Home > Arizona > Sheridan Mountain

Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Trail Map

Other Names

Camp Wood, Cottonwood Mountain, Stinson Mountain, Connell Mountains, BT Butte, Sheriden Mountain, Cedar Mesa, Sycamore Rim, Sycamore Mesa, Jones Mountain, Prescott National Forest, Chino Valley Ranger District

Last Known Status

Open

This forested area offers some long and challenging ATV double-track loops with great panoramic views. Most of the trails are very manageable, but a few of them are relentlessly chunky so be prepared for a little bit of a bashing.

In addition to the trails, it is also possible to do long cruising loops on the smooth forest service roads which take you past some interesting old corrals and through a couple of shallow stream crossings.

With about 40 miles of trails, this is a great area for a full day ride, or two days of exploration, but the trails are generally more suited to ATVs than motorcycles.

Overall if you enjoy mountain views and you don't mind going slower on the rockier parts, you'll really enjoy this ride. Parking is permitted at Camp Wood staging area but there are no services.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	AZGFD sticker required
Dates Open	Year-Round
Other ATV Stickers Accepted	No	All non-residents must purchase an Arizona OHV decal.
Spark Arrestor	Yes	A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise Limit	Yes (96 dB)
Whip Flags	Not Required
Maximum Vehicle Width	Yes (50 inches)	has entrance gate and narrow terrain
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes	Permitted
ATVs	Permitted	(maximum width 50 inches)
UTV & SXS	Permitted	(maximum width 50 inches)
SUVs & Jeeps (registered)	Prohibited
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered)	Prohibited
2 Stroke Engines	No Restriction
MX Helmet Required	Youth Only	required for persons under 18 by state law (RiderPlanet strongly recommends helmets for all riders.)
Camping	Some Areas	permitted at Camp Wood
Campfires	Some Areas
Night Riding	Unknown	Not Recommended
Trail Blazing	Prohibited	no trailblazing
Rule Enforcement	Few/Periodic

TERRAIN

Approx Size	83,200 acres (130 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail	40
Climate Type	Forest
Elevation	3500 to 6500 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose Dirt	Little
Hard Pack	Mostly
Sand	None
Mud	None
Dust	Little
Rocks	All
Trees	Many
Steep Hills	Some
Water Crossings	Few
Small Jumps	Few
Large Jumps	None
Berms	Few
Sand/Gravel Pits	None
Single Track	None	Mostly ATV double track trails
Roads	Few
Intersections	Few
Rider Traffic	Few
Shade	Many
Ranges/Gunfire	None
Hazards	Few	(hazards not marked) sharp rocks, some steep banks
Novice	Little	only novice terrain is the foresert service roads, no play areas
Amateur	Mostly
Expert	Some
Comment	rocks, rocks and more rocks

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails

Land	National Forest

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	30+ Miles (SE)	Circle K (928) 776-1271
Diesel	30+ Miles (SE)	Prescott
Water	30+ Miles (SE)	Prescott
RV Hookup	30+ Miles (SE)	Wilow Lake RV Park & Campground (928) 445-6311
RV Disposal	30+ Miles (SE)	Wilow Lake RV Park & Campground (928) 445-6311
Campground	30+ Miles (SE)	Wilow Lake RV Park & Campground (928) 445-6311
Conv Store	30+ Miles (SE)	Prescott

FEES & PASSES

Parking	Yes ($5.00) day use area fee
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	(None)

RATINGS

Pros	free camping, long trail loops, great scenery
Cons	lots of sharp rocks, no services, trail loops are long, very long access road - 15 mile dirt access road - is graded but long and slow, no single track motorcycle trails
Our Rating	Good
Recommended Stay	1-2 Days Spring/Fall
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Prescott, AZ

Trail Map

From: Prescott, AZ
1) Take CR-5 (Williamson Valley Road) north 22.1 miles
2) Turn left (west) on NF-21, continue 15.5 miles
3) Turn right (north) on NF-95, continue about 100 feet. Campsite/staging is on the right
4) Or continue .25 miles further along NF-95 to the larger staging area (recommended for RVs).

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact Info

Prescott National Forest - Chino Valley Ranger District
735 N. Hwy 89
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
(928) 777-2200
mailroom_r3_prescott@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov