driver's highway, and an excellent alternative to Interstate 17. Whether you are traveling north on 89A to Jerome and Sedona, or south to Wickenburg and Phoenix, Highway 89 provides breathtaking scenery, sharp turning roads, steep grades, and an enjoyable afternoon drive.
From Campus, head north on Willow Creek Road, turn Right on Pioneer Parkway and follow the signs to 89A and Jerome. As you drive up the mountain towards Jerome you experience the worst of the twists and turns of the road. The scenery is tall pine trees and tree-covered mountain sides.
Beaver creek is located about an hour's drive east of campus. Several activities are available at beaver Creek. Some of the activities available at the Beavercreek campsite are swimming hiking and other outdoor activities. There is a large swimming hole surrounded by and large trees and red rocks.
Wolf Creek is located approximately 15 miles south of campus off of Senator Highway. The road to Wolf Creek is a dirt road, so be prepared for your car to get dirty. But do not worry - no need for a big 4X4 truck here. The drive out to the creek can be a slow one, however, so plan on at least 45 minutes to get there.
Lynx Lake is situated approximately 10 miles from campus and takes, with light traffic, 20 minutes to reach. Lynx is past Costco off of Highway 69 on Walker Road. Once past the four-way stop at the entrance to the Costco gas station the area quickly turns from asphalt parking lots around you to a sparsely populated pine forest.
Seven miles north of picturesque Sedona, you'll come across one of the nation's largest watering holes. Slide Rock State park is a beautiful day getaway that will help you relax and give you a sense of beauty, fun, and adventure. It's hard to believe that one of the nation's largest water holes is located in a state were a drought looms over the entire state, but the fact is that it is there for everyone to enjoy and get away from daily life.
Located within walking distance of the campus, Granite Dells is a place to relax and have some fun during any time of the year. For many students, the Dells are the first sight of the area surrounding the ERAU campus, and they become a refuge for the students throughout their stay.
