El Camino Del Diablo UTV Adventure Ride

Hosted By UTV Offroad Adventures

Story and photos by Kim Krause (November 2025)

UTV Offroad Adventures took riders deep into Arizona’s wildest and most historic backcountry for a two-day journey through the legendary El Camino Del Diablo - the Devil’s Highway, a route known for both its beauty and its brutal history. This 300-mile round trip from Ajo to Wellton and back delivered everything from adventure and laughter to desert history and unforgettable memories.

Friday Night - Check-In at the Agave Grill

The weekend kicked off in Ajo, Arizona, a small desert town rich in mining history and southwestern charm. Located about 40 miles north of the Mexican border, Ajo is surrounded by vast stretches of open desert, rugged mountain ranges, and endless off-road opportunity. It serves as the gateway to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, and the Barry M. Goldwater Range, home to remote terrain and active military training zones where fighter jets often roar overhead. Riders gathered at the Agave Grill for check-in and dinner, swapping stories and gearing up for the journey ahead. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as everyone prepared to take on one of Arizona’s most iconic and historic routes.

Saturday - The Devil’s Highway Ride Begins

After breakfast and a drivers’ meeting back at the Agave Grill, the convoy rolled out under the early morning sun. The trail led riders through rugged, remote terrain, from sandy washes to lava-rock flats and deep into the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most isolated wilderness areas in the country.

This historic route has been traveled for centuries, first by Native tribes, then Spanish explorers, gold-rush prospectors, and modern-day adventurers. It earned its name, El Camino del Diablo - “The Devil’s Highway” from the unforgiving desert conditions and the many who didn’t survive the crossing centuries ago.

The weather was perfect, cool and crisp in the morning, warm and sunny through the day. The beauty of the desert was on full display: endless stretches of golden sand, volcanic rock formations, bright green ocotillo in bloom, and towering saguaros standing tall against the blue sky.

Riders had so many photo opportunities along the way - from old cabins and weathered grave markers to panoramic mountain passes and the sweeping desert floor. Low-flying military planes from the nearby Barry M. Goldwater Range made for an unforgettable sight, thundering overhead as the group traveled through this vast landscape.

At several points, riders could see the infamous border wall, stretching across the horizon - it could be seen for miles, a stark reminder of how close this trail runs to the U.S.–Mexico border. Its presence added a surreal contrast to the timeless desert scenery, where history, nature, and modern-day politics meet in the middle of nowhere.

Along the way, riders encountered powerful reminders of the past and the land’s rugged legacy:

• Historic gravesites hidden in the desert sand
• Military tank crossings and aviation crash sites, including an F-4 Phantom and F-14 Tomcat
• Bates Well Cabin, an old ranch outpost frozen in time
• Rescue beacons and water stations left for immigrants
• Tule Cabin, tucked beneath the rugged mountains
• And the scenic Christmas Pass, where trails climb through rocky ridges with sweeping desert views

Every mile told a story of endurance, courage, and the raw beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

Saturday Night - Wellton Hospitality and Good Laughs

By late afternoon, the group rolled into Wellton, dusty and smiling after a long day on the trail. Riders checked into their hotels, cleaned up, and regrouped for dinner at High Tanks Brewery, conveniently located just down the street.

The evening was full of great food, cold drinks, and plenty of laughter. The highlight of the night, the awards ceremony, brought out everyone’s adventurous spirit and humor:

• Oldest Rider: 83 years young and still tearing up the desert
• Farthest Traveled: All the way from Wisconsin
• Poker Run Winner: Sandy, who walked away with bragging rights, and in the true spirit of giving, donated her winnings to the Salvation Army Christmas Tree Angels, UTV Offroad Adventures’ year-long charity. Next month, the team will use the funds to buy toys for children in need, spreading Christmas cheer where it’s needed most.
• “Dumb Ass Award” - Tipsy: Earned by a rider who tipped her SXS during the day’s ride (and may have had a few other memorable moments too) Between the storytelling, laughter, and a few well-deserved brews, it was the perfect end to an epic day.

Sunday - The Return to Ajo

Sunday morning the group fired up their machines once more for the return trip to Ajo. The desert looked even more spectacular in the early light, peaceful, vast, and humbling. After 300 miles of challenging terrain, historic landmarks, and pure off-road camaraderie, the convoy rolled back into Ajo, dusty, tired, and grinning from ear to ear.

The Legacy of the Devil’s Highway

The El Camino Del Diablo UTV Adventure Ride wasn’t just about horsepower or miles - it was about connecting to Arizona’s deep history, respecting the desert’s raw beauty, and celebrating the off-road community that makes these adventures possible.

From the first tire track in Ajo to the last handshake back in Ajo, this weekend embodied what UTV Offroad Adventures is all about: exploration, friendship, history, and the thrill of the ride.

Until next time, keep your tires spinning and your spirits high. The desert’s calling again soon.

For upcoming rides, registration, and more adventures, visit:

www.utvoffroadadventures.com