Off-roading in Arizona presents a unique opportunity to experience sand, rocks, snow, and volcanic ash. Visit a great place for off-the-beaten-track adventures.  Travelling via backroads and trails lets you experience in the state in an entirely different way. Driving through red rock canyons, forests, and deserts. Off-road, camp, hike and explore Arizona. Take out the ATVs, side-by-sides or an SUV and hit the trails. Here are a few picks from the vast list of off-roading opportunities.

Tombstone, the town known as the “town too tough to die,” is a great starting point for a journey. Ride up into the Dragoon Mountains along the Ghost Town Trail. The route covers more than 100 miles of the still-wild West. It uses the dirt road that was once used as a stagecoach trail connecting Tombstone with the former mining towns of Gleeson, Courtlandm and Pearce. You can then wind you way back to Council Rock before heading back to Tombstone.

Enjoy this wild west trail and bring lots of water, some food, and ample protection from the sun.

Broken Arrow Trail is considered to be one of the most scenic trails in the state. It winds over sandstone beneath the red monoliths in Sedona. This more challenging trail loops 4.1 miles and is generally used in a one-way direction due to its popularity. This trail requires expert level handling around various obstacles along the way. This includes the Steps, a long downhill of reck ledges.  The trail will take several hours to complete so be prepared and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

The Cinder Hills OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) area can be found northeast of Flagstaff.  It is an open area where off-roaders can enjoy the unique volcanic cinder cones of the area. Follow the rules of the area and feel free to go beyond the park limits. The area provides a relatively easy to navigate series of trails. It is a great way to spend a few hours or even days exploring. The terrain is mostly made up of fine pebbles so provides a sand dune type of feel when riding.

Tombstone town is known as the “town too tough to die,”. It is a great starting point for a journey up into the Dragoon Mountains along the Ghost Town Trail. The route covers more than 100 miles of the still-wild West. It still uses the dirt road that was once used as a stagecoach trail connecting Tombstone with the former mining towns of Gleeson, Courtlandm and Pearce. You can then wind you way back to Council Rock before heading back to Tombstone.

Enjoy this wild west trail and bring lots of water, some food, and ample protection from the sun.

This is a perfect series of trails for novice riders. The Mescal Mountains OHV area near Kearny provides everything you need to take a more relaxing off-road trip. There are staging areas, restrooms, water, picnic areas, and a campground. The trails are ricky and twist through the blue mountains and green saguaros of the Sonoran Desert.  The trails include steep inclines and sandy washes.

Remember to bring lots of water especially during the summer months. Take a swim in the Gila River which is 5 miles from the campground.

The Arizona State Parks Authority has consulted with the land/resource managers in the state to provide information. There are ‘designated’ riding areas. This means the federal land managers at the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. They have established criteria that identifies roads, trails, and areas that can be used for OHV recreation.  All the listed areas have received funding from the Statewide OHV Program to develop trails and facilities.