Table Top Trail

About Table Top Trail

Table Top Trail, in the 34,400-acre Table Top Wilderness, takes visitors from the floor of Vekol Valley (elevation 2,299 feet) to the summit of Table Top Mountain (elevation 4,356 feet) in just 3.5 miles.Along the way, visitors are treated to a variety of Sonoran Desert plants and wildlife, scenic vistas, and evidence of the area's volcanic history. The view from the top of the summit is a dramatic panorama of rugged mountain ranges and desert plains.The trail begins by crossing several small washes and bajadas (desert outwash plains), and winds northeasterly toward Table Top Mountain through forests of saguaro, cholla, prickly pear, paloverde, and ironwood.At the base of the mountain, the trail begins a series of switchbacks on its steep ascent to the summit. Near the summit, the trail is bordered by four-foot- tall walls of loosely piled stones, the origin and purpose for which are unknown. Vegetation on the summit includes an unusual, 40-acre island of desert grassland.Equestrian use of Table Top Trail is not recommended due to the steep conditions.Table Top Trailhead includes a small, three-site campground with picnic tables, fire-rings, a vault toilet, and day use parking for approximately 10 vehicles. No water or trash collection is provided.Hours and SeasonsYou can visit Table Top Trail year round, however, the trail is recommended for use from late October through mid-April. At other times of the year, the trail is seldom used.Features and Services Drinking Water: There is no drinking water available. Bring plenty of water. Toilets: Accessible vault toilet onsite. Cell Phone and Internet: Cell phone service may be unreliable. There is no public internet or Wi-Fi. Pets: Pets are not allowed on Table Top Trail, but service dogs are legally permitted anywhere that visitors can go.Your SafetyThis is a remote area and access roads are not maintained. Cell phones do not work in many areas of the monument.Heat and SunThe monument's elevation ranges from 1,000 to 4,

How to Get There

A high clearance vehicle is required to reach Table Top Trailhead. From Phoenix, take Interstate 10 west to exit 112 (Highway 85), then travel south on Hwy 85 to Gila Bend for approximately 32 miles, access I-8 east and continue for 25 miles to exit 144 (Vekol Road). Alternatively, take I-10 east from Phoenix to exit 164 (State Route 347). Turn right off the exit and head south on SR 347 for 28.4 miles to Hwy 84. Take Hwy 84 west for 5.6 miles to access I-8 west. Continue on I-8 west for 7.1 miles to exit 144 (Vekol Rd). Travel south on Vekol Rd for 2.1 miles to the Vekol Ranch turnoff. An information kiosk will be on the right. Keep right and continue south on Vekol Rd (BLM Route 8007, primitive dirt road) for 8.7 miles to BLM Route 8024. Turn left and travel 4.5 miles to the trailhead.Download a map.

Plan Your Visit to Table Top Trail

Heading to Table Top Trail? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• Park map (PDF)
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)