Arizona attracts a staggering number of tourists every year. During a good year, around 46.8 million people visit Arizona.
Most of these travelers arrive to immerse themselves in the state’s wonderful scenery and diverse geography.
One of the best ways to enjoy this abundance is onboard a UTV. So, read on to discover the best UTV trails Arizona has to offer.
Table of Contents
1. Great Western Trail
The Great Western Trail spans 3,100 miles from Canada to Mexico. About 800 miles of it stretch across Arizona.
The trail’s open to UTVs, horseback riders, hikers, mountain bikers, and 4×4 vehicles.
The Route in Arizona
From the south, the adventure begins in Phoenix. The rugged trails wind through forests, canyons, and deserts to Idaho.
Along the way, you’ll get to see lakes, small towns, the Navajo Reservation, and several National Parks.
Wildlife, Plants, and Birds
In the south, mixed grasses, sagebrush, and chaparral dominate the arid landscapes. In the Central Highlands, you’ll travel through Apache fir, aspen, bristlecone, and pinyon trees. In the cold north, you’ll come across Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine forests.
Along portions of the trail you might see:
- Rocky Mountain elk
- Wild horses
- White-tailed deer
- Mule deer
- Black bears
- Various antelope
Common bird species include blackbirds and road runners.
2. Historic UTV Trails Arizona
Arizona has a rich Old West history filled with gunfights and silver mining. You can step back in time on these two trails:
The Ghost Town Trail
This route goes from Tombstone through the Dragoon Mountains. Along the way, you can stop off at old mining towns like Courtland, Gleeson, and Pearce. The stomping grounds of the Apache chief, Cochise, are also along this trail.
Lake Pleasant to Oatman
In the north, scenery abounds with waterfalls and rugged mountains to admire. From Lake Pleasant, you travel from the desert up to the tourist town of Crown King.
Next, the trail takes you to Prescott, via Bullhead City. Finally, you’ll reach Oatman, an old mining town where burros still roam the streets.
3. The Arizona Strip
This area winds along the north of the Colorado River. It features 5,000 miles of dirt trails originating in Hurricane, Utah.
The routes traverse the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. Others take you to the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.
Camping on the Arizona Strip
Overnight adventurers should head to Toroweap Point on the northwestern rim of the Grand Canyon. Here the campground holds pride of place 3,000-feet above the river and the canyon.
You’ll need to bring everything you need with you. That includes camping gear, food, water, and emergency supplies.
Fauna and Flora
The vegetation in this part of the world is diverse. You’ll come across everything from cacti and creosote to juniper and pinyon forests.
Some of the wild creatures found here include snakes, lizards, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and coyotes.
4. Broken Arrow Trail
This is one of the state’s most scenic UTV trails in Sedona Arizona. The route meanders beneath Sedona’s red monoliths.
It’s a challenging trail, crossing slippery sandstone paths including steep obstacles and staircase-like rock ledges. So brush up on your UTV safety skills before you set out. Most UTV enthusiasts use this route to practice their driving skills.
Wildlife and Birds
The Broken Arrow trail’s popular among birdwatchers too. Some of the more common species found here include:
- Hummingbirds
- Grebes
- Blackbirds
- Kingfishers
- Blue heron
This is an out-and-back trail that shouldn’t take more than half a day to complete.
5. The Mescal Mountains
By contrast, the Mescal Mountains are ideal for beginner UTV riders.
The mountains are just outside the busy copper mining town of Kearny. From there, it winds through the Sonoran Desert.
Spending Time in the Mountains
This is among the most family-friendly UTV trails in Arizona. Here you’ll find enough amenities to enjoy a weekend exploring the mountains.
There are picnic areas, restrooms, and RV campgrounds in this area. If you want to take a cooling dip, the Gila River’s nearby.
Mescal Mountains Nature
This trail navigates ancient limestone formations and volcanic basalt. During the springtime, you’ll see lovely wildflowers along this route. You might be lucky enough to spot javelina, bighorn sheep, antelope, and elk during your stay here.
6. Redington Pass
You’ll find Redington Pass in a beautiful, secluded area near Tucson. It’s one of the best UTV trails in Arizona and also great for motorcycle enthusiasts.
The route has miles of rocky, unpaved trails boasting lovely desert views. As you traverse the western side of the pass, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of Tucson.
Redington Pass Fauna and Flora
Redington Pass is part of Coronado Forest Land and features some lush forests. Most of the vegetation consists of palo verde trees, mesquite, and creosote.
Wildlife thrives in this area. You could see Gila monsters, bobcats, and javelina during your ride.
There’s a waterfall for swimming along the way too.
Trails in this area are moderate but you’ll need high clearance and suitable off-road tires to navigate the trail. There are staging areas for UTV riders.
7. Jackass Flats
Jackass Flats is near Morristown, Arizona. You’ll find plenty of tests to challenge your skills along this route. The scenic desert views and old mines to explore add even more enjoyment to this ride.
Some of the fun stops along the way include:
- Anderson Mill
- Tin Roof Cabin
- Dragon Mine
- China Dam
Roller Coaster Trail
The Roller Coaster Trail lives up to its name, offering medium challenges for experienced riders. Along this route, you’ll find plenty of sandy tracks to test your wits.
Jackass Flats trails comprise about 45 miles of excellent UTV terrain and you can entertain yourself all day in this part of the world.
You can access Jackass Flats UTV trails 15 miles west of the Lake Pleasant turnoff along the far west end of SR 74.
Enjoy More UTV Fun in Arizona
When it comes to UTV trails Arizona has much to tempt the true adventurer. Apart from these top picks, there are at least 90 other trails open to UTV enthusiasts.
Are you ready for the challenge?
Browse our blog for more insights on how you can make the most of your UTV.
