Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Tucson Mountains, Arizona

Bajada Loop is one to two-lane dirt and gravel loop road within Saguaro National Park that has lots of washboards and some potholes. It is one way in some areas and should be started from Hohokam Road to complete the loop. This loop takes you deep within the Saguaro Wilderness with access to many hi...
Learn more about Bajada Loop, Saguaro NP

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

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

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

Gas Line Road offers a classic desert wheeling experience, winding through a stunning tapestry of protected landscapes, including the Ironwood Forest National Monument, BLM sections, and Arizona State Trust Land. This single-lane trek provides an intimate look at the rugged backcountry of the Southw...
Learn more about Gas Line Road

North Pump Station Road is part of Ironwood Forest National Monument and Arizona State Trust Land. This road can be used to complete the long Silverbell Loop around the mountain. It is a smooth well graded dirt road with washboards in some areas and deep rolling washes. There are signs this area wil...
Learn more about North Pump Station Road

North Waterman Mountain Trail is a narrow overgrown trail that passes through Ironwood National Monument BLM land and Arizona State Trust Land 5 miles south to West Avra Valley Road. This trail goes through many washes as it meanders through the dense saguaro and cholla valley. Expect pinstripes if ...
Learn more about North Waterman Mountain Trail

Redington Pass is a very popular two-lane road with lots of dispersed camping on the western slope overlooking Tucson. This pass varies in difficulty from deep ruts and washouts with many full washes. Most of the western side can be traversed in a low clearance 2wd with caution but it's not advised....
Learn more about Redington Pass

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

South Pygmy Owl Trail is a narrow route that requires careful navigation due to its tight sections. The trail features wash crossings and mild erosion, adding variety to the ride, but there are no major obstacles along the way. Expect potential paint damage from nearby vegetation, so you may want to...
Learn more about South Pygmy Owl Trail

Parker Wash is a typical Arizona wash, featuring the rugged, dry terrain common to the region. Parts of this wash are rocky, with packed dirt. Other sections are deep, soft sand that is easy to sink into with the possibility of getting stuck. The trail is currently blocked, making it impassable unle...
Learn more about Parker Wash

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

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

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

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

Coronado Wash Parallel is a smooth and wide trail that offers an easy drive with no obstacles. The route features mellow wash crossings and a mild section of erosion, which adds a bit of character but doesn't pose any significant challenges. Perfect for all vehicle types, this trail provides a comfo...
Learn more about Coronado Wash Parallel

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

Wash Problems is a narrow and rugged trail that demands careful navigation. Expect paint damage from overgrown vegetation, erosion, washouts, and off-camber sections that add to the challenge. Route finding may be necessary for certain areas as the trail shifts with the terrain and nature reclaimed ...
Learn more about Wash Problems

This route to Chiva Falls follows the main Chiva Falls Trail (Forest Road 4417), offering a scenic and more approachable way to reach the falls without tackling the notorious Three Feathers obstacle. It's a classic Sonoran desert run with big skies, rocky hills, and sandy washes. Chiva Falls is best...
Learn more about Chiva Loop - Forest Road 4417

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

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

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

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

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

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