Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Tucson Mountains, Arizona

Bajada Loop is one to two-lane dirt and gravel loop road within Saguaro National Park that has lots of washboards and some potholes. It is one way in some areas and should be started from…
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When accessing this trail, the turn to the west from Highway 77 (North Oracle Road) has its own stoplight, making the turn easier. The road has several cattle guards, some with missing bars, so be…
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This cut-across from East Edwin Road to East Cochise Springs Road is a nice 4x4 track that leads you to many more remote campsites and to the "Badlands" loop trail system for mountain bikes. The…
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You can start this trail from the north at Highway 79 or south at East Edwin Road. The trail follows a small powerline and cuts through several washes. Be careful in monsoon season or while…
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Start on East Golder Ranch Drive. Turn left through the cattle guard onto E Equestrian Trail. At a corral, you take the right at the Y and proceed onto a single-vehicle-width trail. The trail remains…
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The trail veers off of the East Edwin Road just after crossing the first wash. You turn north onto the trail. The trail weaves through some tight spots in trees and cacti. The mud holes…
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North Pump Station Road is part of Ironwood Forest National Monument and Arizona State Trust Land. This road can be used to complete the long Silverbell Loop around the mountain. It is a smooth well…
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Parker Wash is a typical Arizona wash, featuring the rugged, dry terrain common to the region. Parts of this wash are rocky, with packed dirt. Other sections are deep, soft sand that is easy to…
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New Power Road is a powerline-cutthrough trail that offers a smooth drive with no obstacles to navigate. Expect dips and sections of erosion that add a bit of variety to the terrain. The road serves…
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North Waterman Mountain Trail is a narrow overgrown trail that passes through Ironwood National Monument BLM land and Arizona State Trust Land 5 miles south to West Avra Valley Road. This trail goes through many…
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South Pygmy Owl Trail is a narrow route that requires careful navigation due to its tight sections. The trail features wash crossings and mild erosion, adding variety to the ride, but there are no major…
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Boulevard is a wide and rolling trail that offers a mellow, easygoing drive. The route features gentle wash crossings and no obstacles, making it a smooth ride for vehicles of all types. With one bar…
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This trail offers a simple, low-difficulty route north of Tucson, Arizona, with a six-mile stretch that climbs and winds up the mountain and provides some appealing views. Beyond this section, the road remains straightforward and…
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Willow Springs Road stands out as one of the best-maintained main arteries in the area, providing a smooth and easily navigable route. This trail accommodates larger vehicles quite comfortably, including motorhomes and campers, especially in…
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Coronado Wash Parallel is a smooth and wide trail that offers an easy drive with no obstacles. The route features mellow wash crossings and a mild section of erosion, which adds a bit of character…
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Wash Problems is a narrow and rugged trail that demands careful navigation. Expect paint damage from overgrown vegetation, erosion, washouts, and off-camber sections that add to the challenge. Route finding may be necessary for certain…
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This is a mid-mountain forest road segment in Catalina National Forest, northwest of Tucson, Arizona. It is accessible via Peppersauce Canyon and is an enjoyable, mildly challenging primitive route that culminates high on a mountain…
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Ditch Trail begins as a narrow path and tightens further, offering a more technical drive through a cactus forest. Sneaky cacti are hidden along the route, so keep your distance to avoid potential damage. Erosion…
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Redington Pass is a very popular two-lane road with lots of dispersed camping on the western slope overlooking Tucson. This pass varies in difficulty from deep ruts and washouts with many full washes. Most of…
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Mesa Tank Cutoff is a wide and easy trail that offers a straightforward drive with no obstacles. Expect some cactus along the route, as well as cattle grazing in the area, so keep an eye…
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Goff Cutoff is a vast and mellow trail that winds through a classic desert landscape dotted with towering saguaros. Erosion has shaped the route, creating rough sections that require careful driving, though nothing would cause…
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Gas Diagonal Trail offers an exciting off-road adventure with some tricky spots, including whoops and wash crossings that require a bit of skill to navigate. There's one notable climb out of a wash that may…
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Falcon Valley Ranch Trail offers a rugged off-road experience, with dips, erosion, and ruts that add mellow technical challenges along the way. The trail features some braiding, requiring attention to stay on the most passable…
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This narrow, overgrown trail is a guaranteed paint-damage route, with tight turns and dense cacti lining the path. Drivers should expect a slow, careful crawl through tight sections where vegetation encroaches on the trail. Despite…
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If you love breathtaking scenery, driving through saguaro forests, and adventurous off-road experiences, the Continental Copper Access route is perfect for you! This road starts around two-thirds up the mountainside, beginning at the Mount Lemmon…
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Cucumber Doppelganger is a narrow, technical trail where paint damage is guaranteed due to tight brush-lined sections. Erosion and off-camber terrain make for a challenging ride, requiring precise wheel placement. Wash crossings add to the…
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Southwest Goff Ranch Road offers a well-graded and nicely manicured trail that runs southwest from the gas pipeline road, providing a scenic and accessible journey through the Arizona desert. The trail briefly travels alongside powerlines…
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Iron Valley South is a narrow, rugged trail that offers a challenging ride with steep, off-camber sections and washouts that require careful maneuvering. Erosion and washes add variety to the terrain, with some drops adding…
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This route kicks off in the wooded, lower elevations of Peppersauce Canyon, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. It is a primitive, yet well-traveled two-track that runs parallel to a wash, westward into the Catalina Mountains. This…
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The Freeman Tank trail begins its journey in the deep sands of Suffering Wash, quickly redirecting north towards the large Freeman Tank. This well-maintained path serves as a primary access route for local ranching activity.…
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