Here Are the 5 Best Trails Where You Can Ride Your ATV in Arizona

The Grand Canyon state surely has a lot to be proud of. It is home to beautiful hidden beaches, cool underground attractions, and even weird roadside attractions that are still worth the drive. Moreover, you can also enjoy riding opportunities in any of the best ATV trails in Arizona that will prove to be a memorable moment in your life. Are you ready for another awesome adventure?

Check out the 5 best ATV trails in Arizona that won’t disappoint:

1. Mescal Mountain Area

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You need to head to Mescal Mountain near Kearny if you are a novice ATV rider. Why? Let’s say it has everything you can ever ask for. It gives you a nice scenery, and the riding trails are rocky and have big washouts regularly. There are also staging areas, campsites, picnic areas, water, and fire pit or grills. If you want to stay for a few days to enjoy the trail, you are more than free to do so.

The ATV area in Mescal Mountain is right outside of Kearny, and some kids treat it as a local night hangout spot. Don’t be surprised if you’re camping out and suddenly see carloads show up in the middle of the night with their stereos in full blast. If you happen to be resting after a good ride at the trail and these guys come in, just chill. You can let them know that you just want to rest. You don’t want to ruin a perfectly good day, do you?

Overall, this is a good trail to ride your ATV in. You should also take note that riding during summer is pretty torturous. It will get really hot and the temperature will cross 100 degrees. During winter, the temperature in this area hovers around 60 degrees throughout the day.

What makes this spot one of the best ATV trails in Arizona: You will encounter many twists and turns between the mountains and the Sonoran desert. It makes for a challenging and fun experience you’ll probably carry for a whole lifetime. The trails are also wide enough, but be careful of the sandy washes, loose rocks, and inclines. It’s also good to cool off with a swim in Gila River, which is not too far away from this area.

2. Dragoon Mountains Area

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Arizona is the ultimate escape for the thrill-seekers thanks to its optimal terrain that’s needed when you’re hitting the trail. The Dragoon Mountains Area is irresistible if you plan to go on a little off-roading activity! You will love the lawless West, especially Tombstone, once you spend a day ATV-ing there. The “town too tough to die” is the starting point of your journey into the Dragoon Mountains. You will love the uneven, rutted dirt road, and you will also be amazed at how it was once a stagecoach trail that connected Tombstone with other towns. These other mining towns are Pearce, Courtland, and Gleeson.

Just set up camp at Cochise Stronghold Campground near Pearce. Once done, you can be on your way and enjoy riding along the rugged ATV trails to the Council Rock. Council Rock is famous because it’s where the settlers and the Apaches signed a treaty, ending their war.

Lastly, one ATV pro tip is to avoid coming here during August. You’ll only dry yourself out. But if you already planned your trip here around that time and there’s no way you can possibly go back, then do it! Just bring lots of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a protective hat. You can also bring some packed fruits just to feel energized. A granola bar is ideal, too.

What makes this spot one of the best ATV trails in Arizona: You will see the beautiful moutons and canyons around Arizona while touring the historical trails of Tombstone, Cochise Stronghold, and Dragoon Mountains. If you go far, you’ll even see rivers, lakes, as well as abundant wildlife that will make you love the state even more!

3. Redington Pass

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This one may be secluded, but there’s no denying that it’s perfect for a good ATV activity, and definitely worth checking out. Redington Pass has several miles of trails that also gives panoramic desert views. You’ll find that there’s plenty of staging area (the main staging area has three loading ramps) and miles of unpaved trail. It’s quite rocky, but it also adds up to the thrill. There’s also sufficient turnaround space for large vehicles.

What makes this spot one of the best ATV trails in Arizona: The views will make you stop on your tracks. There’s just something awe-inspiring about the surrounding desert. You’ll also find hiking trails along the route, and it will lead down to nearby Tanque Verde Creek. There will be a lower trailhead that will take you to the bottom, and you can hike upstream to reach the famous 75″ waterfall where you can go swimming and sunbathing. If you go to the western side of Redington Pass, you’ll be treated to equally wonderful views of the creek, Tucson, as well as the Sonoran Desert floor below.

4. The Great Western Trail

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Ride through the rugged forest roads in Tonto, Coconino, Kaibab, and Coronado National forests for an unforgettable ATV experience! The Great Western Trail is astonishing as it runs for around 800 miles, beginning from the Mexican border and going all the way to Utah.

If you want to go here, you can take the road that winds through Phoenix and Tucson. After that, you can ride all the way to Verde Valley and up the Piney forests just next to Flagstaff.

What makes this spot one of the best ATV trails in Arizona: It’s not just the off-roaders that love this trail. Since the Great Western Trail is considered multi-use, many horseback riders and mountain bikers can attest to the fact that this area is indeed perfect for a good adventure.

5. Broken Arrow Trail

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It’s not like Sedona is famous for being a place that disappoints. Take your ATV here at the Broken Arrow Trail – an awesome trail that offers gorgeous scenery while you ride! You’ll find yourself looking at reddish-orange sandstone cliffs and canyons, that gets its beauty amplified during sunrise or sunset. The Broken Arrow Trail runs just over four miles in a one-way loop. It’s worth noting that the trail is also well-marked and is made up of hard-packed slickrock.

Expect this trail to be packed with fellow adventurers during weekends. It’s also open all year round. You might want to come here early to secure a parking slot in the staging area. There’s also no camping available here, but there are some campgrounds a few miles away you might want to check out.

What makes this spot one of the best ATV trails in Arizona: One word: challenging. The Broken Arrow Trail is particularly steep, and there are some narrow portions that are not recommended for a novice ATV rider. Unless you have the skills to ride such terrain, then you should just steer clear from this one.

Which among these ATV trails have you ridden before? Feel free to share your experience or advice to those planning to go here.