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Mt. Lemmon Control Road

Monday, March 18, 2024

Other Names

Backway To Mount Lemmon, Backway To Mt. Lemmon, Mt. Lemmon Control Rd, Peppersauce Creek, Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District

Last Known StatusOpen

Open to street legal vehicles only, this 25 mile long maintained dirt road begins at Peppersauce Campground and leads to the top of Mt. Lemmon. The road is mostly smooth and hard packed dirt with some small but occasional loose chunk rock.

The Mt. Lemmon summit offers various restaurants and cafes, making this a nice and easy dual sport ride, or if you have a street legal ATV, as many do in Arizona.

Peppersauce Campground at the base offers cool and shady developed campsites but is too cramped for large trailers and RVs. There are no pull-throughs and the sites are about 22 feet deep.

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REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesAZGFD sticker required
Dates OpenMarch - December 14
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 BikesPermittedstreet legal only
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermittedstreet legal only
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSPermittedstreet legal only
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Permittedstreet legal only
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
Permittedstreet legal only
2 Stroke EnginesNo Restrictionstreet legal only
MX Helmet RequiredYouth Onlyrequired for persons under 18 by state law
(RiderPlanet strongly recommends helmets for all riders.)
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingSome Areas(camp in developed sites only)
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night RidingYesNot Recommended
Trail BlazingProhibitedriders must stay on trail
Rule EnforcementFew/Periodic
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TERRAIN

Miles Of Trail25
Climate TypeDesert
Elevation4600 to 8000 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has no loose dirt.None
Hard PackThe trail has almost all hard pack terrain.All
SandThis trail has no sandy areas.None
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has no dust on typical days.None
RocksThis trail has little rocks.Little
TreesThe trail has few trees.Few
Steep HillsThis trail has few steep hills.Few
Water CrossingsThe trail has some water crossings.Some
Small JumpsThis trail has no small jumps.None
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has no berms.None
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 some shaded areas.Some
Ranges/GunfireThis national forest has few shooting ranges or gunfire.Few
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
steep banks, no guardrails
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has almost all beginner terrain.All
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has no intermediate level terrain.None
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has no expert terrain.None
CommentJust a smooth, maintained dirt road - not many pot holes.

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline5-20 Miles (N)Oracle
Diesel Diesel5-20 Miles (N)Oracle
Potable Water WaterOn Site Peppersauce Campground
RV Hookups RV Hookup30+ Miles (SW)Catalina State Park (520) 628-5798
RV Dump Station RV Disposal30+ Miles (SW)Catalina State Park (520) 628-5798
Primitive Camping CampgroundOn Site Peppersauce Campground
Convenience Store Conv Store5-20 Miles (N)Oracle

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
Entry(None)
Riding(None)
CampingYes
Tent: $15.00
RV: $15.00
Addtl. Vehicle: $15.00
Peppersauce Campground Fee - $15/night; group site - $50/night.
CommentCash, check, or money order accepted at campground.

RATINGS

Prosfree, nice campground, nice scenery
Consno actual trails
Our RatingRatingFair
Recommended StayFull Day
Spring/Fall
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityOracle, AZ
AddressS Mt. Lemmon Road, Oracle, AZ 85623
Go Back To Arizona List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Oracle, AZ
1) Take SR-77 to West or East American Ave.
2) Follow road until it connects with Mt. Lemmon Road
3) Continue about 8 miles east on Mt. Lemmon road to Peppersauce campground. Stage here.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoCoronado National Forest - Santa Catalina Ranger District
5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 749-8700
mailroom_r3_coronado@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

The road offers beautiful views of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

OHV at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

Not much terrain but the scenery is nice.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

This is one of the sites at Peppersauce Campground. The name comes from an incident back in 1880 when prospector Alex McKay claimed that a bottle of hot sauce turned up missing.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Some amenities at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

Peppersauce Campground has 17 sites and one group site. Each campsite comes with a picnic table and fire ring. There are no hookups but a water spigot with potable water is available (we recommended filtering with a Big Berkey).

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

OHV at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

There are no real ATV trails in this area, just a smooth and maintained gravel road.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

This is the entrance to Peppersauce Campground.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Some terrain at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

A shallow stream crossing the main road.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Some terrain at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

Most of the road is fairly smooth with a few scattered cacti vegetation and beautiful mountain views. This area is best explored on a dual sport motorcycle.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

A trail at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

At one time this road was the only way to access Mt. Lemmon.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Scenic view of Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

Another view of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Amenities at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

The gate is closed seasonally when there is snow and ice on the road, which is generally around December through mid March.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

A slight bend in the road.

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Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Terrain example at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Amenities at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

A view from the other side of the campground.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

A trail at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

Another view of the road.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Scenery at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

This photo pretty much sums up the place.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Scenery at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

A shallow stream crossing on the main road.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Scenic view of Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

The views are the best thing about this place. Not much for trails.

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Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Scenic view at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

A shallow stream crossing on the side of the road.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

OHV at Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

This photo sums up the Mt. Lemmon Control Road. Nothing too difficult.

Mt. Lemmon Trail Photo

Scenery from Mt. Lemmon Control Road Trail

Another view of the road.

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