Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Vail, Arizona

Whipple Obervatory Rally

Are you visiting family in Tucson and want to scratch that dirt road itch? Looking for a quick and easy adventure with sweeping views? Do you want to rally your family's crossover by taking the…
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Total Miles
7.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa / Wi

Backway to Mount Lemmon

Many drivers opt to skip this unremarkable backroad. There is a 6-mile section of the road that climbs and winds up the mountain, but other than that, it is pretty uneventful. Unlicensed vehicles are okay…
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Total Miles
45.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Jackson Cabin

This trail is a long day, but we thought it was well worth the trip. The scenery is nice, there is a natural bridge, and the cabin is interesting. You will pass through Muleshoe Ranch…
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Total Miles
26.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Copper Creek Trail

This trail starts out on Arizona State Trust land which requires a permit from the state and are easy to get and last year. It also crosses private land and requires each rig to sign…
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Total Miles
12.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Ruby Road

Scenic views on this trail plus go by the historic ghost town of Ruby Arizona! The road will take you within 2.6 miles of the border with Mexico and along with the views, you'll pass…
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Total Miles
19.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su

Copper Creek Ridge & Bunker Hill Mine Trail

This trail cuts off the Copper Creek Trail, takes off up the mountain in a series of switchbacks to the top then goes along the ridge. There is a spur trail that goes to the…
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Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Wi / Su

Yellow Jacket Loop

This is a great dirt trail with scenic views. Go right past the historic "Yellow Jacket Mine" and see all the equipment left there. Plenty of views of the surrounding hills and even all the…
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Total Miles
8.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp

Old 96 Ranch

This biggest portion of this Jeep trail is an easy and relaxing trip on a well-maintained gravel road from Highway 79 south of Florence to Highway 77 at Dudleyville. This is where you can explore…
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Total Miles
60.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa / Wi

Chilito Mine

Chilto Mine road takes you to around 2,500 feet in about 3 miles. With great views of the valley you start in. The bonus is that it gets a little tougher at the Chilito Mine…
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Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

West Swift Trail 366

The West Swift Trail is the route to the top of Clark Peak. This 6-mile road is a rough dirt road with a few rock ledges and potholes. It is wide in many areas and…
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Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
2 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…
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Total Miles
22.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Pioneer Pass

Pioneer Pass starts near the center of Globe, circles the south side of Pinal Peak, and ends on Forest Service Road 651 leading to Pinal Peak. Climb to Pioneer Pass at 6,000' elevation, drop into…
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Total Miles
20.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Pinto to Pinal

This Jeep trail is 50 miles, including the road up to and down from Pinal Peak and the one out to Madera Peak.This series of easy, scenic roads will take you from Pinto Mine Road…
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Total Miles
29.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Wagon Tracks, Apache Tears and Arnett Canyon

Begin at the east end of the airport and follow the trail to the Wagon Tracks. According to the Tom Kollenborn Chronicles the tracks were the results of the ore wagons hauling silver ore from…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Putz Cemetery and Superior View

A trail to some historical graves and a fantastic viewpoint. A pretty drive even if you don't care for the history, but we recommend checking the history section below. From US 60, go directly across…
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Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Pucker Ridge Bat Cave

A short distance after the Mini Grand Canyon you have a chance to hike to the Bat Cave. This will probably take an hour and involve a small bit of rock scrambling. Drive to the…
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Total Miles
0.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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…
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Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Black Hills Back Country Byway

The Black Hills Back Country Byway is an unpaved road that provides access to thousands of acres of BLM land. There are many areas to camp, hike, mountain bike, or explore side tracks via 4x4.…
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Total Miles
20.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi