Rug Road got its name from the remnants of carpet that people have used to fill holes and ledges along the road to make it more passable. The road is one of the roughest roads in the Safford Field Office - it is not for the faint of heart. Travel on the Rug Road requires a good high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle and experience driving in these conditions. The road transverses Table Mountain between Turkey Creek on the east end and Mammoth on the west end. It is only about 20 miles long but will take a full day to traverse. You may want to plan for two days to be safe and to let your body recuperate from the rugged road! This is a serious four-wheel-drive road. For your safety, travel with another vehicle. Carry plenty of extra water and food, plus spare tires and tools that may be needed for vehicle repairs. The road crosses a variety of land ownership including federal, state, and private lands. Respect public and private property, and be careful with campfires. Part of Turkey Creek is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern because of the sensitive riparian and cultural resources. Stay on the road, and please use the existing campsites. Pack out all trash. Use dead and down wood for campfires.

Near the east end of Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, travel up Turkey Creek for two miles. The Rug Road leaves Turkey Creek just below the confluence of Oak Grove Canyon and Turkey Creek. The west end of the road begins across the San Pedro River from Mammoth.