Arizona Off-Road Trails

Located in the remote and mostly uninhabited Arizona Strip, Whitmore Overlook is an iconic Overlanding destination. The trail ends at an uber-impressive viewpoint 500 feet above the Colorado River as it snakes through the western end of the Grand Canyon. The ambitious can hike down to the river. But most will be content to sit on the cliff's edge admiring the scenery and possibly seeing a group of river rafters passing below. While the end of the trail is a worthy destination, getting there is special too. The trail begins at the historic Mount Trumbull Schoolhouse. Constructed in 1922, the schoolhouse was the civic focal point for the hardy residents of the area until 1966. Today it houses artifacts and photographs of the era. Passing through a pinion-juniper forest, every curve on the trail presents a new and impressive view of the Uinkaret Mountains to the east and the Whitmore Plateau and flat-topped 6,500-foot Grassy Mountain to the west. The sandstone cliffs glow in a rainbow of reds, oranges, pinks, grays, and white. Traveling farther south, ominous dark lava flows spill over the sandstone heights. Part of the Uinkaret Volcanic Field, the lava flows range from 850,000 to 72,000 years old. Uinkaret flows dammed the Colorado River at least 17 times, forming a lake that spanned back to the present-day Phantom Ranch. Each time the river overflowed the dams. The silt-laden water of the Colorado River eroded the basalt dams allowing the river to return to its voyage to the Gulf of California. From the Whitmore Overlook, you can see the remains of one of the lava dams across the river. The climax of the trail is obviously a night spent under the stars on the edge of a cliff above the mighty Colorado. With no light pollution, the night sky comes alive with a blanket of twinkling billions of stars and galaxies overhead. Sunrise and sunset views are nearly unparalleled. It's worth the trip.

Sedona is a fantastic destination for offroad enthusiasts. It offers a variety of trails with varying degrees of difficulty. One of the top 10 iconic 4x4 trails in Sedona is the Cliffhanger Trail, which has a name that instills curiosity and intrigue. Once you make your way down the narrow and suspension-banging Cliffhanger hill, you will want to take a 1/2-mile hike to the old homestead along Oak Creek and dip your feet in the water. Remember to bring your hiking shoes, as the hike back to your vehicle will be a bit of a climb. 

Apart from the offroad trails in Sedona, the Coconino National Forest extends to Flagstaff, offering endless trails in the pine forests that reach up to 7,000 feet in elevation at the top of the Mogollon Rim. It is a perfect escape from the summer heat in the Verde Valley. 

Sedona has over 200 hiking trails covering more than 400 miles, providing plenty of options for hikers. You can venture deep into the wilderness of Red Rock Secret Mountain or Sycamore Canyon or explore the urban trails just a stone's throw away from downtown Sedona. 

If you are interested in history, Sedona is home to several ancient ruin sites where you can glimpse life in cliff dwellings dating back to AD 1150 - 1350. Honanki, located at the end of the Outlaw Trail, and Palatki, just down Loy Butte Road, are two such sites.

The Rolls OHV Area is located just outside the Phoenix Valley, in Tonto National Forest, and covers 27,000 acres. It features 65 miles of varied-width trails, offering breathtaking views and hiking trails around the Four Peaks, along with camping, fishing, and water sports at the back coves of Saguaro Lake.

Many of the trails in The Rolls are suitable for stock 4x4 vehicles. This trail provides an opportunity to explore the narrow canyons of the region.

This area is popular among those who enjoy riding ATVs and dirt bikes because of the sandy washes and winding canyons. You can spend a weekend exploring the region and camp at one of the coves located on Saguaro Lake. Alternatively, you can follow one of the routes leading north to the Four Peaks region and enjoy spectacular panoramas before returning to the coves for dinner and a bonfire on the shoreline.

Water in the desert means life. The beautiful and wild Verde River flows 170 miles through the center of Arizona before emptying into the Salt River. Two dams create broad lakes near the river's southern terminus, the first being Horseshoe Dam. Less crowded than the lower Bartlett Lake, Horseshoe Lake offers boating, kayaking, fishing, camping, wildlife watching, broad desert vistas, and quiet relaxation, The sandy saguaro-lined road to Horseshoe Lake passes below St. Clair Mountain on its descent through the rugged Tonto National Forest into the Verde River's deep valley and then on the lake. Numerous trails branch off for those looking for some adventurous wheeling. The K A Ranch appears wonderfully bucolic on the eastern bank of the river. Easy access to the Verde River below the dam offers fishing and dispersed camping opportunities. Numerous species of catfish, crappie, and bass, along with bluegills and carp, are plentiful. Anglers may find themselves competing with bald eagles who frequently fish the river and lake. The trail ends at a boat ramp often used as a takeout for kayakers coming down the Verde as well as those wishing to troll the lake. Be sure to take the short detour to visit the dam and Catfish Point, a great place to watch the river's precious water cascading from the dam's spillway.

Casner Mountain Trail runs between the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness and the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness. It is an exceptional vantage point for viewing the Red Rock Country. The Sedona region is widely known for its natural beauty, and the Casner Mountain Trail, which reaches an altitude of 6,821 feet, offers a unique perspective that few people have experienced. Although the narrow and twisting switchbacks, sheer cliff shelf road, and steep hill climbs can be challenging, it is worth taking a break to appreciate the stunning views of the Sycamore Basin to the west and Mooney Canyon to the east.

With advanced planning, you can spend a day or two exploring the most famous offroad trails in the Sedona area. The next day, you can climb the Casner Mountain Trail to reach the top of the rim and then explore the extensive network of trails in the upper Coconino National Forest.

FR 153A is an exciting drive that gets you away from the Sedona crowds. That alone is reason enough to give it a try. However, the true worth of this short trail lies in its first mile, which runs along the dramatic edge of the Mogollon Rim, the geological feature that gave birth to the red rock geology that made Sedona famous. That one mile of eye-popping scenery is unforgettable. Even better is the handful of campsites perched right on the edge of the Rim, each with those imagination-defying views. But FR 153A guards her precious scenic and camp jewels jealously. The road to these epic sites is pure rock, and we aren't talking slick rock either. Plenty rough enough to turn away the faint of heart, the crowds never venture to these little-known edge-of-the-world gems. That just means the worthy can sit on the 1000' edge of the cliff sipping a beverage and watching the ant-like traffic crawl along Schnebly Hill Road below as sunset glistens off the enormous red rock formations below. And the next morning, you can crawl out of your sleeping bag and treat yourself to the sunrise view after a walk of only a few feet.

Situated at the southern end of the Tonto National Forest and close to a myriad of other OHV trails, Queen Creek Canyon shouldn't be missed. The scenery along this trail is breathtaking! The thrill of riding along the ridgeline and shelf road keeps you holding tightly onto your steering wheel as you look in amazement out the windshield at the mountain peaks and low desert valley in front of you.

Right out of the gate, you are fully immersed in the challenges of this trail. A steep hill descends the mountainside and immediately climbs back out as you go up, over, and around the rugged landscape. The trail peaks at over 5,200 feet, a solid climb from the desert floor.

This trail is less traveled than the three trails that make up the Montana Mountain Loop: Hewitt Canyon Road, Rogers Trough, and Happy Camp Road. With the significant amount of camping in this area, adding Queen Creek Canyon can make for a great weekend trip.

You've undoubtedly seen the photographs though you might not have known where they were taken. The dramatic sandstone cliff dropping 3000 feet straight down to the Colorado River below is an iconic image. The location is the Toroweap Overlook. It sits in one of the most remote areas of Arizona, the Arizona Strip. Toroweap and Tuweep are used interchangeably. Both are derivations of a Paiute word meaning dry, barren valley. The long drive to Toroweap bears out the applicability of the name. But even barren locals can be dramatically beautiful. Multihued sandstone cliffs rise on either side of the Paiute's barren valley. To the south lies cinder cones and lava flows from the ancient Uinkaret Volcanic Field. Long views abound as the road descends towards the canyon cut by the Colorado River, the grandest canyon of them all. Walking to the edge of the Toroweap Overlook is a profound experience. The views are breathtaking. The immenseness of your surroundings is almost incomprehensible in human terms. The view here is like no other along the entire Grand Canyon. You have to work to get here, but it's worth the effort.

In an effort to manage the number of visitors to the area, all motor vehicles entering the Toroweap area of the Grand Canyon National Park require a backcountry permit or a day-use ticket available through Recreation.gov.

Arizona does not have many places that offer a chance to enjoy a year-round, natural mountain stream. Located just a little north of Payson, the Tonto National Forest has a hidden gem for 4x4 enthusiasts. During the summer months, the crystal clear water offers a welcome reprieve from the desert heat while offering a perfect staging point for exploring hundreds of miles of nearby trails.

If you get there early enough, you can grab one of the limited camping spots located right on the creek. This trail may not be well known, but it is certainly popular with people visiting there for decades. The creek offers fishing for trout and a wonderful wet canyon hike to Colcord Falls, located upstream about 1/2 mile east of the camping area. The waterfall is by far one of the best-preserved swim holes in the entire state. The waterfall isn't always running, but with the heavy snows in 2016 and rains in 2017, the region has had plenty of moisture to keep the falls running all year. It's an easy hike through a narrow wet canyon with a couple of hidden springs to look for along the way.

Lower Terminator is a short Technical Vehicle route located within the Table Mesa Recreation Area about 45 minutes north of Phoenix. This popular rock crawling trail follows a rocky wash and offers numerous challenges as you attempt huge obstacles, maneuver tight turns, and climb jagged ledges with steep drop-offs. Lower Terminator is an exceptionally rewarding driving experience where any vehicle can find a route that will push the vehicle to its mechanical limits.

The Tortilla Flat region in the Superstition Wilderness is known for its challenging and isolated hiking trails. If you want to explore this rugged area, the Tortilla Ranch Trail is an excellent option. The trail takes you further into the remote wilderness, where you can set up a serene and stunning campsite after a long day of hiking.

History seekers enjoy exploring the remains of the Tortilla Ranch. Situated along Tortilla Creek, an old rock cistern, well, fallen windmill, concrete pad, and watering trough are remnants of days gone by.

Hiking trail JF 106 is named for John "Jack" Fraser, who owned the JF Ranch in Fraser Canyon and eventually took over the Reavis Ranch property in 1896.

Happy Camp is the third section of the popular Montana Mountain Loop. Winding along the border of the Superstition Wilderness deep within the Tonto National Forest Hewitt Station OHV area, Happy Camp is a fantastic trail for the scenery alone. The Montana Mountain Loop could easily be a weekend trip with the many campsites along the trail.

Newer offroaders can cut their teeth and build their confidence on Happy Camp with a few off-camber situations, shelf roads, minor rock obstacles, switchbacks, potential water crossings, and feeling very remote.

Happy Camp provides access to over 170 miles of networked hiking trails deep into the Superstition Wilderness. The Arizona Trail crosses Happy Camp Road at three different points. It is an 800-mile hiking trail traversing Arizona from the Mexico border to Utah. The crossings are part of Passage 18, Reavis Canyon, which runs from Picketpost Trailhead to Rogers Trough Trailhead.

The Jerome-Perkinsville Road provides amazing views of the Mogollon Rim, the striking colors of Red Rock Country, and the rolling desert hills just east of Chino Valley. You also drive alongside the Woodchute Mountain Wilderness Area on the southern portion of this trail. To the north are Perkinsville and the Verde River. From there, you can continue further north to Williams or west to Chino.

Hewitt Canyon Trail, Forest Road 172, is located in the Hewitt Station OHV area of Tonto National Forest. This is a popular area for hiking, dispersed camping, and offroad driving.

The beginning of the trail will take you across Queen Creek Wash. Have your camera ready. Hewitt Canyon treats visitors with towering rock cliffs and buttes. With a good eye, you can spot Elephant Arch, a natural rock arch resembling an elephant's head and trunk.

Further along the trail is a selection of dispersed camping sites, an old cattle coral with a windmill, and a rock water catchment. While the trail ends at the Woodbury Hiking Trailhead, Hewitt Canyon can be combined with several others to create the Montana Mountain Loop.

Located a short distance east of Florence and just outside the Phoenix Metro area, Sandman Road offers incredibly beautiful views of the Sonoran Desert and the Mineral Mountains. Travel through fields of teddy bear cholla and towering saguaro as you crest picturesque ridgelines that overlook miles of connecting OHV trails. Sandman Road should be near the top of your adventure list whether you are looking for a beginner offroad trail that's more than just a dirt road or looking to photograph amazing scenery.

Sunflower Mine Trail combines several trails for a great day in the Arizona desert. The trail works through a lush and rocky canyon leading to Sunflower Mine, also known as the National Mine. It operated from 1913-1965, mainly producing Cinnabar, used in the production of mercury and the extraction of gold. The mine also had smaller amounts of gold and silver before closing for good in 1985. The ruins at the mine used to be much larger than they are now. In 2014 most of the structures were removed, leaving only a tiny portion of the actual operation.

The real draw is the trail itself. It offers welcome shade while you're rock-crawling your way through Sycamore Wash. You get to push yourself and your vehicle with numerous optional obstacles along the way. The shelf roads may be narrow, but they offer incredible views of the surrounding canyons. Pack for an all-day trip because this trail might surprise you!

ATTENTION: The bridge at Waypoint 6 is scheduled for closure or repairs. Use at your own risk.

In his 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens compared London and Paris and spawned the phrase, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Crackerjack is like that. The best of times comes early on Crackerjack. The winding trail passes through juniper, pinion, and sycamore forests, broken at intervals by towering grey and red stone bluffs. Campsites sit near the broad dirt road. A concrete bridge set just at water level with no side railings eases you across the humorously splashy East Verde River, lots of places to picnic or camp nearby. Someone's tow strap became a rope swing over a deeper pool. If your windows are down, you'll likely hear laughter, and smell someone's barbeque grill. The trail climbs along the river's canyon's northern wall, offering glimpses down into the river's rocky course, passing its namesake mine along the way. And then, after the intersection with Cedar Flat, Crackerjack's mood changes. The best gives way to the worst. Turning away from the picturesque river, the trail tightens on itself, snakes uphill, begins to make your suspension groan, and tosses passengers and loose cargo from side to side. There is little space between the bowling ball-sized embedded rocks. Rock shelves barricade the passage at intervals. It seems never to end. But it does. Just as in Dickens' novel, there is redemption at the end. And satisfaction, too. It was the best of roads. It was the worst of roads. But now you are through both.

Telegraph Canyon Road is a scenic day ride weaving through the rugged beauty of Arizona's Mineral Mountain Mining District. Starting near the historic town of Superior, the trail meanders southwest, offering breathtaking views of iconic landmarks like Picketpost Mountain, Weaver’s Needle, Apache Leap, and the Superstition Wilderness. It intersects with the famed Arizona Trail before concluding at the intriguing Ajax Mine, a site steeped in history and frontier drama.

The Ajax Mine, established in 1915, was once rich in lead and zinc ore, estimated at 20,000 tons by its original operator, B.D. Johnson. Ownership disputes and legal battles defined its turbulent past, including a notorious eviction of the Wallace brothers in 1926. Despite being listed for sale in the 1940s, disagreements among heirs left it idle, with its asking price of $45,000 and unique no-down-payment terms never fulfilled. Visitors can explore its impressive remnants but should use extreme caution as you are likely to encounter open, vertical shafts.