Kelly Pocket Canyon

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Flow · Views · Wooden/Built Features

The start of the trail is not marked; just look for the faint singletrack leaving from the road near the head of the canyon. Kelly is best ridden downhill, especially for your first time because branching social trails make it easier to get lost in the uphill direction. It ends at the junction with Pumphouse Wash, where you can either retrace the trail back up, or make a loop with the Forest Service Road 237.

Though not widely known, Kelly Canyon is one of the most fun mountain bike trails near Flagstaff, and the scenery is top notch. Enjoy flowy, narrow singletrack among lush vegetation between sandstone walls. Local riders have constructed wood and rock features in some spots for bonus fun.

While most of the trail is blue terrain, there are optional black features and one hike-a-bike section. This is a steep section to descend when climbing the trail. I would call it a solid double black section. It is not too hard to walk the bike down though. I think this feature is an impossible climb when descending the trail. YouTubers and local legends can try to prove me wrong.