New River Trail

Started from i17 side was pretty washed out and big rocks . The rock garden section has been flattened and widened . The trail took a total of 2:50 to do it all with like 20mins worth of stoping

Went west to east and the first half was pretty bumpy and eroded. A couple climbs that will challenge most stock 4x4s. Recommend a lift and 35’s to get through without too much trouble. After the halfway point the trail has been graded and its smooth sailing, even for a Toyota.

Cooler temps in the morning. Not too dusty with the light showers past couple days. Western River crossing was 2-6” (no photo). Included photo is the crossing further east and was about 4” average. New: US Forest service is smoothing/grading the road moving westbound. I encountered a bulldozer and pickup truck about the halfway point. While the smoothness and lack of ruts are appreciated, the disturbed, deep/soft dirt slowed down my dual sport for a couple miles until I reached solid road where grading was not needed. They said they would be there for a couple weeks working. Appreciate their efforts!

Traveled east to west. Trail becomes more challenging in the middle. Steep inclines, rock gardens with basketball size rocks, deep ruts that will max your articulation. Good spotting and a moderate lift recommended. Stock 4x4’s can make it but will drag on several spots. OnX rated 6, we all agreed a 7 rating is more appropriate. Ranching in the area so watch out for cattle on the road.

Super washed out. Still passable but, lots of sharp rocks. I was surprised I didn’t pop any tires with my 9,500lb beast. I didn’t get any photos of the worst parts. Just come prepared and or with buddies. I wasn’t and feel kinda lucky I didn’t have any problems. Beautiful trail nonetheless.

Pretty easy. Just sitting on 3in lift and 35s aired down. Bumped my sliders around. My only difficulty with a full size pick up long bed was banging and scuffing the sliders occasionally and scuffed a rim. Was a beautiful and scenic. I don’t think the trail was that difficult

Last time I did this was December 2025 but man how this trail has changed in the last year. 4Runner Full 33s, 2.5" lift, high clearance rear bumper and despite picking the best lines, I was constantly hitting and scraping skids and sliders, clipped the bumper and slashed 2 sidewalls on my E load Mud terrains (Only 13k miles on them) 18 miles in leaving me stranded for hours. A year prior to this I had managed with minimal scrapage but the storms this last year made this trail unrecognizable. You can do it with 31s-33s and a decent lift but expect to hit a lot even with good tire placement. Make sure you have a way to get help before heading out as there is no signal in the area. And lastly, do NOT attempt this trail past 4pm. The boulder field is not of worry as people have moved most of the large boulders to the side of the trail your biggest worry on this trail are the sharp rocks and I would not attempt this trail with older tires.

We came in through Bl00dy Basin Road decided to leave through New River Trail. Rated 4 so we didn't think it would be that bad. Definitely a at certain points along the way very rocky Some interesting obstacles. My Jeep is a 2015 JK / 3.5" lift with 33 inch tires we were able to make it but did bottom out a few times. Once we got through everything it was actually a very good time Next time I would probably come in New River and exit through Bl00dy Basin making the harder obstacles earlier on in the day.

Tacoma sport on 31s, 2.5 lift. Very rough. Only made it just under three miles, and the ruts were so deep that even some side by sides were turning around. I'm not sure I would do it even what i'm on thirty threes with a 3 inch lift

Like other have said the wash outs are getting rough. Rock gardens often and picking the correct line is essential. I'd say this trail should be a 5/10 now. Water in the washes was flowing well today.

This is not a 4. I would rate this a 5.5+. Many people went through (probably 10 or 12 vehicles ahead of and behind me) but the the were multiple who were stuck with some of the challenges and with flat tires. I will say except for the person who got two flat tires everybody else made it. I was alone meaning, not in a group, the wife came but it was just us in our side by side. Plus the side by side is not built for speed, it is built for climbing so it handled it well but I can say it was one of the more challenging trails. Modify vehicles, vehicles and spotters etc would make it safer. Stock vehicles and little experience is likely going to be an expensive mistake. It is fun and very beautiful. It is quite doable but if you're not in a side-by-side and you don't want to tear up the underside of your regular vehicle and you're not on 37s with a lift your going to want to choose good lines take your time and go slow. There's also a deep water crossing in the beginning 12-18 inches

Rough ruts, very deep. Large rock gardens. I drove on bone stock Lexus lx470 with rock sliders . Had to be very specific about lines. From mile 4-19 it was slow going, tire placement most of the way. I made it through with minor bumps. I’d rate it a 6 or 7. 😀. It was listed as a 4. Without all the rutted out sections it would be a solid 5 with rock gardens. About mile 17 there is a large rock garden. Lifted jeeps struggled over it. Bypass down through stream but if flowing more it would be tough to bypass. Great trail. Took three hours to go 19 miles.

As previous reports have stated, this trail should definitely be rated higher than a 4 after the rains. As I have a stock 2025 4runner with 33s, be prepared for lots of undercarriage abuse, riding up on 3 wheels, mild water-crossings, and some pinstriping. I went without a spotter, which is doable, but not recommended. Especially with "lower" clearance vehicles. Managed to do it in about 6hrs.

Dry trail. Most western crossing was the deepest at about 12”. Previous descriptions were spot on - boulders, washouts, ruts.

It was a little spicy in a few spots but drove the whole thing in 4 Hi. Really rutted and washed out from mile 3 to 13. The rest is just a dirt road. I was solo and no spotter…I don’t recommend that. Stock Bronco Badlands Sasquatch of 35’s. Didn’t need lockers or the sway bar disconnect. I was on three wheels quite a few times but pick good lines and it’s doable. Definitely not a 4…more like a 6. I did Bulldog Canyon that’s also rated a 4 and this was significantly harder.