Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Saddlebrooke, Arizona

This cut-across from East Edwin Road to East Cochise Springs Road is a nice 4x4 track that leads you to many more remote campsites and to the "Badlands" loop trail system for mountain bikes. The trail takes you through some beautiful Sonoran desert vistas and past some side trails with their own fla...
Learn more about Badlands Trail

When accessing this trail, the turn to the west from Highway 77 (North Oracle Road) has its own stoplight, making the turn easier. The road has several cattle guards, some with missing bars, so be careful to not get a flat tire. Signs alert you that you're entering Arizona State Trust Land, which ne...
Learn more about East Edwin Road

The trail veers off of the East Edwin Road just after crossing the first wash. You turn north onto the trail. The trail weaves through some tight spots in trees and cacti. The mud holes can get big after a rain, but the bottoms are mostly sandy. The main trail is the most used, but there are several...
Learn more about East Cochie Spring Trail

Start on East Golder Ranch Drive. Turn left through the cattle guard onto E Equestrian Trail. At a corral, you take the right at the Y and proceed onto a single-vehicle-width trail. The trail remains easy with the mountain bike trail called 50 Year Trail crisscrossing the 4x4 trail and campsites alo...
Learn more about 50 Year Trail Loop

Willow Springs Road stands out as one of the best-maintained main arteries in the area, providing a smooth and easily navigable route. This trail accommodates larger vehicles quite comfortably, including motorhomes and campers, especially in sections closest to the southern part of the route where y...
Learn more about Willow Springs Road

You can start this trail from the north at Highway 79 or south at East Edwin Road. The trail follows a small powerline and cuts through several washes. Be careful in monsoon season or while raining. You pass several corrals and go through a couple of BLM grazing gates. The only hazards are cacti, tr...
Learn more about Tortolita Powerline Trail

This is a mid-mountain forest road segment in Catalina National Forest, northwest of Tucson, Arizona. It is accessible via Peppersauce Canyon and is an enjoyable, mildly challenging primitive route that culminates high on a mountain ridge, at the junction for Rice Peak Road. Enjoy exploring higher e...
Learn more about Nugget Road and Rolling Hills

The Backway to Mount Lemmon is a scenic, 28-mile point-to-point offroad route that offers drivers of all skill levels a stunning climb from the desert floor to the high-elevation pine forests of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Ideal for four-wheel-drive SUVs, SxSs, and dual-sport motorcycles, this tra...
Learn more about Backway to Mount Lemmon

Falcon Valley Ranch Trail offers a rugged off-road experience, with dips, erosion, and ruts that add mellow technical challenges along the way. The trail features some braiding, requiring attention to stay on the most passable route. It ends at a locked gate, marking the boundary where vehicle trave...
Learn more about Falcon Valley Ranch Access

This route kicks off in the wooded, lower elevations of Peppersauce Canyon, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. It is a primitive, yet well-traveled two-track that runs parallel to a wash, westward into the Catalina Mountains. This forest road features shade and scenery, multiple small stream crossings, a...
Learn more about Ascent from Peppersauce Canyon

The Gasline Trail mirrors the rugged nature of Lovetta, featuring steep hills with loose, off-camber erosion that requires careful attention. As you navigate, keep an eye out for hilltop campsites, offering scenic spots to stop along the way. The trail eventually mellows out, transforming into a smo...
Learn more about Gasline Trail

If you love breathtaking scenery, driving through saguaro forests, and adventurous off-road experiences, the Continental Copper Access route is perfect for you! This road starts around two-thirds up the mountainside, beginning at the Mount Lemmon Control Road trail, and descends almost entirely to t...
Learn more about Continental Copper Access

The eastern section of East Willow Springs Road offers a well-manicured two-track trail that winds through vibrant fields of prickly pear, cholla cactus, and yucca plants. As you journey along this route, you'll enjoy stunning views of the backside of Mount Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Mountains to...
Learn more about East Willow Springs Road

Lovetta Trail is a rugged, one-lane route that offers steep hills with loose, off-camber erosion, requiring careful navigation. While challenging, the trail remains manageable for experienced drivers. Mellow wash crossings add a touch of ease, with no steep entrances and exits, though there are nume...
Learn more about Lovetta Trail

Goff Wash is a well-traveled and well-compacted trail that connects the gas pipeline route down to Goff Ranch Road, providing a straightforward option for those looking to explore the area. Generally characterized by a flat and easy drive, this trail makes for a pleasant cutover path, allowing you t...
Learn more about Goff Wash

Big Tank and Suffering Wash is a delightful trail that offers a unique glimpse into the area's wildlife. Swing by Big Tank for a chance to observe local bovines enjoying a refreshing drink or perhaps wallowing in the mud. Just be cautious, as you might also find remnants of their presence smooshed i...
Learn more about Big Tank and Suffering Wash

The Freeman Tank trail begins its journey in the deep sands of Suffering Wash, quickly redirecting north towards the large Freeman Tank. This well-maintained path serves as a primary access route for local ranching activity. Respect the surrounding property rights and the connection to ranch land, e...
Learn more about Freeman Tank

This is a more primitive wash trail that has fewer tracks from the east entrance. It goes through some narrow spots between the palo verde trees and ragweed bushes, where the branches are extending into the wash. It stays in the wash the entire time, with a few unmarked splits where the map is helpf...
Learn more about Narrow Wash

Mesa Tank Cutoff is a wide and easy trail that offers a straightforward drive with no obstacles. Expect some cactus along the route, as well as cattle grazing in the area, so keep an eye out. The trail is suitable for all skill levels and provides a relaxing off-road experience. With one bar of cell...
Learn more about Mesa Tank Cutoff

Boulevard is a wide and rolling trail that offers a mellow, easygoing drive. The route features gentle wash crossings and no obstacles, making it a smooth ride for vehicles of all types. With one bar of cell service in the area, it's a good idea to have offline maps downloaded before heading out.
Learn more about Boulevard

This cut-across from East Edwin Road to East Cochise Springs Road is a nice 4x4 track that leads you to many more remote campsites and to the "Badlands" loop trail system for mountain bikes. The trail takes you through some beautiful Sonoran desert vistas and past some side trails with their own fla...
Learn more about Badlands Trail

When accessing this trail, the turn to the west from Highway 77 (North Oracle Road) has its own stoplight, making the turn easier. The road has several cattle guards, some with missing bars, so be careful to not get a flat tire. Signs alert you that you're entering Arizona State Trust Land, which ne...
Learn more about East Edwin Road

The trail veers off of the East Edwin Road just after crossing the first wash. You turn north onto the trail. The trail weaves through some tight spots in trees and cacti. The mud holes can get big after a rain, but the bottoms are mostly sandy. The main trail is the most used, but there are several...
Learn more about East Cochie Spring Trail

Start on East Golder Ranch Drive. Turn left through the cattle guard onto E Equestrian Trail. At a corral, you take the right at the Y and proceed onto a single-vehicle-width trail. The trail remains easy with the mountain bike trail called 50 Year Trail crisscrossing the 4x4 trail and campsites alo...
Learn more about 50 Year Trail Loop

This cut-across from East Edwin Road to East Cochise Springs Road is a nice 4x4 track that leads you to many more remote campsites and to the "Badlands" loop trail system for mountain bikes. The trail takes you through some beautiful Sonoran desert vistas and past some side trails with their own fla...
Learn more about Badlands Trail

When accessing this trail, the turn to the west from Highway 77 (North Oracle Road) has its own stoplight, making the turn easier. The road has several cattle guards, some with missing bars, so be careful to not get a flat tire. Signs alert you that you're entering Arizona State Trust Land, which ne...
Learn more about East Edwin Road

The trail veers off of the East Edwin Road just after crossing the first wash. You turn north onto the trail. The trail weaves through some tight spots in trees and cacti. The mud holes can get big after a rain, but the bottoms are mostly sandy. The main trail is the most used, but there are several...
Learn more about East Cochie Spring Trail

Start on East Golder Ranch Drive. Turn left through the cattle guard onto E Equestrian Trail. At a corral, you take the right at the Y and proceed onto a single-vehicle-width trail. The trail remains easy with the mountain bike trail called 50 Year Trail crisscrossing the 4x4 trail and campsites alo...
Learn more about 50 Year Trail Loop