HomeArizonaShow Low › Buena Vista Trailhead - Moderate-Loop

Buena Vista Trailhead - Moderate-Loop

4.1 ★★★★☆ 41 Google reviews · Running trail in Show Low, Arizona · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Buena Vista Trailhead - Moderate-Loop's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceLoopScenicMile markers

Scenic trail, part of a large, dog-friendly wooded area also used for logging.

What runners say about Buena Vista Trailhead - Moderate-Loop

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (41 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Not much elevation change but quite scenic.”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

Such a huge area of trails. We drove down joe tank rd about a mile then hiked around there. Absolutely no one. Beautiful breeze cool weather. We are from the valley so we took a week trip up to cooler temps to get way from the 112° weather.

★★★★★ — Misha , Jun 2022

Great place to hike. Lots of trees and open ranges. Fire road has many ruts in certain places.

★★★★☆ — Sam , Jun 2020

Trail was nice for a little nature walk. We went around Loop 1. It's about 3 1/2 miles, loop 2 is A LOT longer so if you are looking for longer this has both! It says no motor vehicles but we had a truck come through. Wasnt busy with people and has a QR code to download the map.

★★★★☆ — Ashly , May 2023

It's a great place to hike... plenty of parking...lots of trees... occasionally you run into some horses and cows..

★★★★★ — Mmc , May 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 41 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 12 mentions

“Lovely trail ride, awesome views, some fairly rocky ascents and descents, but overall a great trail.”

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🔁 Loop trail 5 mentions

“We cut the loop at BV31 across to BV3 and it was about 2.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“Lovely trail ride, awesome views, some fairly rocky ascents and descents, but overall a great trail.”

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📏 Mile markers 3 mentions

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Plan your run at Buena Vista Trailhead - Moderate-Loop

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Where to find Buena Vista Trailhead - Moderate-Loop

Rim Rd, Show Low, AZ 85901

Get directions

Running trails near Show Low

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Show Low City Dog Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 70 reviews

Show Low, AZ

Natural surfaceShadedDog-friendly

Dog-friendly, fenced-in recreation area featuring dirt and wood chip surfaces alongside a fenced-off zone for timid dogs.

3.0 miles away

Show Low City Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,426 reviews

Show Low, AZ

ShadedDog-friendly

Popular park featuring playgrounds, basketball courts and disc golf courses.

3.1 miles away

Mogollon Rim Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 398 reviews

Lakeside, AZ

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Family-friendly hiking trail featuring scenic views of the Mogollon Rim.

4.1 miles away

Show Low Creek Meadow Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 225 reviews

Show Low, AZ

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Green, paved and dirt trails amid a meadow. Also a golf course and picnic area.

4.2 miles away

Los Caballos Trailhead #638

4.6 ★★★★★ 62 reviews

Show Low, AZ

7 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Scenic trail for hikers and mountain bikers, as well as equestrian riders.

4.2 miles away

Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,515 reviews

Show Low, AZ

LoopScenic

Park with a 150-acre lake offering year-round fishing & boating, plus a campground & picnic areas.

4.8 miles away

All running trails in Show Low, AZ →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.