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Log Corral Canyon

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Other Names

Log Corral Wash, Sycamore Creek, Brush Corral Canyon, Indian Springs Canyon, Red Mountain, Brush Corral Spring, Tonto National Forest, Granite Mountain, West Granite Mountain, Cottonwood Basin, Beeline Highway, Crosscut/mud Springs

Last Known StatusOpen

Primarily a jeep trail, this area offers superb views of Four Peaks, Bartlett Lake and the surrounding desert hills. The main trail to the south is very tough, with deep washouts, sand gullies and huge rocks.

You really need a modified jeep, custom 4x4, a motorcycle, or maybe an ATV with a lift to enjoy this trail. (These rocks are big, and a normal vehicle simply won't make it.) If you continue past the first mile, plan on doing at least some damage to your vehicle, but you can make it all the way to Bartlett Lake.

There are no services and it is slow going, so food, water, a repair kit, and a winch are strongly recommended. For an easier time, you can follow the sand wash north from the staging area for a short but fun ATV trail with great turns. Nearby Four Peaks has tons of easier riding as well, and it's just down the road.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesAZGFD sticker required
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 RidingUnknownNot Recommended
Trail BlazingProhibitedkeep vehicle on trail
Rule EnforcementFew/Periodic
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TERRAIN

Approx Size25,600 acres (40 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail20
Climate TypeDesert
Elevation2300 to 4000 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has little loose dirt.Little
Hard PackThe trail has some hard pack terrain.Some
SandThis trail has mostly sandy areas.Mostly
MudThe trail has no mud after it rains.None
DustThe trail has some dust on typical days.Some
RocksThis trail has mostly rocks.Mostly
TreesThe trail has some trees.Some
Steep HillsThis trail has no steep hills.None
Water CrossingsThe trail has few water crossings.Few
Small JumpsThis trail has no small jumps.None
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.NoneATV double track
RoadsThis national forest has mostly roads.Mostly
IntersectionsThis trail has few intersections.Few
Rider TrafficThe national forest has few rider traffic on typical days.Few
ShadeThis national forest has some shaded areas.Somenear staging area
Ranges/GunfireThis national forest has few shooting ranges or gunfire.Few
HazardsThis trail has some hazards.Some(hazards not marked)
large sharp rocks, cactuses
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has some beginner terrain.Some
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has little intermediate level terrain.Little
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has mostly expert terrain.Mostly

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline20-30 Miles (SW)Baja Gas Station (480) 837-3506
Diesel Diesel20-30 Miles (SW)Baja Gas Station (480) 837-3506
Potable Water Water30+ Miles (SW)Eagle View RV Resort (480) 789-5310 or (800) 843-3678
RV Hookups RV Hookup30+ Miles (SW)Eagle View RV Resort (480) 789-5310 or (800) 843-3678
RV Dump Station RV Disposal30+ Miles (SW)Eagle View RV Resort (480) 789-5310 or (800) 843-3678
Primitive Camping Campground5-20 Miles (W)Bartlett Reservoir
Convenience Store Conv Store20-30 Miles (SW)Baja Gas Station (480) 837-3506

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
Entry(None)
Riding(None)
Camping(None)

RATINGS

Prosfree, beautiful desert scenery, cool and windy ATV sand wash trail to the north east of the main trail (extra trail), not crowded
Consmain trail is extremely rocky and difficult, no services, second trail is not long enough
Our RatingRatingFair
Recommended StayHalf Day
Fall-Winter
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityPhoenix, AZ
AddressLog Coral Wash, Rio Verde, AZ 85263
Go Back To Arizona List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Phoenix, AZ
1) Take Hwy 87 North (Beeline Highway) about 35 miles to mile marker #212
2) Continue about .5 miles past mile marker #212, look for turnout on the left
3) Proceed across the cattleguard, and follow the road about 100 yards until it hooks right
4) Stage in the sand wash on the right before the road crosses the river bed.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoTonto National Forest - Supervisor's Office
2324 E. Mcdowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 225-5200
mailroom_r3_tonto@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Log Corral Canyon Trail

This area has great scenery but there are lots of rocks, and the rocks just get bigger as you progress until you are tackling large boulders.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

The sand washes, however, were a lot of fun.  Lots of sandy turns though a nice variety of desert vegetation.  This trail was two-way and a dead-end, so beware of other riders.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

This photo was taken toward the end of the easier northern trail.  Unfortunately the trail just came to an abrupt end but it was still a lot of fun and worth doing.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

This is the end of the northern trail.  You have to turn around and go back from here, but again, it was still a lot of fun.  The sand berms were great.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Heading back after turning around on the northern trail.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Log Corral Canyon Trail

This cattle guard marks the entrance to the northern trail.  The northern trail is just a short dead-end sand trail, but it has fun berms.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Log Corral Canyon Trail

A nice primitive campsite or picnic area somewhere along the trail.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Starting to get a little rocky here...  and it got much worse.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Just getting started, this was near the parking area.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

It is amazing that Arizona trails have a such a variety of terrain and scenery.  It's hard to believe this is the same trail.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

This is on the main trail, heading up the canyon.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

The main trail mostly follows the wash, dropping in and out with lots of turns.

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Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Slower going... and the rocks just kept getting bigger and bigger.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Honda FourTrax 250 ATV

These Honda 250 ATVs didn't have a whole lot of clearance, but that didn't stop us from having a blast anyway.  We just couldn't go all the way up the main.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV crossing the water at Log Corral Canyon Trail

This is near where the trail goes up another notch in difficulty.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Log Corral Canyon Trail

This is what I meant by big rocks.  This is a difficult part of the trail and it's slow going for any vehicle.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

And finally we reached the point of no return with these ATVs.  We are not ashamed to say we turned around here.  A high clearance custom 4x4 or maybe a dirt bike is better if you want to go beyond this point.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Just a different section of the main trail, before the rocks got too big.

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Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV in the water at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Another view of the main trail that follows the wash.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Heading back down one of the many rocky stair climbs on the main trail.  These were the most fun and managable climbs.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

This part of the canyon had great views with high canyon walls.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

The northern trail has good scenery too, and no rocks!

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Enjoying the great outdoors.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Honda TRX250 going through rocky trail.

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Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Scenic photo of Honda TRX250 in the Sonoran Desert.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Honda TRX250 navigating trail with loose river rocks.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Honda TRX250 going through a brush tunnel.

Going through one of the brush tunnels. Sometimes you have to duck down a little.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Young woman on Honda TRX250 ATV going through some leaves on the trail.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Honda TRX250 parked near tall saguaro cactus.

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Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Another sand wash...

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

A trail at Log Corral Canyon Trail

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Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV crossing the water at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Terrain example at Log Corral Canyon Trail

This is one of those spots where you are going to do some damage or at least lose some paint.

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

Some terrain at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

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Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

Log Corral Canyon Trail Photo

OHV at Log Corral Canyon Trail

You can see a little of the lazy turns that made the northern trail fun.

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