Table Top Wilderness

Overview

The 34,400-acre Table Top Wilderness lies in western Pinal County. Table Top Mountain is the highest peak in the area and its flat-topped summit of 4,373 ft is a familiar landmark, easily recognized from Phoenix and Casa Grande. Steeply rising flat-top mesas, ridges, lava flows, wide canyons and mesquite-and ironwood-lined washes surround Table Top Peak.

Hikers, backpackers, horseback riders and others venturing into the wilderness are rewarded with solitude. The four-mile-long Table Top Trail leads to the summit of Table Top, with the trailhead at the southwest corner of the wilderness (equestrian use not recommended on this trail due to steep conditions). The view from atop the peak provides a panorama of mountains ranges and desert plains. The abundant desert vegetation includes an unusual 40-acre island of desert grassland on the summit of Table Top and dense saguaro forests on the southwest side. The Lava Flow Trail meanders through the lowlands of the wilderness area. Desert bighorn sheep, coyote, quail, javelina, giant spotted whiptail lizard and the Ajo Mountain whipsnake, and numerous birds, reptiles and raptors abound.

Know Before You Go

• Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.
• Road conditions to the wilderness vary with high-clearance and four-wheel-drive vehicle requirements. Roads are primitive and not maintained. Have a full tank of gas, full-size spare tires, a vehicle tool kit, and first aid kit. The main access routes and washes are prone to heavy seasonal rains and flash floods. Do not cross flooding streams or washes!
• Motorized and mechanized vehicles, including bicycles must remain on existing routes.
• Drinking water is not available, so you should bring plenty of your own water.
• Cellular phones do not work in many areas of the national monument.
• Drug and human smuggling activities have occurred within the monument south of Interstate 8. If you see any activity that looks illegal, suspicious, or out of place, please do not intervene. Contact BLM Federal Law Enforcement Communications Center, County Sheriff or Border Patrol. Call 911 to report emergencies.
• Summer temperatures may often reach up 115 degrees. Wear a hat, long sleeve shirt, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Drink plenty of water!
• You might encounter rattlesnakes and scorpions. Don't put your hands or feet in brush or under rocks and boulders.
• Many abandoned mine shafts dot the landscape in Arizona and are very dangerous. Many shafts are deep vertical holes with no way out. Do not get close to or enter any mine shaft.
• Fires are not allowed in Table Top Wilderness.