Cinder Hills OHV

full-limited Icon
5/5 (13 reviews)
Flagstaff, Arizona (Coconino County)
Last Updated: 12/14/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

People come here for a one-of-a-kind experience: climbing “dunes” made of volcanic cinder at 7000-8000 feet elevation, with amazing views. This is a really unique and excellent attraction. It is also not for the faint of heart or those with low clearance or street tires. Most of the users come to camp along FR776 and tear it up on quads, razors, dirt bikes, and rails. There is some professional-grade hill-climbing done here, including the 900-foot critical-slope (e.g. falling down slope) “Hundred Dollar Hill”. The hill was named after the cost of broken parts on every attempted climb; in 2019 it should probably be called "thousand-dollar hill". There are dozens of other climbs with the same risk and challenge. And, really, isn't the climb that breaks your rig the one you should call Hundred Dollar Hill? Some of us more casual off-road enthusiasts show up in jeeps or similar - and will not be climbing these epic slopes. Those who come in RVs will stay close to the main road. This OHV area is right in Flagstaff, so you can get out, have your fun, and be back at home or hotel in time for lunch. Deep snow adds another dimension to the fun and risk. This is also one of the best places to camp in Arizona, because of the unlimited and uncrowded dispersed camping options all over the dunes- especially if you're an overlander capable of climbing a hill and camping on top.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

5/5 (13)
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
12350
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 12/14/2022

On the snow, it's SLICK AS SNOT!
Trail Review: Cinder Hills OHV - Ben Ruddell
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
12350
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 10/28/2022

Open and in good condition. The fire did little damage.
Trail Review: Cinder Hills OHV - Ben Ruddell
Temporary Closure
Visited: 05/20/2022

Closed due to fire that went through the area
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
12350
Temporary Closure
Visited: 05/08/2022

Here's a closer view of the fire closure area. Most of the area was unaffected, but the entry and forest around the entry burned, so there is no way in currently.
Trail Review: Cinder Hills OHV - Ben Ruddell
User Avatar
Official Crew
inline-aa Icon
17900
Temporary Closure
Visited: 04/23/2022

In the tunnel fire closure area.

43% containment on 4/29/22
Link to 4/29Map

From the Community

Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail guide
Start Free Trial