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| Arizona OHV
Trails and Places to Ride |
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Important Information
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There are numerous opportunities
for OHV recreation in Arizona. Local land management
agencies have information and maps
available. Please contact the local land management agencies for updated information on access, closures, rules and regulations, and other information prior to planning activities. Much of this information including maps was provided by the External Resources referenced in the top right column. Some of these areas are State Trust Land and a permit is required.
You can now get your permit on-line by Clicking Here. Other areas require daily or annual use fees. Please contact BLM Field Offices and other local land management agencies for updated fee information. |
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Alto Pit OHV Area
- Information: A
400-acre site that includes
a 13-acre cross country area
open to ATVs and trail bikes,
8 miles of designated trails
for ATVs and trail bikes,
and a beginner's course for
vehicles under 90cc.
- Location: Four miles west of Prescott on Iron Springs Road.
- Facilities:
include restrooms, picnic
tables, fire rings, loading/unloading
area, and shade ramadas are
available for day use. Fee
area ($3/day for day use).
At this time, group camping
requires special-use permit.
Future intentions are to provide
OHV camping. Ponderosa pine
forest type. All seasons,
occasional snow in winter.
- Contacts:
- Prescott National Forest,
Bradshaw Ranger District
(928) 443-8000.
- Bureau of Land Management
www.az.blm.gov
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Apache Trail
- Overview: Scenic drive between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Lake. Pavement ends shortly after Tortilla Flat, but the road is well-graded and suitable for passenger cars.
- Directions:
Take U.S. 60 east to Idaho
Road, go north to SR 88, turn
right and follow signs.
- Drive time: About 3 hours.
- Distance: 39.3 miles from Lost Dutchman S.P. to Roosevelt Lake.
- Camping: Developed campgrounds at Canyon, Apache and Roosevelt lakes.
- Facilities: Restrooms, restaurants, stores, phone, at Canyon, Apache and Roosevelt marinas.
- Map:
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Arizona Strip
- Permit: This is State Trust Land and a permit is required.
You can now get your permit on-line by Clicking Here.
- Information:
The Arizona Strip, "where
the west stays wild,"
is that vast region of Arizona
north of the Colorado River.
Much of this remote and largely
unsettled area is traversed
by more than 5,000 miles of
dirt roads. Road conditions
range from well-maintained
graded roads, to high clearance
two-tracks, to challenging
routes that require 4-wheel
drive vehicles. No services
are available in this largely
back country area, so be prepared.
Motorized vehicles are generally
limited to existing routes,
with wilderness areas closed
and National Monuments limited
to designated routes. Watch
for signs in these areas.
High Desert to Ponderosa Pine
Forest. Generally all seasons,
however, avoid use in wet
weather.
- Contacts:
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Black
Hills Back country Byway
- Location: The south entrance is 16 miles east of Safford.
- Information: The old Safford-Clifton Highway takes you back in time and offers challenging 4x4 side trips. High Desert. Spring, fall, winter seasons.
- Contacts:
- Bureau of Land Management,
Safford Field Office
(928) 348-4400
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Box Canyon / Coke Ovens
- Access:
Take U.S. 60 east to Florence
Junction, then SR 79 south
to Price Rd. (roughly 16 miles).
Price Rd. is just north of
the Gila River crossing. Go
east on Price Rd. (dirt road)
approximately 10 miles to
a fork in the road, continue
left leaving the railroad
tracks.
- Route: Shortly after entering Box Canyon you will need a 4x4. To Martinez Mine, about 1 hour. To Coke Ovens, 2 hours. Jeep trail into Coke Ovens is very scenic. This trip is a full day.
- Rating: Rough to extreme. Worthy trip with right vehicle. Experienced drivers a must. 4x4 ONLY. Do trip in a caravan with no less than three vehicles-preferably five. Not recommended for newer SUV's.
- Warning: Be very cognizant of the weather conditions up the watershed. Do not attempt after or during rain storms. Being caught unaware in Box Canyon will have dire consequences. Be prepared!
- Map:
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Bulldog Canyon
- Access 1: Access FR 10 off Bush Highway through Lower Salt River Recreation Area, west of the bridge at Blue Point Recreation Site.
- Access 2: FR 3554 off Usery Pass Rd., 3/4 mile north of Usery Pass Park.
- Access 3:
FR 10 from Apache Junction,
off Idaho Rd. Take U.S. 60
east to Idaho Rd., north for
4.5 miles to McKellips Rd.,
turn left on Wolverine Pass
Rd., turn right on Tonto Rd.,
to Cactus and turn left. Follow
Cactus to FR 10 gate.
- Conditions: Primitive road, 4x4 required in some areas.
- Permit: Permit is required, although free. Obtain permit from the Mesa Ranger District Office. Lock combinations needed to open gates.
- Restrictions: Operate vehicles only on designated OHV roads.
- Map:
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Bumble Bee / Mayer
- Overview: Very scenic drive through all climate zones and topographies, includes old mining towns, wildlife, dense chaparral, tall pines and quacky aspens.
- Time Allowed: This is a long, hard trip, requiring a full day. Let others know your route and return time. Make sure your vehicle is in top working order, have plenty of fuel, water, snacks, blankets and a cell phone. Almost 70 miles of dirt road.
- Rating:
- Crown King Road: Easy, 28 miles of gravel road with washboard and narrow bridges but accessible by passenger car.
- FR 52 (Senator Hwy.) & FR 67: Moderate, 29 miles of narrow primitive forest road, high-clearance vehicle required and 4X4 needed during inclement weather. Crown King to Prescott on FR 52, 38 miles.
- Horsethief Basin Recreation Area: 3.5-acre lake, fishing, 3 small campgrounds (fee), picnic area, hiking trails.
- Season: Year-round, best April through Oct. Check road conditions during winter months.
- Maps:
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Castle Hot Springs
- Overview: Graded-gravel road that runs through several creek beds and river bottoms, some rocky spots, 4X4 needed after or during bad weather. Drive past the old Castle Hot Springs Resort.
- Directions: Take I-17 north to Carefree Highway/SR 74 go west; before Morristown, turn right onto Castle Hot Springs Road.
- Drive Time: 3 hrs.
- Distance: 36.7 miles Morristown to Lake Pleasant.
- Camping: Developed campgrounds and picnic areas at Lake Pleasant
- Facilities: Gas, food and lodging in Wickenburg
- Map:
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Crossroads
- Location:
Crossroads OHV Area is on
the California side of the
Colorado River. From the AZ
95, cross the river at Parker
Dam and travel south on Parker
Dam Road. From Parker, Ariz.,
cross the river to California
and travel nine miles north
on Parker Dam Road. The OHV
area is located on the west
side of the road, nine miles
northeast of Parker.
- Description:
The Crossroads OHV Area is
a 1,500-acre "Open"
area. Vehicle use in the area
surrounding the OHV area is
limited to designated routes.
The staging area provides
a paved parking lot, restroom,
loading ramp and bulletin
board. Riding opportunities
in this OHV area include the
sand washes and trails throughout
the bajada.
These facilities were paid for and maintained with grant funds from California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation. Please support this program by maintaining current registration on your off-highway vehicle.
- Best Season: Fall to Spring. It is advised that you contact BLM's Lake Havasu Field Office or the National Weather Service for current road conditions and weather forecasts.
- Nearby Recreation Sites and Areas:
- Empire Landing Campground
- Crossroads Campground
- Emerald Cove Resort
- Rock House Boat Ramp
- Windmill Resort
- Desert Rivera Resort
- River Land Resort
- Rio Del Colorado Resort
- Parker Dam Back Country Byway
- Contacts:
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Crosscut/Mud Springs
- Location: Take Highway 87 North of Fountain Hills towards Payson. Drive past the Four Peaks turn and then up and over the ridge. At the bottom of the hill you will see a sign for Mesquite Wash (it's the first bridge at the bottom) Mile Marker 212 and turn left just after crossing the bridge over the wash. Cross the south-bound lanes and follow the dirt road on the West side of 87 down into the trees.
When staging at this location you ride the Sycamore Creek trails first then the CrossCut/Mud Springs trails.
If you want to ride Crosscut/Mud
Springs first, turn right
after the bridge and follow
the road around to the left.
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Copper Basin Dunes
- Location: 12 miles northeast of Parker. Copper Basin Dunes OHV area is on the California side of the Colorado River. From Arizona Highway 95, cross the river at Parker Dam and travel south on Parker Dam Road. From Parker, Arizona, cross the river to California and travel 12 miles north on Parker Dam Road. The OHV staging area is on the west side of the road across from Big Bend Resort.
- Description:
The Copper Basin Dunes OHV
Area is a 1,275 acre "Open"
area. Vehicle use in the area
surrounding the OHV area is
limited to designated routes.
The staging area provides
a paved parking lot, restroom,
loading ramp and bulletin
board. Riding opportunities
in this OHV area include the
sand dunes, trails throughout
the bajada and up into the
canyons. These facilities
were paid for and maintained
with grant funds from California
Off-Highway Motor Vehicle
Recreation. Please support
this program by maintaining
current registration on your
off-highway vehicle.
- Best Season: Fall to Spring. It is advised that you contact BLM's Lake Havasu Field Office or the National Weather Service for current road conditions and weather forecasts.
- Nearby Recreation Sites and Areas:
- Empire Landing Campground
- Crossroads Campground
- Emerald Cove Resort
- Rock House Boat Ramp
- Windmill Resort
- Desert Rivera Resort
- River Land Resort
- Rio Del Colorado Resort
- Parker Dam Back Country Byway
- Contacts:
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Cinder Hills OHV Area
Near Flagstaff, is a 13,500
acre OHV area. There is both
open riding and miles of single
track trails. Dispersed camping
is allowed but there are no
facilities such as water or
restrooms. To get to the Cinder
Hills OHV Area, take U.S. 89
north from Flagstaff. Approximately
3/4 mile past milepost 426 turn
east on Forest Service Road
776 and follow the signs. More
information on the Cinder Hills
OHV Area can be obtained by
contacting the Coconino National
Forest, Peaks Ranger District,
5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff,
AZ 86004. Phone (928) 526-0866.
- Route:
Take U.S. 89 to FR 441 (3
miles north of Flagstaff),
go north to OHV area. Take
FR 776 (Hardened rd.) for
two miles to the first of
several parking areas with
loading/unloading rams. The
three parking areas are listed
on the map.
- Conditions: FR 776, and first section of FR 777, are hardened roads. OHVs or 4x4s are recommended on all other roads.
- Restrictions: Some portions restricted. Stay on designated routes if signed. Glass containers not permitted. Campfires may be restricted.
- Warning:The Sunset Crater National Monument and Strawberry Crater Wilderness are closed to all off-highway vehicles.
- Map:
- Contacts
- Coconino National Forest
Peaks District: 928-526-0866
Main Information Line: 928-501-1710
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
- Flagstaff Visitors
928-774-9541
www.flagstaffarizona.org
- Sunset Crater National Monument
6400 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff Visitor Information: 928-526-0502 Visitor Information, HQ: 928-526-1157 www.nps.gov/sucr/
- Road Conditions
Arizona Department of Transportation
888-411-7623
www.azdot.gov
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Desert Wells Multiuse
Area
- New Gate Closures - Effective as of Monday, May 19, 2008
Gates 1-4, 6-10 and Access B are all being closed due to safety concerns and new construction soon to be happening on the Southern end of this use area. Most trails listed on this map are still open to ride on, these gate closures are to control where users enter and exit the use area. Access A, Access C and Gate 5 will all remain open for use. Park at least a quarter mile off the roadways and always stay on roads and trails.
- Permit: This is State Trust Land and a permit is required.
You can now get your permit on-line by Clicking Here.
- Information: The Desert Wells Multiuse Area is located
in Pinal County, AZ. It is a multiuse
area where OHV users share the land with horseback
riders, hikers, and other outdoor recreationists.
It is state trust land; therefore, a recreational
permit is required for access. You can obtain
that permit at the Arizona State Land Department
(602) 364-2753 or at the Arizona Public Lands
Information Center (602) 417-9300. When using
state trust land, you must stay on existing
roads and trails. The Arizona Game and Fish
Department encourages all visitors to the
Desert Wells Multiuse Area to protect wildlife
habitat and protect your rights to ride by
keeping it legal and following the rules and
regulations listed on the attached map and
rules brochure.
- Map
and Rules [PDF,
829kb]
- Contacts:
- Arizona State Land Department
(602) 364-2753
www.land.state.az.us
- Arizona Public Lands
Information Center
(602) 417-9300.
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Four Peaks to Roosevelt Lake
- Route: From Mesa, take SR 87 to Four Peaks Rd. (FR 143). Remain on FR 143 to SR 188, go north on 188 to SR 87, turn south and return to the Valley.
- Drive Time: FR 143; 3 to 4 hrs, total 6 hrs.
- Scenery: Very scenic, although, in 1996, the Lone Fire burned thousands of acres on and around the peaks.
- Caution: 4X4 is required on FR 143 after the Ballentine Trail. Erosion has damaged area trails, use them with great caution. Acquire latest trail information.
- Season: Year-round, but closed during heavy snows.
- Warning: One of the highest concentrations of black bears in Arizona. Campers, hikers and picnickers take appropriate precautions with food storage.
- Map:
- Contacts:
- Tonto National Forest
Tonto Basin Ranger District: 928-467-3200
Mesa Ranger District: 480-610-3300
www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto
- Road Conditions
Arizona Department of Transportation
888-411-7623
www.azdot.gov
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Ghost Town Loop
- Overview:
Scenic mountain drive, encompassing
five old mining camps and
ghost towns: Harshaw, Mowry,
Washington Camp, Duquesne
and Lochiel. Harshaw and Duquesne
are bona fide ghost towns
with buildings yet leaning.
You must remain on numbered
routes.
- Directions: From Patagonia, take small road just south of Post Office and follow the map.
- Time Allowed: Full weekend.
- Rating: Easy, well-maintained forest road suitable for standard SUVs and high-clearance passenger cars (dry weather only).
Inclement weather may require 4X4.
- Camping: Patagonia Lake State Park.
- Season: Year-round, best Oct. - April.
- Map:
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Great Western Trail (Scottsdale)
Information:
The Great Western Trail (GWT)
is a long and primitive, shared-use
route anticipated to run from
Mexico to Canada through Arizona,
Utah, Idaho, and Montana. The
800-mile Arizona Section of
the GWT is nearly 50 percent
complete and located on existing
back country routes. North of
Phoenix, the GWT traverses rugged
and beautiful country on the
Tonto, Prescott and Kaibab national
forests, as well as BLM lands
on the Arizona Strip. Some segments
require vehicles to be highway-licensed/legal. |
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Gunsight Pass
- Overview: Steep, narrow, rocky trail that climbs to 5,000 feet. Loose rock and ruts in some places, but can be navigated skillfully in stock 4x4 SUV, but experience is required. Popular ATV area.
- Directions: From Tucson, take I-10 east to SR 83, go south to FR 231 (look for sign to Rosemont Jct.).
- Facilities: Developed campground, fishing, boating, picnicking and hiking at Patagonia Lake State Park.
- Maps:
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Granite Mountain Multiuse Area
- NEW - July 9 , 2008 - Due to passage of Senate Bill 1552 and Maricopa County and The City of Scottsdale dust control ordinances, Granite Mountain Multiuse Area is closed to all motorized vehicle use.
- Information:
The Granite Mountain
Multiuse Area is located
in Scottsdale, near
Pima Road and Dynamite
Boulevard. It is a multiuse
area for
horseback riders, hikers,
and other outdoor recreationists.
It is state trust land
and you must have a
recreational permit
to use state trust land.
The city of Scottsdale
owns quite a bit of
land in the center of
the multiuse area, known
as the McDowell Sonoran
Preserve. The preserve
is off-limits to all
motorized vehicles.
Non-motorized users
are welcome.
- Contacts:
- Arizona State Land Department
(602) 364-2753
www.land.state.az.us
- Arizona Public Lands
Information Center
(602) 417-9300.
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Harquahala Mountain Summit Road
- Information: Rugged 3,000-foot and 10.5 mile climb to historic 1920 Smithsonian Solar Observatory. Site includes picnic areas, restrooms, access to historic hiking trail and primitive camping. Vehicle travel allowed only on existing routes. Sonoran Desert. Spring, fall, and winter seasons; hot in summer with thunderstorms, and wash outs on road.
- Contacts:
- Bureau of Land Management
Hassayampa Field Office
(623) 580-5500.
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Hayfield Draw OHV Area
Near Cottonwood, provides
a "tot lot" for beginners,
a motocross track, 40
acres of open riding and
over 120 miles of trails
with the longest trail
over 50 miles long. The
staging area is south
of U.S. Highway 260, approximately
5 1/2 miles west of I-17.
Contact the Prescott National
Forest, Verde Ranger District,
P.O. Box 670, (300 East
Highway 260), Camp Verde,
AZ 86322, for further
information. Phone (928)
567-4121. ATV trails also
exist on the Apache-Sitgreaves,
Tonto and Coronado National
Forests.
- Route: Take Interstate 17 north to Camp Verde, then SR 260 west for six miles to the OHV area. The Hayfield Draw OHV area is designated for cross-country, ATVs and motorcycle riding only.
- Conditions: Day-use facility only. Toilets, ramadas, grills and tables available-no water. Always wear protective equipment. Operate vehicles only in designated OHV areas.
- Maps:
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Hieroglyphic Mountains/ Boulders
- Permit: This is State Trust Land and a permit is required.
You can now get your permit on-line by Clicking Here.
- Location: Numerous OHV routes that traverse the country between Lake Pleasant (east), Wickenburg (west), and Prescott National Forest (north). Boulders Staging Area, off Highway 74, between mileposts 11 and 12.
- Information: Vehicle travel allowed only on existing routes. Boulders Staging Area, offers access, camping and restroom. Area is a mix of private, state and public land, so comply with signs, carry a map, and avoid trespass. Low Desert. Spring, fall, winter seasons. Access Guide for this area is available from Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
- Contacts:
- Bureau of Land Management
Hassayampa Field Office
(623) 580-5500.
- Arizona State Land Department
(602) 364-2753
www.land.state.az.us
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Hot Wells Dunes Recreation
Area
This 2,000 acre area of
rolling sand dunes offers
an open riding area for
OHVs. There are low, sparsely
vegetated dunes for those
preferring a slower paced
ride, while several larger
dunes provide challenges
for the more adventurous
riders. The area gets
it's name from an artisan
well that produces 250
gallons of hot water per
minute. Facilities include
developed campsites, toilets,
fire grills, and of course,
hot tubs. From Safford,
travel seven miles east
on Highway 70 and turn
south on Haekel Road.
Hot Wells is 25 miles.
For more information contact
the BLM Safford District
Office at (928) 348-4400.
- Access 1:
From Safford go seven
miles east on U.S. 70
to Haekel Rd., turn
right, then 25 miles
to OHV area.
- Access 2: From Bowie, turn north on Central Ave., go to Fan Rd. Take Fan Rd. eight miles to Haekel Rd., then turn left nine miles to OHV area.
- Access 3:
Off U.S. 199 take Tanque
Rd. east to Haekel Rd.,
then turn right to OHV
area.
- Conditions: 2,000 acres of rolling sand dunes, OHV's only.
- Facilities: Two Artesian-well hot tubs. Camp-sites and facilities.
- Fees:
Recreation use fees
of $3.00 per vehicle
per day or an annual
permit for $30.00 are
collected at this recreation
area as part of a congressionally
initiated program to
generate revenues for
improvements and maintenance
of federally-managed
recreation sites.
Fees collected at the site are returned directly to the site to improve and maintain the access roads, campsites, restroom facilities, hot tubs, picnic areas, and parking areas. We ask everyone to be partners in this effort by paying a few dollars to enjoy the public lands a whole lot more.
Permit and fee not required for vehicles
in tow. The annual permit
must be obtained from
the Safford BLM office,
711 14th Ave., Safford,
AZ 85546, or call (928)
348-4400.
- Camping: Roper Lake State Park
- Contacts:
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Hualapai Mountain OHV Trailhead
- Information: Access to hundreds of miles of old mining routes near Kingman. Motorized use is limited to existing routes. Elevations range from 6,500 feet in the pines to 1,000 feet in the low desert. The facility is a fee area that offers cabins, camping and a staging area.
- Contacts:
- Hualapai Mountain Park
(928) 757-3859.
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La Posa OHV Routes
- Location:
Area is located around
Quartzsite, Ariz. at
the intersection of
Highway 95 and Interstate
10, with Yuma Proving
Ground on the southwest
and the Kofa National
Wildlife Refuge and
Wilderness on the southeast.
- Information: Vehicle travel is limited to existing routes. Some routes access the New Water Mountains Wilderness where vehicle travel is prohibited. Obey all warning signs. Low Desert. Spring, fall, winter seasons.
- Contacts:
- Yuma Proving Ground
(928) 328-2720
- Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
(928) 783-7861
- Bureau of Land Management
Yuma Field Office
(928) 317-3200 or
yfoweb_az@blm.gov.
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Long Draw OHV Route
- Information:
Located on the Mogollon
Rim northeast of Payson.
The route is a 30-mile
loop starting at either
Long Draw North Trailhead
(Chevelon Crossing)
or Long Draw South Trailhead
(Chevelon Lake). The
route is restricted
to street-legal /licensed
vehicles. Trailhead
includes staging area,
toilets and campsite
facilities. Area has
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