Arizona Hunt Unit 4A Map & Guide: A Wild Country for Hunters, Hikers & Dreamers
- ADVENTURE iDIAZ
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Arizona Hunt Unit 4A spans Rim Country forests, canyon rims, and cool high-elevation lakes east of Payson. Explore historic trails, trout waters, and pine-shaded camps while planning safe access along SR-260 and Rim Road. This guide highlights geography, seasons, routes, and top spots for hunting, hiking, camping, and fishing.
Perched along Arizona’s Mogollon Rim, Unit 4A blends cool, pine-covered high country with rim-edge canyons and northern juniper flats. It’s an all-season playground for hunters, hikers, anglers, campers, backpackers, and sightseers—anchored by the Rim’s trail network and a cluster of beloved lakes like Woods Canyon and Willow Springs. The land itself tells the story here—shaped by time, weather, and the generations who traveled these ridges long before the first roads reached the forest. Our detailed Arizona GMU 4A map traces those same contours, helping modern explorers see the country much as they did.
Geography, Landmarks & Historical Roots of Arizona Hunt Unit 4A
Arizona Hunt Unit 4A spans one of the most iconic transitions in the Southwest — where the Mogollon Rim’s pine-covered escarpment drops northward toward open plateaus of juniper, grass, and sage. Elevations range from roughly 5,500 to 7,800 feet, capturing every shade of Rim Country: dense mixed-conifer forest to the south, open mesa country to the north, and a middle band of oak and pinyon where wildlife, weather, and travel patterns converge.
The Rim itself serves as both a physical and cultural boundary. To the south, its cliffs mark the northern edge of Arizona’s highlands; to the north, runoff feeds canyons that drain toward the Little Colorado Basin. Within this divide lie three of Arizona’s best-known lakes — Woods Canyon, Willow Springs, and Bear Canyon — all inside Unit 4A and central to its recreation and wildlife habitat.
Long before road maps and GPS, Indigenous peoples used this corridor as a travel and trade route linking the highlands and desert basins. Archaeological finds along Rim drainages reveal Mogollon and Ancestral Puebloan presence — pit houses, pottery fragments, and hunting tools still found near sheltered slopes and seeps. Later, pioneer ranchers and loggers followed these same passages, carving wagon roads that evolved into today’s forest network.
The most enduring route from that era is the General Crook Trail, a 19th-century military supply road built in the 1870s to connect forts from Prescott to Fort Apache. Portions still trace across Unit 4A along Forest Road 300 (Rim Road), where travelers encounter signs and viewpoints recalling Crook’s march and the settlers who shaped the region’s early history.
Today, that same Rim corridor remains the backbone of exploration in Unit 4A — guiding hunters, hikers, and campers along ridgelines once used for survival and supply. Each landmark, from the cliffs above Woods Canyon to the quiet meadows near Willow Springs, carries the layered story of this land — a meeting point between forest and plain, past and present, and one of the most historically rich landscapes in Arizona’s backcountry.
Hunting in Arizona Hunt Unit 4A: Elk Calls, Rim Country Trails & Wild Pursuits
Stretching across the heart of Arizona’s Mogollon Rim, Unit 4A is a hunter’s unit through and through — a blend of towering pines, open mesas, rimrock canyons, and mid-country grasslands that support nearly every major game species in northern Arizona. The variety of habitat sets 4A apart. Within a few miles, hunters can move from dense mixed-conifer forests along Rim Road to sunlit flats north of Willow Springs, where elk, deer, and antelope share the same ecosystem at different times of year.
With elevations from 5,500 to 7,800 feet, Unit 4A offers rich forage, abundant cover, and dependable water sources that draw wildlife through every season. Early mornings bring elk bugles through the timber, fall afternoons see mule deer working grassy edges, and by late season, predators prowl canyon bottoms following migrations. The combination of forest density, access, and elevation gives hunters of every pursuit — rifle, archery, or muzzleloader — a chance to tailor their strategy to the terrain.
The Rim’s weather shifts quickly, and understanding its patterns is key. Summer monsoons green the hillsides and fill tanks, while crisp autumn days bring rut activity and clear glassing conditions. Winter snows push game to lower elevations where tracking becomes a skillful challenge. For hunters willing to adapt, 4A delivers a rare mix of opportunity, challenge, and solitude — the hallmarks of classic Arizona hunting.
Primary Game Species Found in Unit 4A
Elk – 4A supports a strong elk population, especially along the Rim’s mixed-conifer corridors and meadows near Willow Springs and Woods Canyon Lakes. Peak bugling activity occurs in late September through early October.
Mule Deer – Found throughout the unit, mule deer favor the transitional zones where ponderosa pines meet open grass flats. Glassing from Rim overlooks or evening sits near stock tanks often yields success.
Antelope (Pronghorn) – Limited pronghorn herds roam the northern grasslands of 4A, particularly near open mesas above Chevelon Canyon. Tag opportunities are highly competitive but rewarding.
Black Bear – Bears move seasonally through canyons and oak draws along the Mogollon Rim. Fall hunts coincide with acorn and berry production, with sightings most common in the southern forested third of the unit.
Mountain Lion – This apex predator is present year-round. Hunters often track lions using fresh snow or after winter elk migrations. Their range covers most of 4A’s rugged canyon terrain.
Merriam’s Turkey – Abundant in pine forests and mixed oak zones, these birds occupy Rim edges and forest roads in spring and fall seasons. Early-morning calling near Willow Springs or Woods Canyon areas can be highly productive.
Band-Tailed Pigeon – Found seasonally along the Mogollon Rim’s higher elevations, typically in late summer when acorns and berries are plentiful. These birds frequent forested draws and canyon rims.
Dove – Mourning and white-winged doves appear in scattered openings and around water sources during early fall. Tanks and small ponds along SR-260 corridors offer the best opportunities.
Tree Squirrel – Both Abert’s and gray squirrels are common throughout 4A’s ponderosa forests. September and October hunts provide classic Rim Country small-game experiences.
Waterfowl – Waterfowl hunting is limited but possible on small Rim lakes like Willow Springs and Woods Canyon, particularly during colder months when migration peaks.
Whether pursuing big game or upland species, hunters in Unit 4A experience a unique mix of terrain and wildlife diversity rarely found in a single hunt unit. Always verify season dates and legal methods through the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Trails, Camps & Trout Waters of Arizona Hunt Unit 4A: Exploring the Rim Country Wilds
From cool pine forests atop the Mogollon Rim to quiet canyon lakes below, Arizona Hunt Unit 4A offers some of the most diverse outdoor terrain in Rim Country. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service within the Apache–Sitgreaves National Forest, the unit’s scenic trails weave through ponderosa stands and rim-edge overlooks, while crystal-clear trout lakes provide both solitude and recreation. Whether you’re hiking to glass new country, setting up camp under the pines, or fishing a shaded cove at sunrise, 4A rewards explorers of every kind. Its forest roads, mild summer temperatures, and wealth of access points make it one of Arizona’s most enjoyable and accessible Rim destinations.
Trails Beneath the Pines: Exploring 4A on Foot
For those eager to explore on foot — whether scouting hunting ground, enjoying a family hike, or tracing Rim-edge views — 4A’s trail network offers variety and beauty at every turn.
General Crook Trail (Rim corridor) – A historic route tracing the Mogollon Rim from east to west, offering panoramic views, shaded forest stretches, and frequent wildlife sightings. Trailheads are reachable via FR 300 and SR-260.
Woods Canyon Lake Loop Trail – A peaceful 1.5-mile loop around this 52-acre lake, perfect for casual hikers and anglers alike. Tall pines, songbirds, and easy footing make it ideal for a half-day outing.
Bear Canyon Lake Trail – A short but steep descent into a narrow canyon setting, rewarding hikers with cool air, rugged beauty, and lakeside solitude — a great spot to combine hiking with shoreline fishing.
Rim Country Nights: Camping the Cool Forests of 4A
Whether you prefer a lakeside setup or a shaded site along SR-260, Unit 4A provides a range of options from fully developed campgrounds to primitive hideaways.
Spillway Campground (Woods Canyon Lake) – Set directly along the lakeshore, this developed campground provides convenient trail access and boat rentals at the nearby marina.
Canyon Point Campground (SR-260) – A larger campground surrounded by ponderosa pine with spacious sites and quick driving access to Willow Springs Lake. Perfect for extended stays.
Bear Canyon Lake Area (primitive camping) – Rustic and quiet, these dispersed spots above the lake cater to anglers, hunters, and backpackers seeking more solitude away from the main Rim corridor.
Casting the Rim Lakes: Top Fishing Spots in Unit 4A
Cold-water fisheries define Unit 4A’s recreation, offering some of Arizona’s most reliable trout waters surrounded by towering pines and canyon walls.
Woods Canyon Lake – Stocked regularly with rainbow and brown trout, this lake’s easy shoreline access and nearby amenities make it a favorite for anglers of all skill levels.
Willow Springs Lake – A scenic, high-elevation fishery known for its clear water and good-sized trout. Boat access, restrooms, and picnic areas make it family-friendly.
Bear Canyon Lake – More remote and less crowded than its neighbors, this canyon-bound lake rewards persistence with excellent fishing and quiet scenery.
Tip: Before setting out, check U.S. Forest Service fire restrictions, verify water levels, and respect camping setbacks near lakes and creeks. Rim-Country weather changes quickly — so always prepare for shifting conditions and carry both navigation and water-safety essentials.
Watch the Arizona Hunt Unit 4A Map Overview Video
Arizona Hunt Unit 4A FAQ – Advanced Field Insights
How does the Rim’s elevation gradient affect route planning?
Expect cooler temps and denser timber near the Rim, easing to windier, open country to the north—plan glassing and camp placement accordingly, and use SR-260 + FR 300 hubs for flexible access.
Are there historical routes worth following for a multi-day hike?
Yes—sections of the General Crook Trail parallel FR 300 with clear access near the Rim Visitor Center and major trailheads.
What’s a good basecamp if I’m mixing hiking and fishing?
Spillway (lakeside, Woods Canyon) or Canyon Point (big sites on SR-260) keep you close to multiple lakes and trailheads.
Which lakes best balance shore access and facilities?
Woods Canyon Lake (loop trail, marina/store) and Willow Springs Lake (USFS sites and paved access) are top picks.
Any special land-access notes in 4A?
AZGFD coordinates Hopi Three Canyon Ranch access in 4A/5A/5B; always review current terms and maps before your trip.
Why Buy Our Arizona GMU 4B Map
When you’re hiking rim-top trails, stalking elk in mixed conifer, or casting for trout at a high-country lake, the right map makes every mile count. The Arizona Hunt Unit 4A Map is a purpose-built field companion that emphasizes practical detail for hunters and outdoor travelers.
More Roads & Water Sources — Dense coverage of forest roads, stock tanks, springs, and creeks across Unit 4A.
Trails & Recreation Areas — Clearly marks top hiking routes like General Crook plus access to camping and lake sites.
Easy-to-Read Layout — Clear symbology and labeling for quick orientation.
Durable Construction — Tear- and water-resistant media suitable for year-round use.
Compact Scale — 1:100,000 balance of coverage and field detail.
Detailed Topographics — Contours and relief for planning glassing, routes, and camp placement.
Recreation Highlights — Campgrounds, trailheads, scenic overlooks, and lake access points inside 4A.
Full-Color Quality — High-contrast, full-color printing for legibility in changing light.
Get Your Arizona Hunt Unit 4A Map from ADVENTURE iDIAZ
Headed for the Rim? Equip your trip with a map built for 4A’s mixed terrain and four-season conditions—then get out there and roam.
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