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Bulldog Canyon OHV Area

Monday, February 12, 2024

Other Names

Dome Mountain, Orophi Mountains, Pass Mountain, Goldfield Mountains, Salt River, Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District

Last Known StatusOpen

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 online. There is a small fee charged for the permit but 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 the markings for motorized use can only be seen on the map that 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 probably have more fun than motorcyclists, primarily because one route is extremely chunky, and the other is relatively smooth and unchallenging. Primitive camping is permitted but there are no services.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesAZGFD sticker required
Tonto FS Permit
Dates OpenYear-Round
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedNoAll non-residents must purchase an Arizona OHV decal.
Spark ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (96 dB)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthNo Restriction
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermitted
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermitted
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSPermitted
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Permitted
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
Permitted
2 Stroke EnginesNo Restriction
MX Helmet RequiredYouth Onlyrequired for persons under 18 by state law
(RiderPlanet strongly recommends helmets for all riders.)
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingNo Restriction(camp anywhere)
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresNo Restriction
Night RidingYes
Trail BlazingProhibitedriders must stay on trail
Rule EnforcementFew/Periodic
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TERRAIN

Approx Size34,000 acres (53 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail20
Climate TypeDesert
Elevation1500 to 2500 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has some loose dirt.Some
Hard PackThe trail has some hard pack terrain.Some
SandThis trail has little sandy areas.Little
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has little dust on typical days.Little
RocksThis trail has mostly rocks.Mostly
TreesThe trail has no trees.None
Steep HillsThis trail has few steep hills.Few
Water CrossingsThe trail has many water crossings.Manyseasonal
Small JumpsThis trail has few small jumps.Few
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has few berms.Few
Sand/Gravel PitsThis national forest has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis national forest has no single track trails.None
RoadsThis national forest has almost all roads.All
IntersectionsThis trail has few intersections.Few
Rider TrafficThe national forest has few rider traffic on typical days.Few
ShadeThis national forest has no shaded areas.None
Ranges/GunfireThis national forest has few shooting ranges or gunfire.Few
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
loose boulders
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has little beginner terrain.Little
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has some expert terrain.Some
CommentTrail 10 is extremely rocky, 1356 is somewhat rocky but more smoother for motorcycles.

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline5-20 Miles (SW)Chevron/Mesa (480) 357-3822
Diesel Diesel5-20 Miles (SW)Chevron/Mesa (480) 357-3822
Potable Water Water5-20 Miles (SW)Chevron/Mesa (480) 357-3822
RV Hookups RV Hookup5-20 Miles (SE)Lost Dutchman State Park (480) 982-4485
RV Dump Station RV Disposal5-20 Miles (SE)Lost Dutchman State Park (480) 982-4485
Primitive Camping Campground5-20 Miles (SE)Lost Dutchman State Park (480) 982-4485
Convenience Store Conv Store5-20 Miles (SW)Chevron/Mesa (480) 357-3822

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
Entry(None)
RidingYes ($6.00 per rider)
cost of six month permit
Camping(None)

RATINGS

Prosfree, spectacular desert scenery
Consneed 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
Our RatingRatingFair
Recommended StayHalf Day
Spring
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityMesa, AZ
AddressCactus Road, Mesa, AZ 85215
Go Back To Arizona List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Phoenix, AZ
1) Take Hwy 60 East to Exit 196
2) Turn left (north) off the exit ramp onto Idaho Road, continue 5.3 miles
3) Turn right (east) onto McKellips Blvd, continue .5 miles
4) Turn left (north) on Wolverine Pass Road, continue .9 miles
5) Veer right on Tonto Street, continue .2 miles
6) Turn left (north) onto Cactus Road, continue .2 miles to staging area.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoTonto National Forest - Mesa Ranger District
5140 E. Ingram Street
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 610-3300
sm.fs.tontowebmail@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov
Contact InfoArizona State Parks OHV Program
(602) 542-6942
(602) 542-2146
mrogers@azstateparks.gov
meberhart@azstateparks.gov
azstateparks.com
CommentArizona State Parks OHV Grants Program

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

This is the smoother of the two main motorized routes.  The scenery was great but the trail is really just a road.

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

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 Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorbike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorbike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Scenery at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

A trail at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

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Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike wheelying at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

A trail at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

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Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorbike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Scenery from Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

A view from the access road.

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirtbike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

The play area was the best part for motorcycles.

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Off-Road Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

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Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Example of terrain at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

This single track looked great, but according to the map it's off limits.

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirtbike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

It was rare to get more than a 20 yard section of smooth trail on this route... very rocky.

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

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Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorbike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Off-Road Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

Bulldog Canyon Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Bulldog Canyon OHV Area Trail

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