Arizona Off-Road Trails

Set in the western portion of the Sitgreaves National Forest, Ohaca, FR 56, is an unremarkable trail through a nice Ponderosa Pine forest and scattered parcels of private property. Named for the fire tower on its western end, Ohaco has minimal dispersed camping and no interesting views. At least it is an easy drive.

Andreda Loop runs along a ridgeline between East Empire Ranch Road and Oak Tree Canyon through the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, briefly crossing Arizona State Trust Land in the center. The trail is a rough dirt two-track with weeds and grass growing in the middle of the trail, presenting only easily navigated washouts and steep climbs and descents with small loose rocks. The elevation creates impressive 360-degree views of the hills and valleys between the Santa Rita Mountains to the west and the Whetstones to the east. Andreda Loop is one of the more remote tracks in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.

One small campsite on the north end has a rock fire ring and level ground for a single vehicle. However, much better camping is available elsewhere in the conservation area.

Melendrez Pass is a scenic off-road trail located in Southern Arizona, perfect for those looking to explore the rugged beauty of the desert. On this trail, you'll experience stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, along with opportunities to spot local wildlife. It's an ideal spot for a day trip, offering plenty of places to pause and enjoy the natural surroundings. This easy off-road trail provides an exciting adventure while showcasing beautiful natural scenery. The trail consists of a mix of loose gravel, slight off-camber sections, and occasional steep inclines that require careful navigation. This trail is mainly used for service vehicles going to the radio/ TV substation that is located near the end of the trail. This area offers a few excellent options for dispersed camping, including several sites that are suitable for tents and smaller travel trailers.

This easy road passes through a well-thinned Ponderosa pine forest dotted with open meadows.  A small campsite is near the west end of the trail.  The east end has a shaded campsite large enough for four vehicles.  The occasional seasonal mudpuddle is the trail’s only obstacle. 

Black Cat Pass runs between Highways 60 and 72 near the tiny hamlet of Hope. The scenic trail has three wash crossings and roughly parallels a seldom-used railroad track. There are gates at both ends. Close them after passing through. Cattle graze in the area. The trail passes massive ocotillo and thick cholla cactus gardens. Several large flat campsites on the northwestern end of the trail are suitable for larger rigs or several smaller ones.

FR301D forms a loop with FR301 from Old Walnut Canyon Road to the Fisher Point trail access. It provides a better alternative during wet weather than FR301, as it does not have as many mudholes and is generally an easier road in soaking wet weather. Please note there is a gate at Walnut Canyon Road; after you pass through, it needs to be closed behind you.  It is unmaintained with ruts, and 4WD maybe necessary.

Camping is not allowed in the FR301 area nor on the north side of Walnut Canyon. 

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.

BANWR 214 runs from the Garcia Ranch ruins to an old windmill at the Coronado National Forest border. The graded road has a steep wash crossing. The trail's highlight is the historic Garcia Family Cemetary, with graves dating back to the middle 1800s. According to docents at the visitor center, the family gathers every six months to maintain the cemetery. Visitors are encouraged to come inside the fence. Just keep the gate closed. There is no camping on this trail.

4343 is a straightforward connector trail linking 4342 to Havasu Heights, providing offroaders a way to bypass the pavement. While it's unlikely that anyone other than those already in the Heights or those wanting to explore every trail will use this route, it's available for those who do.

4357 is the only connector between the Arizona Yucca Mine, 4356, and the neighboring Stagecoach Trails subdivision. While the trail may not offer much in terms of scenery or excitement, this connector provides a way to access a wide range of trails and destinations without the need to backtrack.

One Lane Road, a short, dead-end spur road off Willow Tree Road, leads to several campsites on a peninsula along the north side of Carp Cove. As the name suggests, this road travels down a hardpacked, gravel surface only one vehicle wide. Passing along the road would be incredibly difficult without someone backing up. Luckily, the road is less than half a mile long, and passing can easily take place on either end of the road. Closer to the lake, the road surface becomes more sandy and softer. A 4WD or AWD vehicle is recommended for this road.

There are three shoreline campsites at the end of the road and up to as many as nine campsites, depending on group size and how close you want to be to your neighbor. The pull-through sites are good for pop-ups, teardrops, or offroad trailers. As well as small, single-vehicle back-in sites. The beaches here are river rock, and the coves are great for paddleboarding and kayaks.

Although this road is within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area fee area, there are no entrance stations along the way to obtain a pass.

This rugged off-road trail slowly climbs to the top of Long Mesa before descending to the Verde River, passing through classic Arizona desert scenery with prickly pear cactus, juniper trees, and yucca plants scattered across the landscape. The route is rocky and rutted in places, including narrow shelf roads that require careful driving. Along the way, the trail provides access to several dispersed campsites, and passes beneath power lines. At the end of the road, a locked gate marks the vehicle turnaround, where another campsite is located. From there, a short 0.25-mile walk leads to the Verde River and its lush riparian area, providing a striking contrast to the surrounding desert and a peaceful place to enjoy the water and wildlife.

This moderate, rocky trail follows the power lines and serves as a great route to link with nearby trails for a full day of off road exploring. The terrain offers a mix of rock and dirt with steady elevation changes and a few rough spots to keep things interesting. The most challenging section is a hill that drops into and climbs out of a wash—drivers should use caution here, especially after local storms when water can move through the area quickly. Along the trail, you’ll find two camping options: a smaller site that can fit a couple of rigs with relatively flat ground, and a flat, larger group site on the western end, north of the train tracks, that can comfortably hold 10 or more vehicles.

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.

Aros Wash Road begins directly across from the main entrance to the refuge. The wide, graded dirt road has a staging area at the highway. The track ends as the road enters private property. Campsite 73 is large enough to accommodate an RV plus a second vehicle. The site has flat ground and a fire ring.

Park Road connects Wayside RV Resort and Alamo Lake State Park.  The dirt road is suitable for 2WD but does cross Bullard Wash, which can flash flood following heavy rains.   The road offers glimpses of Alamo Lake and the Artillery Mount Range beyond but is otherwise uneventful.  Watch out for the many feral burros that call this area home.  They are generally shy and harmless but can dart across the roadway anytime.  

There are no campsites along the trail.  The best dispersed camping in the area is at the western end of Wickenberg Alamo Road near Alamo Lake.  Alamo Lake State Park has several campgrounds with various levels of amenities. 

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.

Burnt Corral runs from Highway 286 to the southwestern corner of Pronghorn Loop. The trail is impassable when wet. An old stone water cistern sits trailside, visible for those with a keen eye. The trail has three campsites. Sites 80 and 81 sit off a short spur lableled 256. 80 is a small single site with shade and a fire pit. It also has a skunk den nearby. 81 is large enough for multiple trailer or RVs with shade, a fire pit/grill, and flat ground. 79 is a small pullthrough site with a firepit.

Restoration Point is a short, dead-end spur road at the end of Cottonwood Cove East leading to the shores of Arizona Bay along the Colorado River. This bumpy dirt road has a few dips and ruts but is easily traveled by any high clearance vehicle in dry conditions. However, it may require 4WD in adverse weather. Two campsites are along the road, one before reaching the water and the second at the shoreline. The first is a small site suitable for a single vehicle, while the second site is large enough for several vehicles but is only level in a few small spots. The end of this trail offers excellent water sports activities, fantastic views of the Black Mountains and Mount Davis, and a hike to the south leading to several small lava caves.

Although this road is within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area fee area, there are no entrance stations along the way to obtain a pass.

This trail travels through the Hewitt Canyon area, featuring loose rock and steady elevation changes with nice views of Montana Mountain and the surrounding ridges and valleys. The toughest section is a rocky hill climb near the northern end, but it’s manageable using 4 low gearing. There are several good spots along the way to stop for pictures, and multiple nearby trails can be combined to create a loop. There aren’t any suitable camping areas on this trail, so it’s best enjoyed as a day ride.

Jumbo Wash Road is an 11.5-mile point-to-point trail that follows Jumbo Wash towards Willow Beach in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Enjoy scenic views of Fire Mountain and Malpais Flattop Mesa as you travel down this wide wash. The first section of the trail is an unmaintained dirt road with minor erosion damage in places. After approximately 3 miles, the trail drops into Jumbo Wash, and the remaining trail is mostly shallow loose sand requiring 4WD or AWD to travel. There is a primitive camp site at the junction of Jumbo Wash Road and West Fork Jumbo Wash Road, look for the posted signs for the boundaries of the camping area. Jumbo Wash Road ends at Willow Beach, which has a marina, store, restaurant, boat ramp, RV park and campground, and a fish hatchery (routinely releases rainbow trout on Friday).

Wayside Road provides access from the paved Alamo Road to the Wayside RV Park and the superb camping at the west end of Wickenburg Alamo Road.  The wide graveled road begins on a ridgeline with expansive views of the vast plain on one side and Artillery Peak and its mountain range on the other.  The trail drops off the ridge to cross sandy Bulard Wash before its junction with Wickenberg Alamo Raod at the Wayside RV Park and its dirt airstrip.  

The only campsite along the road is at the intersection with Alamo Road on the southern end.  Given the extensive lakeside camping opportunities at the west end of Wickenburg Alamo Road and Alamo Lake State Park, it is a poor choice.

Watch out for the many feral burros that call this area home.  They are generally shy and harmless but can dart across the roadway anytime. 

The trail starts with the promise of a lush green path into the forest, but in the middle, wildfires have affected it, leaving a swath of destruction. The trail is made of hard-packed dirt with scattered rocks and connects the Secret Mountain Trail to the Little Round Mountain Trail.

The Coconino National Forest has designated the last mile of the trail on the eastern end as a designated motorized dispersed camping corridor. This means that limited cross-country motor vehicle use is allowed within 300 feet of the edge of the trail, specifically for dispersed camping. However, there are no established campsites in this area.

This trail forms a loop with Sunrise Ridge and offers a scenic, moderately challenging route through classic Sonoran Desert terrain. Most of the trail consists of easy, packed-dirt sections with only a few small ruts from seasonal water flow, making much of the drive enjoyable and straightforward. Although the majority of the trail feels easy, it carries a moderate rating due to two key features: Steep hills descending into and climbing out of the main wash and a loose, sandy uphill climb on the west side of the loop.

The sandy climb out of the wash is the most notable obstacle, featuring a 22° grade with soft, loose sand. Four-low gearing is recommended for maintaining traction and momentum up this hill.

Along the trail, drivers are treated to beautiful scenic vistas, including an elevated overlook with a glimpse of Bartlett Lake. The surrounding landscape features classic desert flora, including seasonal desert blooms, cholla cacti, scattered boulder formations, and expansive views of the mountains east of Bartlett Lake.

There are no viable 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.