Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Carefree, Arizona

Cramm Mountain Loop

This very short, easy, loop trail around Cramm Mountain offers sweeping 360 views of the desert landscape. It does seem that this trail is minimally used and therefore has vegetation overgrowth in places - higher…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Walnut Spring Trail

This out-and-back trail begins right off Seven Spring Road, and immediately there is a sandy river wash to cross. Be aware that it could be hazardous in flash flooding conditions. Shortly after, there is a…
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Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Maggie May's Way

This out-and-back offshoot leads to a fun area with a handful of both easy and advanced trails. This particular trail is not very technical itself, although water erosion on or next to the trail is…
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Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Mesa Connection

This easy dirt road section is the start/end of a 60-mile trail. It leads to the top of the mesa with beautiful desert views and scattered primitive camping. Connects to the (OnX) New River trail.…
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Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

El Paso Pipeline Road

This is a dirt-covered service road that is regularly maintained. It's a fun, easy route for getting to different areas. Nothing technical about this trail aside from a couple of sandy washes. Note of caution,…
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Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp

Cactus Express

A quick, short little section of trail that connects Lake Pleasant road to Saguaro Way trail, which leads to a shooting area. There is nothing terribly technical about this route aside from a couple of…
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Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Saguaro Way

This section of trail weaves its way through the beautiful desert and leads to a shooting area at the North end. It also connects to a handful of other trails. There are a couple of…
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Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp

Trail 9949

This short section of trail is more narrow and therefore is only open to small utility SXS and smaller. No full-size trucks or SXS's. Nothing too technical on this trail, aside from one section with…
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Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp

Bloody Basin Road

Take a day to drive this road that will take you through Agua Fria National Monument. You'll want to take your time to explore archaeological sites and petroglyphs along the way. You can also enjoy…
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Total Miles
35.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Road Between Worlds

This mostly easy out-and-back trail traverses through the beautiful desert grasslands of the Agua Fria National Monument and Tonto National Forest at an elevation too high for saguaros and too low for alpine forests. The…
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Total Miles
11.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Indian Fort

A stone wall fort on a small flat-top hill just off the Table Mesa North Access Road. Drive to the base of the hill and scramble up an easy climb to enter the fort. Commanding…
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Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Maggie Mine

Very scenic trail in the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains. Although not far from the highway and Black Canyon City, this route feels isolated and offers a chance to spot wildlife, beautiful desert plant life,…
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Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Windmill Wash

Beautiful scenic loop through the foothills of the Northwestern portion of the Tonto National Forest off of Bloody Basin Rd. The trail circles around Mesa Butte (5125 ft), which is easy to spot and runs…
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Total Miles
6.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Castle Hot Springs Road

Castle Hot Springs is a natural hot spring that has had a series of resorts, several of which have burned. It is now privately owned and overseen by caretakers. Not open to the public.As of…
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Total Miles
33.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Twin Buttes to Hwy 74

This is a great short and quick trail, or gateway trail, through desert terrain that gets you from the Twin Buttes to Hwy 74. This trail is north of the Vistancia area, which can lead…
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Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Rolls Road

From the first parking lot on Four Peaks Rd heading south, the road is whoops and sandy washes to a rocky road, then you'll be at the parking lot for Butcher Jones. Please note there…
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Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Wi

Bulldog Wash

This trail is just off Ellsworth Road, and takes you right to Bulldog Canyon trail. Most of it is a sandy wash that weaves around the Arizona desert. Expect some canyon walls, with one one…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Mount Ord

Mt Ord is almost 7000' elevation, so it is a nice place to be in hot weather, but not so good after a cold winter storm.This trip is an enjoyable way to spend a short…
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Total Miles
16.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Carefree Highway R87 Exit

This trail allows riders a simple route to Highway 87 from the Wrangler's Nest Trail or the West Vistancia Loop Trail. If you have ever off-roaded in this area you know how difficult it is…
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Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Senator Loop

Senator Loop is a moderate trail in Crown King. Senator offers plenty of camping and scenic views of the Prescott National Forest. If you're visiting Horsethief Lake, the direct way is staying on Senator and…
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Total Miles
11.3
Tech Rating
2 Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Reimer Road to Squaw Peak Road

This is a trail suitable for stock 2WD SUVs with higher clearance. The trail takes you through the scenic plains of the Prescott National Forest. There are small sections with loose rocks and dry river…
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Total Miles
35
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Buckhorn Wash Trail

Buckhorn Wash Trail connects Castle Creek Road (Wash) to Bradshaw Mountain Trail, then to Constellation Road (Wickenburg, AZ) Which then offers two choices. Going north leads to the North end of the Box Canyon Hassayampa…
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Total Miles
9.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Senator Highway, Crown King Road

This is a long and windy road that takes you to Crown King. Because of its length, and the many things to see and do along the way, you'll want to allow plenty of time…
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Total Miles
28.4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Heifer Hills

Heifer Hills is an easy-going trail with beautiful views of the southern Prescott National Forest. It is surrounded by rolling hills and wildlife. The road is mild with some ruts and washes that won't be…
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Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Twin Buttes Hiking Trail

This generally easy dirt trail leads to the Twin Buttes hiking trailhead. There is a pull-out parking area that can accommodate about five cars. This area is open range, and the trail passes next to…
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Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Ox Wash Singletrack

This is an entertaining beginner singletrack. This track winds through the desert with some great views and unique cacti to see. There is one hill that is a bit loose with a washout that can…
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Total Miles
14.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Fa

A-Cross Road

A-Cross Road is an easy 25-mile drive through the beautiful countryside north of Roosevelt Lake. There are wide open views of Roosevelt Lake and the Sierra Ancha Mountains for the entire length. One area of…
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Total Miles
24
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Wi / Fa

Tow Strap

This trail is relatively easy in a stock truck. It is a steep incline of 2.5 miles. Closer to the top the trail has a couple of tight technical turns. Once you reach the top…
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Total Miles
12.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

504 to Pole Line

504 to Pole LineThis trail is quite rutted. Evidence of large machinery recently grading the trial was apparent, and lots of rocks lined each side of the trail. This area can get pretty muddy in…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Strawberry to Pine

This dirt trail connects the small mountain towns of Pine and Strawberry. It starts smoothly from Pine but is a series of switchbacks gaining some elevation. There is a popular hiking trail 1/4 mile in…
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Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp