Arizona Off-Road Trails

Cienguita, a primary Las Cienegas National Conservation Area camping area, runs along a low ridge southwest off East Yucca Farm Road. There are eight designated campsites, all large enough to support an RV. Each well-spaced site has level ground and a fire ring. Shade is minimal from the small mesquite trees. Camping is free but limited to 14 days. There are no toilets or trash receptacles. Potable water is available at the historic Empire Ranch headquarters.

The ridgeline offers excellent views across the expansive grasslands of the old Empire Ranch to the Santa Rita Mountains to the west and the Whetstones to the east.

The trail passes through a cattle gate and becomes narrow and rougher before ending at a seasonal waterhole. Three dispersed sites are past the gate. Don't forget to close the gate behind you.

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.

Chivo Tank Road, 215, runs along a ridgeline on the southwestern side of the refuge. The elevation provides expansive views of the refuge and beyond. There are groves of prickly pear cacti because of the slightly higher elevation. There is no camping along this road.

The first half of the trail offers a smooth, easy dirt drive filled with fun twists and turns through a classic desert landscape. You will wind through scenic groves of towering saguaro cactus, mesquite, and vibrant palo verde trees. While you will encounter several wash crossings along this section, the terrain remains highly manageable and makes for a relaxed, scenic cruise. However, keep a close eye on the weather before heading out, as these low-lying areas are prone to sudden, dangerous flooding during the summer monsoons. When dry, this section is suitable for any high clearance vehicle. If wet, a high clearance 4x4 with good offroad tires is necessary, because the trail will become muddy and slippery. If really wet, avoid this section.

The second half of the trail cranks up the difficulty as you begin climbing into higher elevations. You will face off-camber ruts, steep ascents and descents, more wash crossings, and extended sections of driving directly in washes filled with loose river rocks. Rock sizes vary from baseball to basketball-sized, but you can maneuver around most of the larger ones. The vegetation eventually shifts to juniper trees and manzanita, which may crowd the narrow track closely enough that paint pinstripes are possible. You will find a few primitive campsites tucked away in this rugged section, but because the trail is tight with limited visibility, you must stay alert and watch for oncoming traffic around every corner. Any high clearance 4x4 vehicle can complete this section, but it may be challenging for beginners.

The trail is a popular alternate route to and from the town of Crown King, avoiding the challenges of the Backway to Crown King trail. Take Walker Gulch Trail north, to Wagoner Road east, to Senator Highway south.

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.

Barrel Cactus, 200, bisects Pronghorn Loop. The trail is a seldom maintained two-track with great views. There is no camping along Barrel Cactus.

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.

011 spurs south off the Pronghorn Loop and shares the same road number. It ends near the border at Garcia Ranch Road. The two-vehicle-wide dirt trail is very well-maintained. It passes a large tank (manmade water hole) with massive mesquite trees. There is no camping along the trail.

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 279 is a short and easy graded road used primarily as a connector to Pronghorn Loop and the visitor center from the northeast portions of the refuge. There is no camping on the trail.

Come explore the curiosity of the Chemehueyis Mines, a unique site listed as a past producer in the mine registry. Despite the lack of signs of ore bins, carts, or camps indicating production beyond exploration, over 20 prospects with various ore samples strewn about the surface attest to the site's potential. Evidence of both lode and placer suggests that this site held significant value, or at least all the indicators, so why was it abandoned? Were the weights too low to incentivize expansion, or were the efforts focused on the war with dreams of returning to a golden retirement like so many mines of their time?

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.

Figueroa North Road runs between the Arivaca Sasabe Highway and Secondino. There is a staging area at the southern trailhead. The easy trail begins wide in the south and narrows towards the north. Agave forests line the trail. There are six designated campsites along the trail, with others along the various spurs branching to the east. Camp 45 is a very nice pull-through. The northern campsites are very small. All the sites have fire rings.

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.

Choffo Tank, BANWR 204, goes east off Pronghorn Loop, climbing through grassland dotted with mesquite and groves of ocotillo cacti. The trail ends at BANWR 204, a road restricted to service vehicles only. Campsites 75 and 76 are near the west end of the trail. 75 is a sizeable pull-through site suitable for an RV, trailer, or several vehicles. 76 is tucked away beside a wash under mesquite trees. The site can accommodate one vehicle or a vehicle with a small trailer. Both sites have a fire ring/grill.

Pakoon Basin connects Mud Mountain Road to Pakoon Springs Road and delivers a dramatic drive through several distinct microclimates. The route transitions from wide-open, desolate high desert plains to valleys framed by towering cliffs in the distance, then climbs across lava-rock-encrusted escarpments with vistas dotted by barrel cactus.

The road is mostly small rock and hard, compacted dirt, and is suitable for any high-clearance vehicle equipped with rugged off-road tires, such as all-terrain tires. While the route can technically be driven in 2WD, a 4WD or AWD vehicle is strongly recommended due to the sustained strain the rough terrain places on suspension components and the rapidly changing conditions that can follow any weather event. Low-profile tires are not recommended, and all travelers should carry at least one full-size spare.

Dispersed camping in the northern half is limited to only a few practical sites. The southern end offers a greater number of potential spots, though very few are previously disturbed.

Interestingly, the name “Pakoon” is far from common. According to research documented in Southern Paiute place-name studies referenced by the National Park Service, “Pakoon” is derived from the Southern Paiute name Paakuna for Pakoon Spring(s), combining terms for “water” (paw) and “fire” (koonaw’). Over time, the name was anglicized to “Pakoon” and applied not only to the springs but also to the surrounding basin.

West Chevlon, FR 100, runs seven miles from Deer Lake, FR 169, to Wallace, FR 34, crossing Chevlon Canyon at Barts Crossing. The easy trail passes through a park-like open forest with brush and smaller trees cleared for fire prevention and forest management. The switchbacks leading down to Barts Crossing are steep, but the trail retains excellent traction. There are scattered dispersed campsites throughout the trail.

The track includes the FR 101 spur leading to the site of the historic Nagel Logging Camp. Today, the site is used for fall roundups of cattle that graze in the national forest on leases held by the nearby Dye Ranch. However, it makes a great group campsite. There’s a very old outhouse and a water spigot that is sometimes operational.

4352E is a connector trail between 4353A and National Old Trails, intersecting with 4354 leading up to Palo Verde and Ideal Mines. It's a neat trail to utilize when making a loop, but not a trail you'd seek out.

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 254 begins across from the main entrance to the refuge. The easy trail ends abruptly at Tony Tank with little room to turn around. The easy crossings at Bailey Wash and Los Encinos Wash are the most difficult portion of the trail. Campsite 72 is nestled in trees and large enough for an RV or two smaller 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.

BANWR 270 runs from Highway 286 to BANWR 254. The easy winding two-track trail parallels Bailey Wash. Grass grows between the two worn tracks that comprise the trail. There are no designated campsites along 270.

BLM Road #1036 is a spirited north–south route that provides access into or out of the Arizona Strip. On its northern end, the road is fairly tame, with a few wash crossings and sporadic dispersed campsites. It passes by Rock and Cottonwood Canyons, which cut into the Hurricane Cliffs to the east, offering impressive views.

At the intersection with BLM Road #2004, the wider, tame road narrows into a single-vehicle-wide two-track with a rocky surface scattered with baseball- to basketball-sized rocks. The trail descends into Black Rock Canyon, where a mild shelf road follows along the wash before climbing switchbacks to higher elevation and cattle grazing land, eventually meeting Sunshine Trail Road.

The road is suitable for high-clearance vehicles with 4-low gearing.

Periodically along the trail, you may see wooden posts marking the “Temple Trail.” The Temple Trail traces the route of Mormon settlers who, from 1874 to 1876, operated two sawmills at Nixon Spring for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lumber was hauled by ox team to St. George, Utah, to construct the St. George LDS Temple. The Temple Trail follows this historic route along the Hurricane Cliffs and continues through Fort Pearce Wash.

Additionally, this road loosely follows a portion of the famed Domínguez–Escalante expedition route dating back to 1776.

Reservation Line Road is a C-shaped trail connecting on both ends to the Young Highway.  Both ends of the C offer excellent dispersed camping.  The northern sites sit along a ridge with excellent views eastward into the White Mountain Apache Reservation across a wide valley with the Mogollon Rim in the distance.  The southern sites are flat, and one is large enough for a sizable group.  All the campsites are large enough for several vehicles with shade from the large Ponderosa pines.

The road is rough dirt with a center portion with fist-sized rocks embedded and loose.

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.

Compartidero Road runs from Pronghorn Loop to Mormon Roas in the southwestern portion of the refuge. This two-track is impassable when wet. Campsite 78 is midway along the trail. The site has excellent views, level ground, and a firepit. It is large enough for two vehicles.

Crossover Road is a short, straight-through road connecting Cottonwood Cove East and Arizona Bay Road. The graded road surface is primarily small, loose gravel with occasional washboard. The road is primarily used as a shortcut and offers no camping. It is 1.5 vehicles wide, with room to pass on the shoulders. This road is suitable for any vehicle.

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 is an easy connector trail from Woody Mountain Road to FR6399. When combined with FR6399 and FR6416, it conveniently provides access to Little Round Mountain Trail and the amazing campsites overlooking the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness. The trail is hard-packed dirt with scattered small rocks, and it can be easily completed with most high-clearance stock vehicles. There are no campsites along this trail.

A very short spur trail that’s easy to miss but well worth the detour, leading to a desert gem known as the Rock Corral. Unlike most corrals built with barbed wire or fencing, this one was crafted entirely from stacked stones, a creative use of the limited resources available in the harsh desert environment. Offering a quick but memorable glimpse into the region’s rugged history.

At the end of the trail, you’ll find a small campsite large enough for several rigs, complete with a fire ring—but please note, no camping is allowed inside the corral itself to help preserve this unique piece of desert heritage.

Known as El Paso Gas Pipeline Road, this rugged off-road trail cuts north to south, tracing the path of the El Paso Gas pipeline beneath it. Far more than a utility road, the trail offers a rewarding overland adventure through desert terrain, with a handful of mildly challenging obstacles that keep the journey engaging. Many routes follow the pipeline, some easier than others, but the actual trail is mapped out here. The trail has baseball to bowling ball-sized rocks, one narrow place with brush that may cause pin striping. There a few camping locations, where one spot could host a large group.