Arizona is a state famous for its hot desert climate, forests, canyons, and mountain ranges, the dream of any avid ATV rider. The good thing about Arizona is that more than half of the state's land is open to the public. So, if you are an ATV rider in Arizona, you have unlimited opportunities.
Places you can ride an ATV in Arizona include:
- Broken Arrow Trail
- Hayfield Draw OHV Parking
- Arizona Cycle Park
- Ghost Town Loop
- North of Mesa OHV Area
- Bulldog Canyon
- Harquahala Mountain Summit Road
- Agua Caliente
- Mescal Mountain OHV Area
- Alto Pit OHV Area
- Arizona Peace Trail
With the trails winding through red rock canyons, towering forests, and rolling desert, you will have a great time riding an ATV in Arizona. However, rather than riding your ATV through uninhabited trails, there are parks available where it is legal and fun to ride an ATV.
Where Can You Ride ATVs In Arizona?
There are different exciting parks and trails where you can ride your ATV in Arizona. You don't have to go solo riding; you can always invite your friends to join you on these rides. Some of the places you can ride an ATV in Arizona are:
Alto Pit OHV Area
Alto Pit OHV Area is a 400-acre park in Arizona where you can ride an ATV. It is located at 86301, 2971 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301. This park offers 20 miles of trees, mud, sand, loose dirt, berms, dust, rocks, water crossings, small jumps, gravel pits, and shades. When riding an ATV in this area, the vehicle's noise limit must be below 96 decibels. Riding an ATV in this park is free. However, you will have to pay $5 to park your ATV.
Alto Pit OHV Area also offers some great facilities like restrooms, pavilion, picnic tables, and group areas. UTVs, side-by-sides, and dirt bikes are also permitted at the Alto Pit OHV Area but, SUVs and Jeeps are prohibited. Wearing a helmet when riding is not compulsory unless you are under 18 years. Riding hours are from dusk to dawn; night riding is not permitted.
Mescal Mountain OHV Area
Mescal Mountain OHV Area is located at Hammond Drive, Kearny, AZ 85137. This campground offers 25 miles of ATV trails filled with hard packs, mud, rocks, trees, steep hills, a few shades, and some water crossings. These trails range from easy to difficult, which makes riding with friends more exciting and fun.
The terrain in this area is mostly filled with wide and rocky trails with riverbed washes and some sharp inclines. This campground is open twenty-four hours every day. There is a noise limit of 96 decibels for vehicles. Individuals under age 18 are required to wear a helmet while riding an ATV.
Other vehicles like side-by-sides, UTVs, Jeeps, and SUVs are permitted at Mescal Mountain OHV Area. Riding and parking at this campground are free. Some of the facilities available at Mescal Mountain OHV Area are campsites, fire rings, restrooms, loading ramps, and picnic tables.
Arizona Cycle Park
Arizona Cycle Park is the largest off-road park in Arizona, offering four different tracks for dirt bike and ATV riding. If you have a friend who has a dirt bike and you have an ATV, this park is the best place for both of you to ride together. It is located at 25848 S 279th Avenue, Buckeye, AZ 85326, and is open only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 7 am to 12 pm.
The riding fee at Arizona Cycle Park is $30 per rider. This park offers 40 acres of riding trails with loose dirt, sand, hardpack, dust, mud, berms, and a few shades. Side-by-sides and UTVs are allowed at this park, while SUVs and Jeeps are prohibited. Wearing a helmet is mandatory during rides. Night riding is also permitted.
Hayfield Draw OHV Parking
Hayfield Draw OHV Parking is a park in Arizona located at Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway, Camp Verde, AZ 86322. This 80-acre park has a 56-mile trail filled with hard packs, dust, trees, sand, mud, steep hills, berms, and shades. Riding in this area is free; however, you will have to pay $5 to park your vehicle.
This park offers nice facilities like staging areas, barbecue grills, gazebos, restrooms, and sand washes. Individuals under 18 are expected to wear a helmet while riding. While riding at Hayfield Draw OHV Parking, your ATV's noise must be below 96 decibels. Motorcycles, dirt bikes, side-by-sides, and UTVs are allowed at this park, but Jeeps and SUVs are prohibited. Night riding is also prohibited.
Arizona Peace Trail
The Arizona Peace Trail is said to be the largest OHV loop trail in the United States. This trail offers ATV riders an ultimate off-road adventure with the different tracks, trails, and dirt roads. It is located at Quartzsite, AZ 85346. The Arizona Peace Trail is nearly 700 miles and goes all the way from Yuma to Kingman.
The Arizona Peace Trail provides an excellent riding place for ATVs; it is filled with rocks, steep hills, sand, trees, gravel, and water crossings. Other vehicles like UTVs, SUVs, side-by-sides, and Jeeps are allowed on this terrain. There is no fee for riding or parking. Every rider is required to wear a helmet while riding.
Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente is one of the most popular ATV trails in Arizona. Due to the heat and dryness in this area, most people ride their ATVs during the spring and winter periods. There are lots of old sites and buildings you will see when riding through this trail. It is located at Agua Caliente Road, Arlington, AZ 85322, and is open 24 hours all year round.
Parking and riding on this trail are free. Agua Caliente offers 25 miles of trails that are filled with hard packs, rocks, loose dirt, steep hills, water crossings, shades, dust, and small jumps. Night riding is allowed, and riders below 18 are required to put on a helmet. While riding, your ATV noise must be below 96 decibels. SUVs, dirt bikes, UTVs, Jeeps, motorcycles, and side-by-sides are permitted on this trail.
Broken Arrow Trail
Broken Arrow Trail is one of the popular trails known for its amazing views of tall hoodoos, canyons, and reddish-colored cliffs. This trail is open 24 hours all year round. It is located at Morgan Road, Sedona, AZ 86336. Riding and parking on this trail require no payment.
Broken Arrow Trail offers 4 miles of trail with hard-packed slick rocks, loose chunk rock, steep hills, sand, and some trees. There is a noise limit of 96 decibels for off-road vehicles on this trail. All ATVs and other vehicles going through this trail must have a spark arrestor.
Other vehicles like side-by-sides, Jeeps, SUVs, dirt bikes, UTVs, and motorcycles are allowed to ride on Broken Arrow Trail. Individuals under 18 are required to wear a helmet while riding through this trail.
Bulldog Canyon
Bulldog Canyon is located at Cactus Road, Mesa, AZ 85215, and is open all year round. Parking an ATV at this area is free; however, you will be required to pay $6 to ride your vehicle. The Bulldog Canyon offers a 20-mile trail that has lots of rocky deserts and great scenery. However, you must have a permit before you can ride your ATV in this area.
Your ATV must also have a spark arrestor and must not exceed the 96-decibel noise limit. Any individual under 18 is required to wear a helmet while riding. Night riding is also allowed in this area. UTVs, dirt bikes, Jeeps, side-by-sides, SUVs, and motorcycles are allowed at Bulldog Canyon.
Final Thoughts
Arizona is a great place to ride an ATV as you get to enjoy your ride while enjoying some breathtaking views. You can choose between any of these locations and have a great time riding ATVs with family and friends. Some of these parks have training facilities, so you can also learn how to ride an ATV. Have a great time riding in Arizona.
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.