Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Rock House, Arizona

This sandy and rocky trail winds its way down a wash, offering a fun and scenic alternative to Cherry Creek Road, which runs parallel nearby. The route is mostly easy to navigate, with some overgrown vegetation in places, but nothing too restrictive. It’s an enjoyable drive as the trail meanders thr...
Learn more about Braddock Creek - FS 9

This trail drops quickly into a sandy wash where the driving is mostly easy and flat, surrounded by dense vegetation lining the canyon walls. After following the wash for a while, the route climbs out along the edge of the canyon, opening up to beautiful views of Black Mesa in the distance and sagua...
Learn more about Braddock Creek - FS 3274

This easy two-track features mostly smooth terrain with a few mild washouts that create occasional off-camber sections. There are several good dispersed camp spots along the road, making it a nice option for a quiet overnight stay. Some tighter stretches of palo verde line the trail and may leave yo...
Learn more about Bar Eleven Road - FS 1073

This rocky, bumpy two-track begins with a steady climb up a saguaro-covered hillside, with several great camp spots offering beautiful views along the way. About 0.2 miles in, keep an eye out on the right for a unique crested saguaro. As you continue climbing, the trail opens up onto a large plateau...
Learn more about FS 1079

This tight, lightly traveled trail winds through overgrown vegetation and feels seldom used, with brush crowding the corridor for much of the drive. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful, massive saguaros and catch great views of Roosevelt Lake in the distance. The route eventually dead-e...
Learn more about FS 1772

This very old and overgrown track runs along the eastern side of the mesa, offering absolutely stunning views as it descends toward a fenced wildlife water catchment development. The trail travels through open grassy mesa terrain mixed with low desert vegetation, cacti, and scrub. Throughout the dri...
Learn more about FS 3271A

This two-track branches off the very easy, graded Cherry Creek Road and winds its way up toward the top of Black Mesa. The route climbs almost the entire way. Early on, you drop into and out of a few easy washes with short, rocky climbs on the exits. As you gain elevation, the trail becomes smaller ...
Learn more about Black Mesa - FS 3271

This trail is a mix of rocky and sandy two-track that passes through a small wash early on, with very little elevation change along the route. A few good dispersed camping spots are scattered along the trail, and you’ll have great views of Aztec Peak and the Angel Wings rock formation high on the ri...
Learn more about FS 1494

This trail begins as a wide, open dirt road heading toward Roosevelt Lake, with several excellent camp spots along the way that can easily accommodate larger groups of 6 to 8 rigs. The road stays relatively wide and easy for most of the route, though a few washouts create mild off-camber sections. A...
Learn more about FS 227

This rocky two-track climbs steadily up the side of a hill, weaving through tight, overgrown trees that narrow the trail. Despite the tighter corridor, the drive is incredibly scenic with sweeping views of Roosevelt Lake, Angel Wings, and the surrounding desert filled with saguaros. As you gain elev...
Learn more about FS 1495

A-Cross Road is an easy and highly scenic 25-mile route north of Theodore Roosevelt Lake, making it an excellent option for beginners, overland travelers, and scenic drivers looking to explore the Arizona backcountry. Starting near State Route 188 on the west, this graded dirt road winds eastward th...
Learn more about A-Cross Road

This tight trail descends gradually toward the edge of the lake, with a few dips in and out of washes along the way. The route is mostly straightforward but consistently rocky and bumpy, making high clearance necessary. Dense, tight vegetation lines the trail and will almost certainly result in some...
Learn more about FS 1730

This short, scenic dirt spur is ideal for history enthusiasts and novice offroaders seeking to explore a unique relic of Arizona's desert past. Spurred off the Globe-Young Highway (State Route 288) near Warm Creek, the trail leads directly to the ruins of an abandoned mid-century estate, offering a ...
Learn more about Swimming Pool House

This tight, overgrown trail winds through dense vegetation that narrows the corridor and will likely cause some pinstriping. The road is consistently bumpy with scattered rocks and washouts, making high clearance necessary. A few dispersed camp spots are dotted along the route as it gradually descen...
Learn more about FS 273

This rocky two-track begins by passing through an old ranch area before continuing into a dense saguaro forest. The trail features some tight sections from vegetation, washouts, and follows what is essentially a very mild shelf road along the side of the mountain. While the exposure is limited due t...
Learn more about FS 45

This trail starts out as a fairly easy track, though tight vegetation quickly lines the corridor. Within the first 0.1 miles, look for an old stone building on the right. As you head north, you’ll be treated to beautiful views of the canyons ahead, including a stunning section where the trail skirts...
Learn more about Parker Creek - FS 243/3294

Oak Creek Cabin is an ideal route for scenic explorers and beginner offroaders seeking a relaxed drive through the rugged Tonto National Forest to a historic forest cabin bordering the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. Spanning roughly 10.5 miles round-trip, this trail starts off State Route 288 (Young Road)...
Learn more about Oak Creek Cabin

This trail begins by following along Connor Wash on a rocky but relatively wide road lined with desert vegetation. The route stays mostly level at first, with a few small dips in and out of sandy washes. As you continue, the trail gradually climbs up onto a ridge, offering scenic views of Angel Wing...
Learn more about Connor Wash - FS 110

FS 1738 is a fun little trail with a few washouts that leads to a network of other trails. The majority of this trail goes in and out of a wash that is full of cattle, so be very aware of your speed. This trail will change with rain as the sides of the wash get washed out. When turning off Highway 1...
Learn more about FS 1738

The trail turns south off Highway 188 near Roosevelt Lake. This route is a smooth and wide road that leads to a ranch at the end. Please be aware of animals. There are signs up towards the end of the trail stating no camping due to a watering hole nearby. When looking south, you do get great views o...
Learn more about FS 83

This sandy and rocky trail winds its way down a wash, offering a fun and scenic alternative to Cherry Creek Road, which runs parallel nearby. The route is mostly easy to navigate, with some overgrown vegetation in places, but nothing too restrictive. It’s an enjoyable drive as the trail meanders thr...
Learn more about Braddock Creek - FS 9

This trail drops quickly into a sandy wash where the driving is mostly easy and flat, surrounded by dense vegetation lining the canyon walls. After following the wash for a while, the route climbs out along the edge of the canyon, opening up to beautiful views of Black Mesa in the distance and sagua...
Learn more about Braddock Creek - FS 3274

This easy two-track features mostly smooth terrain with a few mild washouts that create occasional off-camber sections. There are several good dispersed camp spots along the road, making it a nice option for a quiet overnight stay. Some tighter stretches of palo verde line the trail and may leave yo...
Learn more about Bar Eleven Road - FS 1073

This rocky, bumpy two-track begins with a steady climb up a saguaro-covered hillside, with several great camp spots offering beautiful views along the way. About 0.2 miles in, keep an eye out on the right for a unique crested saguaro. As you continue climbing, the trail opens up onto a large plateau...
Learn more about FS 1079

This sandy and rocky trail winds its way down a wash, offering a fun and scenic alternative to Cherry Creek Road, which runs parallel nearby. The route is mostly easy to navigate, with some overgrown vegetation in places, but nothing too restrictive. It’s an enjoyable drive as the trail meanders thr...
Learn more about Braddock Creek - FS 9

This trail drops quickly into a sandy wash where the driving is mostly easy and flat, surrounded by dense vegetation lining the canyon walls. After following the wash for a while, the route climbs out along the edge of the canyon, opening up to beautiful views of Black Mesa in the distance and sagua...
Learn more about Braddock Creek - FS 3274

This easy two-track features mostly smooth terrain with a few mild washouts that create occasional off-camber sections. There are several good dispersed camp spots along the road, making it a nice option for a quiet overnight stay. Some tighter stretches of palo verde line the trail and may leave yo...
Learn more about Bar Eleven Road - FS 1073

This rocky, bumpy two-track begins with a steady climb up a saguaro-covered hillside, with several great camp spots offering beautiful views along the way. About 0.2 miles in, keep an eye out on the right for a unique crested saguaro. As you continue climbing, the trail opens up onto a large plateau...
Learn more about FS 1079