Greens Peak / On Top Of The World

• What: Greens Peak
• Distance From Greer: 16 miles
• Travel Time: 28 minutes
• Vehicle Required: Any
• Difficulty: Easy
• Kids: Yes

Rising just over 10,000 feet in elevation, Greens Peak just outside of Greer in the White Mountains of northeastern Arizona offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The extinct volcanic cinder cone presents panoramic views of the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and is the highest point in the Springerville Volcanic Field.

Featuring commanding 360-degree views, Greens Peak offers an easy driving adventure just a stone’s throw from Greer. Resting about 16 miles to the northwest of town the 10,134-foot tall peak provides a sky-high view of the second largest national forest in Arizona.

From town, take Highway 373 north to Highway 260 and turn left. Head west for about five miles to Forest Service Road 117 where you’ll take a right. Unpaved, but in good condition, FRS 117 winds through open meadows and bunches of ponderosa pines, passing Beehive Spring and Wooly Tank before reaching the base of the mountain.

Stay right where the road veers left and turns into FRS 61. You’ll gradually rise out of teh meadow before reaching a hairpin turn and going up in earnest. Take it slow and keep your eyes on the road – there’s plenty of time to look around when you get to the top. Your passengers wil appreciate it.

At the peak, the road turns toward the lookout before coming to an end among communications equipment. Staffed during the summer, the lookout provides firefighters with an early warning of brewing conflagrations for miles around.