4-Wheeling
The Great Western Trail
Arizona's 800 mile portion of the 3,000 mile national trail is an off-pavement touring route following backcountry roads from Mexico to Utah. The Great Western Trail will be primarily on US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management backroads, some four-wheel drive tracks and double track paths. Little if any new construction will need to be done to make the route a reality. It's like a river and some parts are smooth as glass, others are more difficult. If you're in a hurry forget it and you need to be self sufficient. The Great Western Trail is a motorized trail for four-wheel drive vehicles and should NOT be confused with the Arizona Trail which is strictly for non-motorized transportation and hikers.
4-wheelin' fun spots
·Here's the Scoop! - "There is an important difference between "off-highway" and "off-road." The first term refers to travel on unpaved roads and trails; the second means cross-country travel. While there are still some areas where cross-country travel is not prohibited, it is not encouraged anywhere. Cross-country travel causes damage to soils and vegetation, leads to erosion and stream sedimentation, and disturbs wildlife. With the exception of designated open riding areas, it's best to limit your travels to existing back-country roads and trails." Leo Drumm, Arizona Game & Fish Department Off-highway Vehicle Coordinator.
In 1991 the Arizona State Legislature created the Off-highway Vehicle Fund to develop facilities, provide information and education, repair environmental damage caused by unauthorized vehicle use, and provide law enforcement. For more information contact the Arizona State Parks' Off-highway Vehicle Program Coordinator at 602-542-7115.
·Here are the Fun Spots!
Alpine Snowmobile Trails - Yes, snowmobiling in Arizona! The high elevations of the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest offer hundreds of miles of routes for the snowmobile rider. 520-333-4301.
Black Hills Backcountry Byway - The old Safford Clifton highway takes you back in time and offers some challenging 4x4 side trips. Contact the Bureau Of Land Management, Safford District at 520-428-4040.
Empire Cienega Resource Conservation Area - Rolling savannah, and spectacular views of southeast Arizona's "Sky Islands" can be experienced on the Empire Cienega's extensive network of two-track roads. Contact the Bureau of Land Management, Safford District at 520-428-4040.
Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area - You can get a workout riding on the 1,900 acre "open" dune area, then unwind in one of the two hot tubs near the camping facility. You can also explore the immediate vicinity on the designated routes beyond the dunes . Contact the Bureau of Land Management, Safford District at 520-428-4040.
Ehrenberg Sandbowl OHV area - This small (approximately 2,000 acres) dune area is popular with Ehrenberg locals and OHVers travelling to the big dune areas of California. Contact the Bureau of Land Management, Yuma District at 520-726-6300.
Ehrenberg - Cibola OHV routes. - The BLM received an OHV Grant in 1993 for signing OHV routes on the BLM land south of Ehrenberg, east of the Colorado River, and West of Yuma Military Proving Station. Contact the Bureau of Land Management, Yuma District at 520-726-6300.
Cinder Hills OHV Area - The Cinder Hills comprise an extensive area of deep volcanic cinders in a Ponderosa Pine vegetation type. Several thousand acres are available for all types of OHVs. The area is east of Highway 89 south of Sunset Crater National Monument. Contact the Coconino National Forest at 520-526-0866
Santa Rita OHV Routes - Just west of Highway 83 and north of Sonoita, the east side of the Santa Rita Mountains offers miles and miles of two track roads in high desert and Pinyon Juniper foothills. Contact the Coronado National Forest at 520-281-2296.
Catalina OHV Routes - The Redington Pass area has rugged 4x4 routes in a dense Sonoran vegetation setting. Contact the Coronado National Forest at 520-749-8700.
Hayfield Draw Bryant Park OHV Area - Eight miles west of Camp Verde, south of Highway 260, Hayfield Draw has an 80 acre open area for ATVs and trail bikes with access to 100 miles of designated routes. Contact the Prescott National Forest at 520-567-4121
Rolls OHV Area - This 27,000 acres area is one hour from the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The Rolls is east of the B-Line Highway, north of Lake Saguaro, and south of the Four Peaks Road. Vehicle travel is allowed only on existing routes. Contact the Tonto National Forest at 602-379-6446.
Mogollon Rim Snowmobile Trail System - This area boasts the best snow within a two hour drive of Phoenix. Contact the Apache - Sitgreaves National Forest at 520-289-2471.
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