We are Back Country Horsemen of Central Arizona

Back Country Horsemen of Central Arizona (BCHCAZ), is a not-for-profit (501c3) organization dedicated to: keeping trails open for all users; educating horse users in Leave-No-Trace practices; and providing volunteer service to resource agencies.

Our Vision

BCHCAZ is recognized as a valued community of volunteers and a critical partner for  federal and state agencies, working proactively for public lands, equestrian use and access in Central Arizona.

Our Mission

  1. To perpetuate the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country and wilderness.
  2. To work to insure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use.
  3. To assist the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resource.
  4. To educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wise use of the back country resource by horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage.

QUAD CITIES – We have members from all over the central region of Arizona including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Paulden, Mayer, Dewey and beyond.  Here our main partner is the Prescott National Forest.  We work closely with them as well as The Yavapai Trail Association and Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance  trail maintenance projects.  Maintenance of the beautiful Groom Creek Horse Camp is also one of our ongoing projects .

VERDE VALLEY – We now also have members in the Verde Valley area including Sedona, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Rimrock.  This group works closely with the Red Rock Ranger District and is our voice with the GSRC (Greater Sedona Recreation Collaborative).  This group manages the OHV part of the trail system and it is very important that we keep involved with them and the decisions that are made regarding OHV trail use.

We also sit at the table with the Verde Front.  This is the non-motorized trail working group.

BCHCAZ is also a proud sponsor of the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund with our annual donation of $1000.  This fund pays for trail construction and maintenance for the Forest Service.

ARIZONA – We also work with the Coconino National Forest, Kaibab National Forest, Tonto National Forest, National Park Service (Grand Canyon National Park and Wupatki National Monument), Arizona Trails Association, BLM, Arizona Game and Fish and others consistent with the mission of Back Country Horsemen.

Here are links to our partner organizations

And important Facebook Groups to follow:

2025 Officers:

President – Wendy Timmel
Vice President – Angela Davis
Secretary – Ela Matten
Treasurer – Lori Orcutt

2025 Board:
Directors at Large – Christina McCarty, Craig Ferdig, Lucinda Rosen, Sandy Gesswein
Verde Valley Liaison – Chip Lawrence

Community Relationships:

https://laser-shelter.org/       

In times of crisis, your STABLE solution    Equine Emergency Evacuation