Arizona Off-Road Trails

With a massive campsite bordering a picturesque alpine meadow and a pretty little seasonal lake with a sand beach, FR 612 punches way above its weight class. Set in the vast pine woodlands of the Coconino National Forest, this little trail is worth serious consideration. Features include solitude and a natural water feature. A wooden rail fence surrounds a grassy meadow where elk graze in the evenings. The wind sings a soothing melody in the tops of the tall pines. Seriously fantastic campsites await you and your friends. Cool breezes help you forget the desert's summer heat. Yeah, all that does sound like an advertisement for a retirement village in Florida. But it can all be yours for the low price of a tank of gas and an easy drive into Arizona's high country. Seriously, what do you have to lose? Check out FR 612 today. With our complimentary free camping offer, you can't afford to miss this opportunity.

This easy Ponderosa pine-lined trail leads to a plethora of large shaded campsites.  All have fire rings and could host numerous vehicles.  

The west end of the trail has a historic Civilian Conservation Corps site.  Camp Boyce housed 200 men from 1933 to 1942.  They were mostly involved with road building and forest management.

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona was established in 1985 for the reintroduction of masked bobwhite quail and the restoration of natural landscapes and their native wildlife, including the Sonoran Pronghorn. The 118,000-acre refuge lies in a broad Altar Valley between the Baboquivari Mountains, with their prominent main peak in the west, and the lower San Luis Mountains to the east. In the 1850s, Pedro Aguirre, Jr. built a homestead here in 1864 and named it Buenos Ayres, or "good air," because of the constant winds. His ranch changed hands several times before being purchased to form today's wildlife refuge. The refuge's visitor center is located in the adobe ranch house.

The refuge has over 80 designated campsites identified by a numbered sign. Camping is free and allowed for 14 days in a 30-day period, but only in the designated campsites. Most campsites have a fire ring/grill. Site sizes vary from a single vehicle to large enough for multiple RVs and trailers. Most are suitable for tents.

Fuel and limited supplies are available in the nearby small towns of Sasabe and Arivaca.

Conveniently located near Arivaca, the Mesquite Loop has nine designated campsites set into the foothills of the San Luis Mountains. Site 47, near the trail's western end, is the largest of the campsites. This pull-through has a fire ring like all the other sites. The remaining sites are best suited for a single vehicle. There is a wash crossing and a steep hill climb along the northern segment of the loop. The trail offers outstanding views of Baboquivari Peak and the observatory at Kitt Peak. Spindly ocotillo line the trail.

This short trail is an alternative way to visit River Reservoir without encountering as many people or as much traffic as on the north side of the Greer Lakes. The gravel road is well maintained throughout but may be a problem during rains, as steep hillsides along the south side could produce runoff flooding the road. There are cabins along the early and late portions of the road, which ends at a ranch, and the closed FR8899. At the end of the road is a wide turnaround/parking area and a nice view over River Reservoir to the mountains beyond. Lake access is available at the River Reservoir South Fishing Site, which offers picnicking under a ramada and a vault toilet but no running water.

Camping within the Greer Recreation Area is limited to Forest Service campgrounds in Hoyer and Benny Creek for group camping. The Hoyer Campground has over 100 sites and can accommodate large trailers and RVs.

As a point of interest, the Butterfly Lodge Museum sits at the very start of the road, the historic 1914 cabin home of author James W. Schultz, later his son artist Hart M. Schultz (aka Lone Wolf). Once past the initial cabins, there is an area on the south side of the road with a wooden post fence enclosure that holds the gravestones of three children who died before the age of one. There is a similar but smaller enclosure across the road just a ways further along, but no gravestones are visible.

Forest Road 164 is an out-and-back trail that travels in a northern direction, beginning at Perkinsville Road and ending at the trailhead for River Trail #517. The trail has some sections of loose dirt and rock but can be easily driven in two-wheel drive with high clearance in dry conditions.

This trail offers views of the Mogollon Rim and has a high potential for seeing deer or elk. At the trail's end, there is a single campsite with amazing views of Hell Canyon, the Verde River, and the Mogollon Rim.

Crossing the broad Butler Valley and parallelling the Granite Wash and Harcuvar Mountain ranges to the east, the trail is a well-maintained, unremarkable dirt road until its intersection with Grahams Well Road.  From Grahams Well northward, the trail is an unmaintained track with deep sand, ruts, and moguls following Cunningham Wash.  Avoid this portion of the trail unless you like driving in deep sand.  4WD with clearance is a must.  Recovery boards are highly encouraged.  Expect minor pinstriping.  The northernmost three miles emerge from the deepest sand before ending on Midway Wenden Road near Camp Bouse.

While there are a few small flat areas for camping, there is much better camping at Camp Bouse and along Midway Wenden Road and Grahams Well Road.

The Midway Wenden Road crosses the broad Butler Valley in the east before skirting through the foothills of the Buckskin Mountains via Wenden Pass, just below Battleship Peak. The road's primary purpose was to access Camp Bouse in the 1940s. Today, the road is used to maintain an electrical transmission line. The trail is sporadically maintained and is either deep, natural gravel or sand. Views along the trail are nice if you disregard the powerline. Historic Camp Bouse is the main reason for driving the trail.

There's a huge campsite, staging area, and informational signage at Midway, the intersection at the trail's western end.

Sunflower Flat is a 160-acre fenced wildlife habitat preserve situated along a seldom-maintained forest trail with four superb campsites nestled in the pines of the Kaibab National Forest. Up a short spur trail, JD Cabin is an old homestead with a log cabin and barn. James Douglas settled here in the late 1800s and is supposedly buried nearby. The cabin is old but likely built in the early 1900s as a replacement for the original log structure. Camping isn't allowed at either the wildlife habitat or the homestead, but they are interesting places to visit.

The trail is rutted and muddy after any rain. A carefully driven 2WD with clearance should be just fine.

The trail will lead you deeper into the forest, offering more areas to explore. This out-and-back trail starts at Woody Mountain Road and heads northwest on an easy dirt trail. There are no challenges or camping on this trail; it just gets you off the beaten path. Along the way, you will pass Mos Tank and many fallen trees, some of which are on the trail. You may see a few deer or an elusive elk if you are lucky. The trail ends near the backside of Fernow Cabin. Although the trail does not provide access to the cabin, the corral at the end may be a nice place to take a break or continue hiking on one of the closed forest roads. Old maps may show connecting trails where this one ends, but they are closed and signed as such.

Porter Mountain (FR223) is a short climb most of the distance up toward the communication towers at the summit of Porter Mountain. A gate prevents unauthorized vehicles from continuing to the top, but it is a relatively short walk of a little more than ⅓ mile on the closed portion of FR233 to the towers and the summit. The gravel road is well-maintained, with some washboards and small rocks. The open portion of the road ends at a large turnaround/parking area known as Porter Mountain Outlook, from which one has expansive views (up to 180°) to the west.

The road's shortness and the terrain's nature allow few, if any, campsites.

This offshoot from the Indian Springs Trail provides a scenic route down to the edge of the Verde River, offering a quieter alternative to the more commonly traveled river access points in the area. The trail is composed primarily of hard-packed dirt and sand, with numerous water-carved ruts and mild off-camber sections that will moderately flex your suspension. While not overly technical, these features contribute to a moderate overall rating and require attentive driving.

Be sure to stop at the high point just after cresting the saddle, where you’ll find an excellent vantage point with sweeping views of the Mazatzal Mountains rising to the east. This is one of the most scenic moments along the trail and a great place for photos.

The trail ultimately descends to a small riverside area at the Verde River. While it’s a pleasant spot to stretch your legs or enjoy a quick break, the ground here is uneven making it unsuitable for camping. There are no suitable campsites along this trail.

This trail is part of the Tonto National Forest St. Clair OHV permit area.  A permit is required. Use the permit link above for more information.

In the early days of aviation, navigation was always an issue. Old Plamosa Road leads to one of the innovative ways early airmail pilots found their way across the country. Rocks are laid out spelling QUARTZSITE with an arrow pointed roughly towards the town. Another arrow with a very large N points north. Low-flying aircraft navigated from sign to sign.  

Old Plamosa Road is a bypassed dirt section of the original when the new road was paved. It is suitable for 2WD vehicles and crosses two minor sandy washes. The rock navigation arrows are fenced off from a large parking area. There are numerous campsites for rigs up to and including RVs.

North a short distance is the Bouse Fisherman, and intaglio rock art dating from at least a thousand years ago. 

Bighorn Cove Road is a scenic 4.5 mile out-and-back trail that travels along the Mead-Liberty/Phoenix power lines to Bighorn Cove on Lake Mohave. The trail winds around mountain spurs and draws. Enjoy the stunning views of the Eldorado Wilderness area as you enter a wash for the last mile of the trail before entering the cove. Bighorn Cove Road is maintained by the National Park Service with a few rough sections of sand and gravel. The cove is a great place to relax for lunch when in the Willow Beach area or to spend the night camping. Bighorn Cove is a popular stop for Kayakers when traveling the Black Canyon National Water trail. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a fee area and requires an entrance pass to recreate within.

Hidden behind Black Hill, The Flats is precisely as it sounds, a large wide open flat terrain. The highlight of this route is the camping. The easily accessible trail, with its smooth flat ground, is close to a collection of Arizona's best 4x4 trails. In dry conditions, the route can be easily driven in 2WD. The trail can be muddy for weeks during the Winter or after late Summer monsoons. Mud tires and 4WD are needed if you encounter mud. You must obtain an AZ State Land permit to access this area.

Mohave County Road 103 connects the Mount Trumbull Loop’s Main Street section to Grand Canyon National Park’s Kelly Point Road (NPS 1203). From Main Street, the road transitions from a well-graded surface to a lesser-maintained BLM road. It soon enters the Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument, where the surface becomes increasingly rocky and uneven. From this point onward, expect a mix of rough dirt, muddy ruts, and stretches of bumpy rock. Depending on the most recent maintenance, you may need to straddle ruts or navigate shallow mud holes, especially in the final miles. Overall, the terrain remains suitable for any high-clearance vehicle and is considered non-technical. However, the road surface is soft in places, and wet weather can quickly turn sections into mushy mud that can trap vehicles. Free-range cattle are also common along the route.

Much of the drive winds through stands of pinyon trees, which obscure many of the long-distance views. Still, you’ll encounter several openings that offer impressive vistas. Near the end, as elevation increases, the landscape transitions into ponderosa pine forest before meeting Kelly Point Road at the boundary of Grand Canyon National Park.

While the surrounding terrain generally supports dispersed camping, there are surprisingly few established sites along this 43-mile stretch. A couple of good spots can be found near Main Street, with several more located in the ponderosa pines during the final third of the route. A vault toilet is available at the midpoint.

For hikers, this route offers more than just access to the National Park boundary. It also leads to the Mt. Dellebaugh Trail, a 6-mile round-trip hike with 883 feet of elevation gain. At the trailhead, an interpretive sign shares the story of several men who had reached their limit during the first expedition into the Grand Canyon. The story reads like this:

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Abandoning the 1869 Powell Expedition

Three terrified men, overwhelmed by their journey into the Grand Canyon, finally had enough of white-water rapids and near-death experiences. Seneca Howland, O.G. Howland, and William Dunn were members of John Wesley Powell's first Grand Canyon expedition. Powell and his team were exploring and mapping the west on behalf of the U.S. government.

As Powell led the group into the mysterious depths of the canyon, everyone's fears grew. Some muttered about wanting to leave the expedition. As steep as it was, Dunn and the Howlands talked of climbing out of the Grand Canyon.

Powell implored the trio to stay but after one too many scares their minds were made up. They walked away from the small wooden boats and into history.

It must have been a grueling climb, but the three were able to hike up through what is known today as Separation Canyon. That is an astonishing 5,000 feet of elevation gain. After they reached the canyon rim, they needed to get their bearings. The men likely climbed Mt. Dellenbaugh to get above the trees so they could figure out what direction to travel. Then they disappeared. Ominous rumors spread that they had been killed.

Powell successfully completed his expedition. Later he returned to the area to find out what happened to the men. Controversial stories point fingers at a few suspects, but the truth will likely never be known. In the end, Dunn and the Howlands were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their bodies were never found.

When the men abandoned Powell's expedition, they had already traveled over 250 miles through the Grand Canyon. Even Powell couldn't have known, but the group was only 25 miles from the end of the canyon. Had the Howlands and Dunn stayed with Powell and endured a few more terrifying days on the river, they would have likely survived the journey.

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Interestingly enough, Mount Dellenbaugh is named after Frederick S. Dellenbaugh, who was an artist, topographer, and explorer who joined John Wesley Powell’s second Colorado River expedition in 1871–73. The interesting part is that the Dellenbaugh Tunnel in Moab is also named after him.

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona was established in 1985 for the reintroduction of masked bobwhite quail and the restoration of natural landscapes and their native wildlife, including the Sonoran Pronghorn. The 118,000-acre refuge lies in a broad Altar Valley between the Baboquivari Mountains, with their prominent main peak in the west, and the lower San Luis Mountains to the east. In the 1850s, Pedro Aguirre, Jr. built a homestead here in 1864 and named it Buenos Ayres, or "good air," because of the constant winds. His ranch changed hands several times before being purchased to form today's wildlife refuge. The refuge's visitor center is located in the adobe ranch house.

The refuge has over 80 designated campsites identified by a numbered sign. Camping is free and allowed for 14 days in a 30-day period, but only in the designated campsites. Most campsites have a fire ring/grill. Site sizes vary from a single vehicle to large enough for multiple RVs and trailers. Most are suitable for tents.

Fuel and limited supplies are available in the nearby small towns of Sasabe and Arivaca.

Sierra Vista runs from Highway 286 to a gated parcel of private property, crossing Big Bertha along the way. The trail is graded and well-maintained. It's a nice cutoff going to or from Camp 74.

The Wakefield Cabin trail is a dead-end trail that takes you through historic ranch land. Near the end, as you descend into a small canyon, you'll notice an abandoned Buddhist cabin on your left. The trail dips into a wash for about a quarter mile, so it's important for riders to follow the trail maps closely. There is a section where the trail briefly exits the wash before re-entering, which helps avoid a significant step that could potentially damage your vehicle.

Be aware that part of this trail is in a wash with loose sand and gravel. Depending on recent weather, you may encounter moving or standing water, as well as trenches. There are several off-camber areas and large ruts to navigate, so choosing a good line will be beneficial.

Like the other trails in this area, there are no obvious camping spots. State Trust permits are required for this area.

FR193 is a well-maintained connector from US-180 to the Kendrick Mountain road and area. No camping is allowed on this road unless indicated otherwise; the USFS has the areas near US-180 closed to camping due to excessive impacts.

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona was established in 1985 for the reintroduction of masked bobwhite quail and the restoration of natural landscapes and their native wildlife, including the Sonoran Pronghorn. The 118,000-acre refuge lies in a broad Altar Valley between the Baboquivari Mountains, with their prominent main peak in the west, and the lower San Luis Mountains to the east. In the 1850s, Pedro Aguirre, Jr. built a homestead here in 1864 and named it Buenos Ayres, or "good air," because of the constant winds. His ranch changed hands several times before being purchased to form today's wildlife refuge. The refuge's visitor center is located in the adobe ranch house.

The refuge has over 80 designated campsites identified by a numbered sign. Camping is free and allowed for 14 days in a 30-day period, but only in the designated campsites. Most campsites have a fire ring/grill. Site sizes vary from a single vehicle to large enough for multiple RVs and trailers. Most are suitable for tents.

Fuel and limited supplies are available in the nearby small towns of Sasabe and Arivaca.

Castle Rock Tank begins in the refuge as 202 and enters the Coronado National Forest, changing road numbers to 4115. The trail is well maintained, with a few wash crossings and ruts. It ends at a lollipop turnaround. There are fantastic views along the trail and a dense grove of ocotillo cacti. A spur to the east leads to the mouth of an interesting canyon. There are no campsites inside the refuge, but several large sites sit roadside in the national forest portion. The sites can accommodate multiple vehicles and have rock fire rings.

Diverging off Garland Prairie, Double Tank runs south to two trailheads for the Sycamore Rim Trail, dead ending at the last of the two.  The Ponderosa pine forest opens to alpine meadows and prairies along the way.  Sunflowers dot the trailside.

There’s no camping at the hiking trailheads, but two large dispersed campsites are roadside.  A small single site overlooks the wide Garland Prairie.  

This scenic little drive is an easy gravel and dirt trail with a possible seasonal firm-bottomed mudhole.