East Pocket

East Pocket, near Flagstaff, is the site of a historic wooden fire tower that is still manned every summer. The vantage of this high plateau offers incredible views, especially at the rim where the ground falls away dramatically into the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness and Verde Valley. Looking out across the same rock layers that line the Grand Canyon you can see Sedona and some of its iconic rock formations, the town of Cottonwood, and onward to Mingus Mountain and the distant Bradshaws.

The grandeur of this place has earned it a reputation among Flagstaff locals. It is a popular overlook and place to camp. Dispersed camping and campfires are allowed in this part of Coconino National Forest, but use care to dispose of waste properly and thoroughly douse all fires.

Access is more than 20 miles down Woody Mountain Road. Though this road is dirt, it is well-graded and passable to passenger cars. To get to the fire tower, continue along the road, keeping right at the forks, until you get to a locked gate. Walk uphill from here about a third of mile. This fire tower is not generally open to the public, and it is manned from May through October.