What Are Some of the Best Off-Road Trails in Arizona?

Arizona is a playground for anyone with an ATV, dirt bike, or other capable off-road vehicle. It offers high quality trails across the entire state. Whether you want to enjoy a fun weekend, a week, or more, Arizona is a premier destination.

We’re here to help you get the most out of your time in Arizona. Check out a few of the best off-road trails in Arizona. This will help you plan your next off-roading trip to the Grand Canyon State.

El Camino del Diablo

El Camino del Diablo is a 250-mile journey through the Sonoran Desert. As you can tell by its name, it’s a challenging drive. The trail was historically a series of Native American footpaths. Then it was used by would-be miners and immigrants. Many died of dehydration, heat stroke, hyperthermia, and sunburn.

Today’s trail is suitable for vehicles that can handle dirt, so long as they have extra water and emergency supplies. There are no emergency or tow services available on the journey, so travelers must be self-sufficient. Temperatures can soar beyond 120 degrees in the summer, and drop below freezing in winter.

To travel El Camino del Diablo, riders will require a US Marine Corps permit, obtained from the air station in Yuma. It continues through the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, meaning riders must also get a US Fish and Wildlife Service permit for that portion. You should be aware that permits indicate the possibility of “permanent, painful, disabling, and disfiguring injury or death due to high explosive detonations from falling objects such as aircraft, aerial targets, live ammunition, missiles, bombs, and other similar dangerous situations.”

Broken Arrow

One of the most popular and best off-road trails in Arizona, Broken Arrow is a moderately difficult adventure. Located in Sedona, this trail is only four miles long but feels like a more extensive journey thanks to its challenging conditions. Expect at least one hour to traverse Broken Arrow. It is more likely to take several hours with heavy traffic.

The trail begins with a rock ledge, weeding out vehicles that are not a good fit for the path. You will need high clearance to traverse the rocky trail, which is often slick and narrow. If you encounter other vehicles in tight locations, you may have to back up to a pullout to allow others to pass.

A half-mile in, there is a split designed to create a one-way system. The idea is to reduce congestion. Past Chicken Point, a spur that will take you to the Devil’s Staircase, the most challenging part of the trail. Of course, it’s a fun option, too!

Backway to Crown King

This is a challenging, practically legendary Arizona trail, starting by Lake Pleasant and climbing up into the Bradshaw Mountains. At 26 miles long, it is considered a moderately difficult trail. Beginning in the remains of a once-thriving mining town, the trail is well-maintained, but steep and rocky, with some sections of narrow shelf road.

That said, many of the challenging areas of the trail have a bypass, allowing for navigation options. The step is the hardest obstacle, with no potential bypass. The angle of approach is a challenge, along with the 18-inch step and many rocks on the path.

This route will ultimately lead you to Crown King, another former mining community. There, you will find a general store and saloon. Expect this trail to take about five hours to complete.

Cinder Hills OHV

The Cinder Hills OHV area provides 13,500 acres of open space, consisting of volcanic cinders. Riders can travel anywhere within the boundaries of the recreational area, with a few designated trails in place. There are two main roads, FR 776, which is a gravel road, and FR 777, which starts as gravel and becomes cinder track.

If you choose to ride on the established roads, the terrain is more manageable. You can venture off-trail to make travel more difficult. There are options for large hill climbs, including the Hundred-Dollar Hill, a climb of almost 900 feet.

Cinder Hills OHV sees medium-to-heavy traffic. Some routes are restricted to licensed vehicles only. The Forest Service provides motor-vehicle-use maps and an OHV trails map for ease of navigation. Be aware that there is a no-glass container policy, all riders under 18 must have a helmet, and everyone must have an approved spark arrester.

Looking at these trails and the many others across the state, it is clear that adventure awaits the brave. There are so many ways to enjoy Arizona via trail, whether it is a short easy ride or a long journey through the desert. As long as you are traveling in a capable vehicle and aware of the challenges of your chosen trail, you’re in for a fun time. Arizona offers unforgettable experiences for off-road drivers of all types.