Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Maricopa Colony, Arizona
Margie's Cove Trail
Margie's Cove Trail skirts the south side of Margie's Peak, splitting the Sonoran Desert National Monument and North Maricopa Wilderness. The trail is mostly a rutted dirt track with long stretches of soft sand. You… Learn more about Margie's Cove Trail
Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Twin Buttes to Hwy 74
Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
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,… Learn more about El Paso Pipeline Road
Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp
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… Learn more about Carefree Highway R87 Exit
Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / 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… Learn more about Castle Hot Springs Road
Total Miles
33.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp
Agua Caliente Road
Loop the Gila Bend Mountains while visiting the Gillespie Dam and Bridge plus Sundad Ghost Town.Start this run in Gila Bend then go north up the Gila River Valley on historic US Route 80, which… Learn more about Agua Caliente Road
Total Miles
83.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Sonoran Desert 8009
Take Freeman Road exit about 17 miles east of Gila Bend. BLM. Camping is available, but put some distance between yourself and the interstate. It is an easy drive, though clearance is necessary in some… Learn more about Sonoran Desert 8009
Total Miles
11.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Cactus Express
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… Learn more about Saguaro Way
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… Learn more about Trail 9949
Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / 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… Learn more about Ox Wash Singletrack
Total Miles
14.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Fa
Hassayampa River
The Hassayampa River trail is a wide sandy wash. Great for playing around in the sand, with a lot of smaller shorter trails to explore. You will need an Arizona State Trust Land recreational permit,… Learn more about Hassayampa River
Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / 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… Learn more about Bulldog Wash
Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / 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… Learn more about Indian Fort
Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp
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… Learn more about Buckhorn Wash Trail
Total Miles
9.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Cramm Mountain Loop
Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
3
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… Learn more about Maggie May's Way
Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Belmont Mountain
Watch for open mine shafts on this scenic mountain road. The view from above is phenomenal. There is an optional route to the east that is narrow and fun for ATVs and UTVs. Learn more about Belmont Mountain
Total Miles
12.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
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.… Learn more about Mesa Connection
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Walnut Spring Trail
Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / 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… Learn more about Rolls Road
Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Wi
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,… Learn more about Maggie Mine
Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Road Between Worlds
Total Miles
11.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Buckhorn Road in the Bradshaw Mountains
Buckhorn Road connects many trails in the Bradshaw Mountains. It is a groomed dirt road with easy riding. The views are amazing as you come west down the mountain facing Wickenburg, AZ. Easliy down in… Learn more about Buckhorn Road in the Bradshaw Mountains
Total Miles
3.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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… Learn more about Senator Loop
Total Miles
11.3
Tech Rating
2
Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Peralta road
Peralta road is an easy, graded dirt road. Although the road is not challenging, it still leads to great views and has plenty of turn-offs for dispersed camping. If you are into hiking, this road… Learn more about Peralta road
Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Black Hills, Box Canyon and Beyond
This mostly graded trail ends at Hassayampa River on one end and the other at the transition to the more difficult section of the Scenic Loop. In winter and rodeo season there will be lots… Learn more about Black Hills, Box Canyon and Beyond
Total Miles
5.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
Box Canyon at Hassayampa River
This trail will take you along the Hassayampa River. Often, the river is dry or shallow. There are some great shady spots provided by beautiful redrock walls. You can get off the trail on Rincon… Learn more about Box Canyon at Hassayampa River
Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Sawtooth Mountain Loop
AZ State Trust permit required. This is a scenic trail that circles around the Sawtooth Mountains. The trail is on BLM and AZ State Trust and skirts private land. You will experience forests of cholla… Learn more about Sawtooth Mountain Loop
Total Miles
22.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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… Learn more about Senator Highway, Crown King Road