Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Rio Rico, Arizona

Accessed through a suburb, this trail at first appears not to be very interesting, but the further you travel, the more scenic the trail becomes. Winding through ranchland, the trail is bumpy, dusty, and rocky but not challenging until you reach the trail down to the small lake where camping is poss...
Learn more about Wise Mesa - FR4151

At the start of this trail is a large campsite with fire rings in an area passed often by border patrol. At first, the trail is well-maintained and flat, but that changes as you climb into more mountainous areas. The trail leads to a steep climb that ideally requires a low range, immediately followe...
Learn more about Upper Providencia

This is a pleasant trail with great views. It is dry and dusty, with rocky sections and occasional moderate inclines and descents. The trail has a locked gate at the end, but dispersed camping is available. It is windy, and the road is not maintained or graded.
Learn more about Grande Forest Road

This track is an easy drive but can only be driven as a return route unless you drive a very capable 4WD. The track itself is dry and dusty, with rocky sections and occasional moderate inclines and descents. Old mines dot the area, and there are abandoned open shafts, so exercise caution when explor...
Learn more about Palomas Mesa

The FR215 Three Canyon trail leads to an abandoned mine and has two two-track trails that lead to dead ends and private land. The trail surface is dry, dusty, and rocky, with occasional off-camber sections. The abandoned mine at the head of the two-track trail to private land offers a haunting but f...
Learn more about FR215 Three Canyon

This entire trail is road-width, although designated for dirt bikes only. It starts off Sardina Canyon Road (684) in a wash full of small rocks, and rides north towards some rocky outcroppings, riding past the entrance for 485. The trail surface is constantly full of small loose rocks and shallow ru...
Learn more about 486

Are you visiting family in Tucson and want to scratch that dirt road itch? Looking for a quick and easy adventure with sweeping views? Do you want to rally your family's crossover by taking the long way to the car wash? Buckle up, because this is the adventure for you!Mount Hopkins is home to the Wh...
Learn more about Whipple Obervatory Rally

The west end of this trail starts as road-width, winding through the mesquite trees, over a layer of small loose rocks. The trail starts to climb up the rolling desert hill along a fence line, with ruts and baby head rocks, riding past prickly pear cactus and ocotillos. At the top of the hill, the t...
Learn more about 481

It's a scenic trail with plenty of great views. It's not too bad to travel as it's recently been overhauled by the forest service, but it still has a few steep hills and washes to cross that could become difficult in the monsoon season. Overall, it's a great trail to check out!
Learn more about Sardina Canyon

The Montezuma pass is well maintained but corrugated in sections due to high traffic, mostly border patrol vehicles. The views are excellent. You reach the top of the trail overlooking the border with Mexico, and there is a little campsite with a fire ring before the lookout. We camped in the flats ...
Learn more about Washington Montezuma Pass

Forest Road 183 takes you from the low desert up to nearly 6,000FT in elevation past the hiking trail heads for Elephant Head and Aguas Caliente. The route varies from 2wd high clearance to steep and 4wd high clearance recommended by the terminus at a locked gate and towers. There are campsites all ...
Learn more about Forest Road 183

This is a rolling maintained and well-used trail. It loops through the high desert, passing through many flowing streams in the wet seasons. There are old mines all along the route as well as an old dam. Also along the way are three old mining cemeteries. There are many spurs to explore off of this ...
Learn more about California Gulch Forest Road 217

This is a well-maintained and undulating trail that allows you to travel to where the border wall abruptly ends. In parts, there is loose sand along the trail, and there are many areas to camp, further away from the border wall, as well as a restricted area. This trail loops back to Washington Monte...
Learn more about Piedragrosa - Forest Road 4667

Border Road is a well-maintained dirt road that runs along the southern edge of the Coronado National Forest, paralleling the U.S.- Mexico border. This route is frequently patrolled by Border Patrol vehicles, and travelers should expect to encounter agents along the way. The presence of law enforcem...
Learn more about Border Road

This loop trail is accessed through a closed gate. There are private ranches along the trail, and it is imperative that travelers close all gates securely behind them. After the second gate, and beside a well-maintained ranch house, we met an elderly cowboy who stopped to chat, toothlessly thanked u...
Learn more about Flying R Ranch/Guajalote Flat Loop - FR 4695 - 4695A

Scenic views on this trail plus go by the historic ghost town of Ruby Arizona! The road will take you within 2.6 miles of the border with Mexico and along with the views, you'll pass by Arivaca Lake and Pina Blanca Lake. Both are great places to stop and relax on your trip!
Learn more about Ruby Road

This trail is a bit rocky, it rides the ridge above Hog Canyon. You will have views of the town and the mountains in the distance. You will be riding through grassy fields dotted with Mesquite and Oak trees, along with yucca, ocotillo cactus. This is a typical trail not requiring 4-wheel drive or hi...
Learn more about Hog Ridge - Trail 4859

This is a great dirt trail with scenic views. Go right past the historic "Yellow Jacket Mine" and see all the equipment left there. Plenty of views of the surrounding hills and even all the way to the border with Mexico. Travel up to the top of Fraguita Peak for a stunning view!
Learn more about Yellow Jacket Loop

This was a fun and engaging side trail off of Hog Canyon Trail. It meanders down the hill until you reach a gate. Be sure to close the gate if it's closed when you get there. Follow this trail to the end at a large watering pond in the trees. You may or nmay ot find cows at the end of the pond.
Learn more about Hog Canyon Side Trail

FSR 785 is a scenic drive to the trailhead in the wilderness area. You will drive through a canyon with dispersed camping areas. The ride is under sycamore, Alligator Juniper, and oak trees. There are several wash crossings, and many hiking trailheads off this trail. You may see an abundance of wild...
Learn more about FSR 785 to trailhead

Accessed through a suburb, this trail at first appears not to be very interesting, but the further you travel, the more scenic the trail becomes. Winding through ranchland, the trail is bumpy, dusty, and rocky but not challenging until you reach the trail down to the small lake where camping is poss...
Learn more about Wise Mesa - FR4151

At the start of this trail is a large campsite with fire rings in an area passed often by border patrol. At first, the trail is well-maintained and flat, but that changes as you climb into more mountainous areas. The trail leads to a steep climb that ideally requires a low range, immediately followe...
Learn more about Upper Providencia

This is a pleasant trail with great views. It is dry and dusty, with rocky sections and occasional moderate inclines and descents. The trail has a locked gate at the end, but dispersed camping is available. It is windy, and the road is not maintained or graded.
Learn more about Grande Forest Road

This track is an easy drive but can only be driven as a return route unless you drive a very capable 4WD. The track itself is dry and dusty, with rocky sections and occasional moderate inclines and descents. Old mines dot the area, and there are abandoned open shafts, so exercise caution when explor...
Learn more about Palomas Mesa

Accessed through a suburb, this trail at first appears not to be very interesting, but the further you travel, the more scenic the trail becomes. Winding through ranchland, the trail is bumpy, dusty, and rocky but not challenging until you reach the trail down to the small lake where camping is poss...
Learn more about Wise Mesa - FR4151

At the start of this trail is a large campsite with fire rings in an area passed often by border patrol. At first, the trail is well-maintained and flat, but that changes as you climb into more mountainous areas. The trail leads to a steep climb that ideally requires a low range, immediately followe...
Learn more about Upper Providencia

This is a pleasant trail with great views. It is dry and dusty, with rocky sections and occasional moderate inclines and descents. The trail has a locked gate at the end, but dispersed camping is available. It is windy, and the road is not maintained or graded.
Learn more about Grande Forest Road

This track is an easy drive but can only be driven as a return route unless you drive a very capable 4WD. The track itself is dry and dusty, with rocky sections and occasional moderate inclines and descents. Old mines dot the area, and there are abandoned open shafts, so exercise caution when explor...
Learn more about Palomas Mesa