South Oatman Road

South Oatman Road, near the old town of Sentinel and Interstate 8, provides an accessible yet rugged desert drive through the heart of the Sentinel Volcanic Field.  Branching off from the lower desert expanses north of I-8, the track begins as a wide, graded dirt road before growing increasingly rocky and uneven as it weaves past dark basaltic lava flows and stark volcanic hills.  Along the way, drivers encounter sparse Sonoran Desert vegetation such as creosote, cholla, and the occasional saguaro, alongside wide-open desert vistas stretching toward Oatman Mountain and the Gila River valley.

As long as it's dry, any high clearance 4x4 can handle this trail and use it to access the Oatman Massacre Site trail. In years past, the road continued north through private farmland, but the route has been permanently locked by a gate and padlock. Driving down to the Gila River valley is very scenic and worth the extra few miles, but you must return the way you came.

Campsites can be found along the trail and at the end of the trail. Many will accommodate large groups.