Trail Overview
The Cinder Hills OHV Area is a unique off-road playground just northeast of Flagstaff, offering riders and drivers access to a surreal volcanic landscape covered in fine black cinder. Spread across thousands of acres, this area features open riding zones, hill climbs, and rolling terrain dotted with ponderosa pines. There are no formal obstacles, but the terrain itself—composed of loose cinders—creates a constant challenge in traction and vehicle control. Riders will find mild to moderate whoops, frequent elevation changes, and optional steep hills to climb, especially toward the northern and central zones. Camping is allowed throughout, with dispersed spots tucked beneath the trees or out on the open cinder flats. It's common to see everything from dirt bikes and UTVs to full-size 4x4s exploring the area. While there's no established trail system, countless informal routes crisscross the hills. Trail Features:Terrain: Loose cinders, whoops, hills. Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on your line. Highlights: Hill climbs, dispersed camping, forested cinder landscapeCamping: Open dispersed camping throughout the areaCautions: Traction issues on steeper slopesCell Service: Spotty to decent in open areas. This is an ideal area for recreation, testing rigs, or spending a weekend with family—just be ready for the loose volcanic surface that defines the Cinder Hills.
Difficulty
There are no main obstacles along this trail, and the trail itself braids into and out of several other trails along this loop. The loop itself has whoops of varying size and spacing, and areas of deep, soft cinders that could become problematic, especially if you're not aired down or in a 2WD. The trail accesses several hill climbs, campsites, and areas of varying terrain. This is a popular area, with dispersed camping throughout. Remember, if you do have a fire, to check local and Coconino) County regulations, as this area is prone to large and uncontrollable wildfires.
History
The Cinder Hills Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area, located near Flagstaff, Arizona, has a rich history intertwined with volcanic activity and astronaut training. The area was formed by eruptions from Sunset Crater approximately 900 years ago, leaving behind volcanic cinders and lava flows. In the 1960s, the Cinder Lakes Apollo Training Area was created within the cinder hills to simulate the lunar landscape for astronaut training and equipment testing.
