| Alt Names |
Bulldog Canyon, Dome Mountain, Orophi Mountains, Pass Mountain, Goldfield Mountains, Salt River, Tonto National Forest |
| DESCRIPTION |
Primarily a 4x4 playground, this area has numerous rocky desert trails with some great scenery. A gate combination code and a permit is required to access the area, which can be obtained from the Tonto National Forest. The permit is free but you will need to provide a driver's license or some other valid form of identification. Still, the process is quite simple and only takes a few minutes. The south staging area has a really fun play pit with numerous trails and it comprises the most interesting terrain for ATVs and motorcycles. The rules state clearly that you need to stay on marked trails only, and that only some trails are open for vehicles, but he markings for motorized use can only be seen on the map with you receive with your pass so be sure to bring it on the trail with you. Most of the motorized routes are simply 4x4 roads but the scenery is great here. ATV riders will certainly have more fun than motorcyclists, primarily because one route is extremly chunky, and the other is relatively smooth and uninteresting. Primitive camping is permitted but there are no services.
|
| LOCATION |
| Nearest City |
Phoenix, AZ |
| GPS Coordinates |
N 33º 27.956' W 111º 31.903' |
|
From: Phoenix, AZ
1) Take Hwy 60 east to exit 196 (Idaho Rd.)
2) Turn north off the exit ramp, continue 4.4 miles
3) Turn right (east) onto McKellips Rd., continue .4 miles
4) Turn left (north) onto Wolverine Pass Rd., continue .8 miles
5) Veer right onto Tonto St., continue .2 miles
6) Turn left (north) onto Cactus Rd., continue .2 miles to staging area. |
| AREA TYPE |
| Area Type |
Trail |
| Land Type |
National Forest |
| QUALITY |
| Pros |
free, spectacular desert scenery |
| Cons |
need to get permit & gate combo from forest service, no actual trails only roads, can ride roads only, trails are extremely rocky, trails are difficult to determine, no services |
| Rating |
 Fair
|
| Recommended Stay |
Half Day
Spring |
| TERRAIN |
| Square Miles |
40 |
| Miles Of Trail |
20 |
| Climate Type |
Desert |
| Elevation |
1500 to 2500 ft. |
| Trail Maintenance |
Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained |
| Loose Dirt |
 Some |
| Hard Pack |
Some |
| Sand |
 Little |
| Mud |
Little |
| Dust |
Little |
| Rocks |
 Mostly |
| Trees |
 None |
| Steep Hills |
 Few |
| Water Crossings |
 Many |
| Small Jumps |
Few |
| Large Jumps |
None |
| Berms |
Few |
| Sand/Gravel Pits |
None |
| Single Track |
None |
| Roads |
 All |
| Intersections |
Few |
| Rider Traffic |
Few |
| Shade |
None |
| Ranges/Gunfire |
Few |
| Hazards |
Few |
| Novice Terrain |
Little |
| Amateur Terrain |
Mostly |
| Expert Terrain |
Some |
| Comment |
Trail 10 is extremely rocky, 1356 is somewhat rocky but more smoother & better for motorcycles |
| REGULATIONS |
| Permit Required |
Yes |
| Dates Open |
Year-Round |
| Spark Arrestor |
Yes |
| Noise Limit |
Yes |
| Night Riding |
Yes |
| Flags |
Not Required |
| Two Strokes |
No Restriction |
| Cross Country |
Prohibited |
| ATVs |
No Restriction |
| UTVs |
No Restriction |
| 4x4s (registered) |
No Restriction |
| Unregistered Cars/4x4s/Buggies |
No Restriction |
| Bicycles |
No Restriction |
| Hiking |
No Restriction |
| Horseback |
No Restriction |
| Camping |
No Restriction |
| Campfires |
No Restriction |
| Alcohol |
No Restriction |
| Fireworks |
Prohibited |
| Firearms |
Some Areas |
| Law Enforcement |
Few/Periodic |
| FEES |
| Parking Fee |
No ($0.00)
|
| Entry Fee |
No ($0.00)
|
| Riding Fee |
No ($0.00)
|
| Camping Fee |
No ($0.00)
|
| KEY SERVICES |
| First Aid |
5-20 Miles (SW) |
| Gasoline |
5-20 Miles (SW) |
| Diesel |
5-20 Miles (SW) |
| Water |
5-20 Miles (SW) |
| RV Hookup |
5-20 Miles (SE) |
| RV Disposal |
5-20 Miles (SE) |
| Campground |
5-20 Miles (SE) |
| Conv Store |
5-20 Miles (SW) |
| Swim Area |
5-20 Miles (NW) |
| Water Body |
5-20 Miles (N) |
| Boat Ramp |
5-20 Miles (NE) |
| CONTACTS |
| Contact Info |
Tonto National Forest - Mesa Ranger District
5140 E. Ingram St.
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 610-3300
www.fs.fed.us
|
|
| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| This is the smoother of the two main motorized routes. The scenery was great but the trail is really just a road. |
| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| This single track looked great, but according to the map it's off limits. |
| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| A view from the access road. |
| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| The access gate is locked and a combination and pass are required to enter. There is a small parking area outside the gate. |
| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| The play area was the best part for motorcycles. |
| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| It was rare to get more than a 20 yard section of smooth trail on this route... very rocky. |
| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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| Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail Photo |
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Scroll down for trail contact information and regulations. Select a photo to enlarge.
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