Outdoor Adventures: Off-Roading & Adventures

Off-Roading

Bloody Basin Road

Located near Black Canyon City, Bloody Basin Road is an easy rated trail which spends much of the trip going through the Agua Fria National Monument. Take time for side trips to see archaeological sites and petroglyphs. The highest point of the trip 5,000 feet, where expansive views are available on clear days. Just north of the bridge on the west side, natural hot springs lay hidden in the thick brush. This 38 mile long trail is suitable for just about any type of off-road vehicle and promises a great day.

34.15553° N, 111.82181° W

Blue Monster

The moderate trail gets its name from a spring that tracks along the route. While the trail isn’t really a monster, it happens to go past Blue Monster Spring. This twisty and fun road passes between many mines hidden on the hillside and offers some narrow, steep, and rocky spots on the route. Taking your 4x4, dirt bike, side-by-side, or truck out onto this run just might be the perfect way to spend your day.

34.591651° N, 111.998572° W

Broken Arrow

Rated difficult, this short 3.8 mile trail may be the most memorable in Arizona! This trail is extremely fun to drive and the red rock scenery is knockout beautiful. There is a lot of traffic on this route as it is shared with tour jeeps, hikers, and mountain bikers. The toughest spot on the trail by far is called “The Steps.” Drivers will need high clearance vehicles. The most aggressive SUV’s can do this area but most stock vehicles will bottom out. This trail is recommenced only for SUV or trucks and hard-core modified vehicles.

34.845548° N, 111.756742° W

Cinder Hills Run

Cinder Hills is is an off-road destination approximately 13,500 acres in size and its numerous volcanic cinder cones and craters surrounded by ponderosa pine forest gives the area an otherworldly quality. This run can vary in levels of difficulty depending on your path but does offer mostly easy hills compatible to most types of off-road vehicles. Looking for a bit more of a challenge? Take the steep climb to Double Crater where the loose graveling ash is soft like sand.

35.32856° N, 111.523117° W

Photo Credit: Summit 4x4 Company

Desoto Mine

This difficult rated trail is a challenging but scenic trek with an end destination of Desoto Mine. Stock SUVs can make it to the Desoto Mine, but should stop at Waypoint 02. At that point, you’ll want to leave it to the expert off-roader. The road is hard-core rocky in places but what really grabs your attention is the steep, tippy sections. Definitely for the experienced offroader, plan to go with other experienced drivers on this destination trail. Desoto Mine is definitely not for the faint of heart!

34.276984° N, 112.253160° W

Mingus Mountain

This fun moderately rated trip is a mountain loop that starts in Cottonwood and goes to Jerome. After passing through unimpressive lowlands, the road climbs quickly up the side of Mingus Mountain and into the forest. This trip offers views of Verde Valley and Cottonwood as you climb, and passes by the Copper Chief mine along the way. Climb on into your modified 4x4, SUV, or ATV, this trail is perfect for just about any offroad vehicle.

34.70727° N, 112.1495° W

Senator Highway, Crown King

This is a long, twisty drive with much to see. Allow plenty of time so you can move at. A relaxing pace. The town of Crown King is the highlight of the trip, but you’ll also drive past interesting Creator and Bumble Bee. Rated at an easy level the 58.6 mile route is great for SUV or pick up trucks, hard-core modified vehicles, 60”-wide Side-by-Sides, 50”-wide ATVs and Side-by-Sides, and dirt bikes. The best time to do this tour is June through September but it is open year round.

34.45859° N, 112.44321° W

Turkey Creek

A difficult rated trail makes the scenic views that much more rewarding. Turkey Creek is a remote and lightly traveled trek as it winds back and forth across Turkey Creek. Much of the trail traverses the narrow Dead Cow Gulch, passed Howard Copper Mine, and then climbs into the foothills ending in a scenic descent into Castle Creek Road. This 10 mile trek is cleared for various types of offroad rated vehicles.

34.278091° N, 112.234588° W

Photo Credit: Charles Ables

Photo Credit: Charles Ables

Adventures

Pink Jeep Tours

Since 1960, Pink® Adventure Tours has been thrilling visitors as the Premier Adventure Tour Company in the Southwest. Founded in Sedona, Arizona, the first Jeep® tour operator in the United States become known for its ‘must do’ adventure tours through Sedona’s Red Rock country, Grand Canyon National Park, and Las Vegas. Herschend Enterprises acquired Pink® Adventure Tours in 2018, and Pink® expanded east to the Smoky Mountains in 2019.

Pink® Adventure Tours take guests to some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of Earth’s natural wonders; all while expertly trained and entertaining local guides share secrets of our destinations’ history, nature and geology. Pink® Adventure Tours welcomes more than 300,000 guests per year; guests are treated to superior customer service, environmental responsibility and a top-tier commitment to guide education and a passenger safety. Guests take home memories to last a lifetime.

204 N. State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336

Photo Credit: Pink Jeep Tours

Sunset Crater National Monument

Sunset Crater is a cinder cone located north of Flagstaff, Arizona. The cinder cone volcanic rim is the dusky red of sunset, but the crater is only part of the story. Around 1085 the ground began to shake, and lava spewed high into the air. When the eruption finished, it had changed both the landscape and the people who lived here. Today, it teaches how nature and humankind affect each other - and how rebirth and reveal happen in the wake of disaster.

A visit to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument provides an unparalleled opportunity to study the dynamics of eruption, change, and recovery in an arid climate. The dramatic landscape is home to species adapted to life on and around the young volcanic terrain. It is also an integral part of legends, history, and culture of northern Arizona.

The national monument has a visitor center with brand new exhibits opening in March 2020. From short, accessible walks to longer hikes, five trails offer a chance to experience unique volcanic features. Wupatki National Monument shares the scenic loop road with Sunset Crater and tells the cultural story of the area.

6082 Forest Service 545 Road Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Flagstaff Extreme

Flagstaff Extreme (FLG X) provides a safe, fun, physical and unique outdoor experience in the trees. The high ropes adventure course and adventure zipline course challenges guests to push their limits and overcome their fears in a supportive environment. They even have a kids adventure course with 10 obstacles and 2 ziplines for little adventurers to play in the trees as well. Through shared experience FLG X creates an opportunity to build relationships with friends and family and to leave feeling a sense of accomplishment. The Adventure Course has over 70 elements to test your limits and the Adventure Zip Lines feature over 30 zip lines! Go play in the trees!

Fort Tuthill County Park Flagstaff, AZ 86005

Photo Credit: Flagstaff Extreme