Arizona Off-Road Trails

This scenic drive used to be a difficult, rough track but is now a smooth, well-graded road. It takes you up and over a mountain pass near Williams Mesa, before descending to Boulder Creek. On the way up, it follows Cottonwood Gulch through beautiful Sonoran Desert terrain filled with Saguaro cacti, mesquite, and palo verde trees. Along the way you’ll find a couple great campsites with stunning views—perfect for sunrise or sunset.

The road once provided access to the Tip Top Mine, but the owners have blocked it off and it’s now inaccessible. There’s also one gate, at the top of the pass, that must stay closed after passing through. Overall, it’s an easy and rewarding drive with minimal effort for big desert scenery and peaceful creekside access at the end.

The trail begins as a mostly smooth sandy wash that offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. As you cruise along, the landscape is dotted with classic desert flora, including towering saguaro cacti, low-lying prickly pear, and sprawling mesquite trees. Watch for an old weathered cattle pen on the east side of the trail.

Soon, the route transitions into a narrow, bumpy section winding tightly through rugged volcanic rock formations. Beyond this mildly rocky challenge, the terrain levels out until you reach a surprising grassy area surrounding a quiet cattle pond. After that, it opens back up into a wide sandy wash that carries you smoothly all the way to the end of the trail.

Any stock high clearance vehicle can traverse this trail, but four wheel drive is recommended due to the loose sand. The short rocky section has baseball to softball sized rocks and isn't difficult to get through. No campsites were located along the way, but the grassy area might make a nice lunch spot. Keep an eye on the weather during monsoon season so you don't get caught in a flash flood. Traveling southbound takes you down in elevation, and the trail ends at Castle Hot Springs Road.

FR 124H, stretching 6.6 miles along the Mogollon Rim in Arizona, is far more than a simple connector between Sawmill Springs and Mahan Ranch. While it loosely follows a powerline corridor, the route delivers a surprisingly scenic and engaging drive, weaving between open clearings with expansive views of rolling high-country terrain and dense stands of ponderosa pine, fir, and spruce. The road itself is primarily packed dirt with embedded rock, featuring frequent dips, curves, and mild elevation changes that keep drivers attentive without being overly technical. The most challenging section comes near the southern end, where a tight switchback leads into a short but steep, rocky climb out of a drainage, requiring careful tire placement and moderate ground clearance. Overall, the trail is suitable for most high-clearance vehicles and offers a rewarding mix of forested solitude, sweeping vistas, and a touch of technical driving, with dispersed camping available near both ends for those looking to extend the experience.

The Shannon Basin Trail is a 10-mile point-to-point trail that skirts the base of Groom Mountain as you cross the Shannon Basin from HWY 93 to Chicken Springs Road. The trail is mostly a rough dirt road with minor erosion damage in places. There are three areas that are challenging for independent suspension vehicles. Two areas, the weeble wobbles, are sections of major erosion damage that will test the articulation of your suspension. The third, the washout, is a steep drop and quick exit from a wash while turning. This trail is great for the beginner looking to increase their confidence and skills.

The views along this trail are stunning. As you climb in elevation, the scenery comes to life with desert flora. Groom Peak is a great backdrop for wonderful mountain views. There is a hearthstone and fireplace that remains from an old rancher's cabin along this trail. Also, several large veins of Quartz can be seen protruding from the rocks, some the size of a small car.

There are very few locations suitable for camping along this trail. If camping, ensure you do not camp on any private land along this trail.

Connecting the Crosscut Trail to the Moores Gulch Trail, this short but rugged desert track delivers a true off-road adventure. Expect steep descents, mildly challenging terrain, and a mix of baseball- to bowling ball-sized rocks that will keep drivers engaged from start to finish. A stock high-clearance 4x4 is capable of handling the trail, but confidence behind the wheel is a must. No camping is available.

Though short in length, this trail packs plenty of fun into a quick desert adventure. The route follows a corridor of power lines across distinctive white dirt terrain, winding through scattered Palo Verde trees, scrub brush and several small rocky steps that add just enough challenge to keep things interesting. The highlight of the trail awaits at the western end, where a steep hill climb provides an exciting test of traction and driving skill. Along the way, the open desert scenery offers a classic Arizona experience, and a single camping spot makes it a great destination for a quiet overnight stay. Whether you're looking for a quick run or a relaxing evening under the stars, this trail delivers a rewarding mix of scenery and off-road fun.

The Temple Bar to Gregg's Hideout connector is a 15-mile point-to-point trail that crosses the Lost Basin Mining District. This open desert area was once very active with several mining claims in the early 1900's. Now deserted, the desert flora and fauna abound, with stands of creosote bush and white bursage. Though no dispersed camping is allowed on the Lake Mead National Recreation Area portions of this road, those sections on BLM land dispersed camping is allowed and there are a few sites along the trail. The trail has a few sections with minor erosion damage.

Back Road is a 14-mile point-to-point road that goes from Bogles Ranch Road to Wikieup. This is a graded and maintained County Road. There is a section of loose sand that could be troublesome for a 2WD vehicle. This is a great option if looking to get off the pavement of Highway 93.

This connector trail links the Standard Wash and Mohave Wash areas with Planet Ranch Road. It is an easy trail overall, with most sections allowing you to simply look out the window and enjoy the scenery, though a few rocky and rutted spots require picking your line.

One of this trail's highlights is its distinctive volcanic rock formations, with clear bedding and layers that are certainly worth traveling at least once to see if you're into geology. It also passes through reddish soils and patches that resemble caliche but are actually a hard, fine-grained tan-and-white material blanketing the ground. Desert vegetation includes ocotillo, Palo Verde trees, and various cacti.

Please drive with extra caution on the western side of the trail, where there are several blind corners and hills that can hide fast-moving oncoming traffic.

Navigating this short out-and-back Sonoran Desert trail begins with a rough entrance that immediately tests your vehicle's articulation among a dense landscape of towering saguaros, cat-claw brush, and heavily armored prickly pear. As you push further along the track, the terrain demands constant focus to clear palo verde trees that hug the narrow path, increasing the chance of Arizona pin-striping. The route challenges drivers with rutted, off-camber washouts that require precise tire placement and high clearance, followed by a steep hill descent to the bottom. Driving back up the hill will be required upon departure.

Despite the punishing obstacles along the way, this demanding route rewards adventurous drivers with a secluded campsite situated on an overlook at the end of the trail. This prime spot allows you to set up camp and decompress after battling the technical washouts and tight clearances, offering a quiet desert sanctuary surrounded by classic Sonoran flora. Whether you are running the trail as a quick afternoon technical challenge, or using it as a remote overnight stay, it delivers a quintessential, heart-pounding desert 4x4 experience.

Any high clearance 4x4, with an experienced driver, can tackle this trail. Take your time on the way down the hill, because part of it will tilt you to the side and may feel a bit tippy, but it's not bad. Once at the bottom, the campsite has an amazing view of the Bradshaw Mountains to the west.

Leviathan Mine trail is a 21-mile point-to-point trail that begins from HWY 93 north of Wikieup, Arizona and climbs into the Hualapai Mountain range. The trail is mostly a narrow mountain shelf road with sections of erosion damage. There are a couple of small rock gardens along the trail; the most significant rock garden is close to the southern end of the trail.

The Leviathan Mine trail has several old copper and gold mines situated along the trail, the most popular one being the Leviathan Mine. The Leviathan mine was productive during World War I, producing molybdenum and Copper. Most mines are situated on private property and may have no trespassing signs posted. While exploring this area, be respectful of private property and be aware of the hazards posed by old mine shafts and structures. The trail also provides amazing views of the surrounding area.

Camping is allowed along this trail, but there are very few good areas for setting up a campsite.

Lower Antelope Wash is an 8.5-mile dead-end trail in the Hualapai Mountain range, which starts from Blake Ranch Road and ends at a livestock corral and watering hole. This trail primarily provides access to multiple watering holes for local ranchers. Lower Antelope Wash trail has minor erosion damage, including potholes and washed-out sections, that expose small rocks, softball to football-sized. The trail is easily passable by any high clearance 4WD vehicle, but will be problematic for low clearance vehicles. This trail is very scenic, with lots of Mohave Desert flora and fauna to view. Dispersed camping is allowed along this trail, and there are several established sites with stone fire rings.

Antares Road is a 31.5-mile point-to-point road that traverses through the Hualapai Valley from Route 66 to North Pierce Ferry Road. With the Music Mountain range to the east and the Cerbat Mountain range to the west, this road provides multiple majestic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Antares Road is a maintained county road with minor washboarding and minimal erosion damage. It is passable by any vehicle.

Music Mountains is a 17-mile loop trail that begins and ends on Route 66 and travels through the Music Mountain range. The Music Mountains are a rugged, scenic mountain range with peaks between 4,500 and 6,000 feet scattered with Pinyon Pines, Juniper Trees, and Purple Sage. The large geological feature in this area is the Grand Wash Cliffs, where you get spectacular views of the Hualapai Valley, Cerbat, and Peacock Mountains. This trail is easy with only minor erosion damage and some steep hills with loose rock, and is passable with any high clearance 4WD vehicle. Dispersed camping is allowed on this trail with several established primitive sites with fire rings. This is an open range area with active ranching operations; be cautious of livestock.

7192 is a 3.5-mile point-to-point trail that begins at Black Bridge off of Old Trails Road and is used primarily as a connector trail to other trails in the Hualapai Mountain Range. There is a large staging area at the western end of the road, where you will find plenty of room for trucks and trailers. The road primarily follows an easy dry wash with only minor erosion damage and loose sand. The middle section is what gives this trail its moderate rating, where the road climbs a narrower drainage with erosion damage that will test the limits of a stock 4WD vehicle's articulation.

Bogles Ranch Road is a 24-mile point-to-point trail that climbs up through the Aquarius Mountains from Highway 93 to Francis Creek Ranch. The trail is a well-maintained county road and the easy option for accessing the Goodwin Mesa Area. Enjoy the Mojave Desert flora as you gain elevation in the Aquarius Mountains. The trail provides several locations for great vista views of the Hualapai Mountain range to the west and the Goodwin Mesa to the east. Heavy rain can make this road extremely muddy, do not travel for several days after heavy rain to keep damage to the road at a minimum. Dispersed camping is available once you enter BLM land on the eastern portion of the trail. Suitable for any vehicle iwth decent ground clearance.

Hackberry Road is a 14-mile point-to-point road that connects Route 66 to Highway 93, crossing under Interstate 40. The road runs along the Hackberry wash between the Cottonwood Mountain range to the east and the Peacock Mountain range to the west. This is a maintained county road with minor washboarding. There are some larger washes that cross Hackberry Road, creating the most difficult spots along this road, with wide stretches of deep, loose sand. Passable by most 2WD vehicles and all AWD and 4WD vehicles.