36 miles from Prescott Arizona, you’ll find the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park – a place to remember the elite Granite Mountain Hotshot Firefighters who were lost while fighting the Yarnell Fire on June 30, 2013. 20 young firefighters valiantly fought to protect the Yarnell community. But in the end, 19 fallen and 1 survivor. Today, we honor the fallen 19 and offer our gratitude to survivor Brendan McDonough. During our visit, we met a very knowledgeable Park Ranger who regaled us with his stories and shared insider tips to successfully hike to the Memorial Grounds. To pay your respects, plan to spend anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. For hiking, plan to arrive early. We recommend visiting The Hotshots website before going.
Things to know before you go:
1. Free admission, free parking
2. Four hour / 7 mile round-trip hike to the Memorial Grounds
3. Limited parking available
4, Expect full sun, wear sunscreen, carry adequate water/snacks
5. Limited shuttle service available (click here for more info)
