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Santa Rita OHV Routes

Monday, March 18, 2024

Other Names

Santa Rita, Gardner Canyon, Coronado National Forest, MT. Fagan, Papago Canyon, Scholefield Canyon, Helvetia Rd., Helvita Rd., Hidden Valley Ranch, Harts Butte, Wiegles Butte, Nogales Ranger District, Gunsight Pass

Last Known StatusOpen

This system of rocky jeep trails and sand washes has a small staging area with a map kiosk and loading ramp but no services. Camping is not permitted at the main staging area in the north, but there are plenty of primitive campsites near the south entrance and along the trails.

The area is fairly rocky and there are not a lot of actual motorcycle or ATV trails, but mosty just narrow and chunky 4x4 roads. Still, the area is pretty fun to check out. The primary roads connecting the staging areas are open to street legal vehicles only.

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 CampingSome Areas
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas
Night RidingYesNot Recommended
Trail BlazingProhibitedriders must stay on trail
Rule EnforcementFew/Periodic
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TERRAIN

Approx Size64,000 acres (100 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail50
Climate TypeDesert
Elevation4400 to 5700 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has no loose dirt.None
Hard PackThe trail has mostly hard pack terrain.Mostly
SandThis trail has little sandy areas.Little
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has some dust on typical days.Some
RocksThis trail has mostly rocks.Mostly
TreesThe trail has few trees.Few
Steep HillsThis trail has some steep hills.Some
Water CrossingsThe trail has few water crossings.Few
Small JumpsThis trail has few small jumps.Few
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 few shaded areas.Few
Ranges/GunfireThis national forest has no shooting ranges or gunfire.None
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
steep embankments
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has some beginner terrain.Some
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has some intermediate level terrain.Some
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has no expert terrain.None

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline5-20 Miles (NW)Roadrunner Market (520) 762-5452
Diesel Diesel5-20 Miles (NW)Roadrunner Market (520) 762-5452
Potable Water Water5-20 Miles (NW)Roadrunner Market (520) 762-5452
RV Hookups RV Hookup20-30 Miles (S)Patagonia RV Park (520) 394-2491 or (520) 400-3857
RV Dump Station RV Disposal20-30 Miles (S)Patagonia RV Park (520) 394-2491 or (520) 400-3857
Primitive Camping Campground20-30 Miles (S)Patagonia RV Park (520) 394-2491 or (520) 400-3857
Convenience Store Conv Store5-20 Miles (NW)Roadrunner Market (520) 762-5452

FEES & PASSES

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

RATINGS

Prosfree, trail maps and loading ramps at staging area, large area
Consrocky, no motorcycle trails, small staging area, no services, rules are unclear - licensed vehicles applies to main road or trails?
Our RatingRatingFair
Recommended StayFull Day
Winter/Spring
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityTucson, AZ
Go Back To Arizona List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Tucson, AZ
1) Take I-10 East to Exit 281
2) Turn right (south) off the exit ramp onto Hwy 83, continue 11.8 miles
3) Turn right (west) on Helvita Road, continue .3 miles
4) Main Staging area entrance is on the right.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoCoronado National Forest - Nogales Ranger District
303 Old Tucson Road
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 281-2296
mailroom_r3_coronado@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Most of the routes you will find look something like this.  The terrain is not too exciting, but the scenery is decent.

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Girl on a Honda CRF Dirtbike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Trails like this were not steep but fairly dry and rocky and this one just wound up at a dead end near the summit.

Santa Rita Trail Photo

A rocky area at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Although numereous, the rocks are mostly small and more annoying than challenging.  If you really hate rocks, at least half of these trails probably won't be much fun for you.

Santa Rita Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

This main staging area (north) has a map kiosk and three loading ramps with ample parking.

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

This wash can be accessed from the main road near the northern staging area.  It does get a little bit more interesting as you continue.

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

This is another pretty typical example of what was here.  Nice views if you pick your head up, but mostly you'll be watching out for little rocks that want to roll your front wheel out!

Santa Rita Trail Photo

A trail at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

A view of the nice backdrop of rolling hills and mountains.

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Trails like these can wreak havoc on tires and give you puncture or pinch flats. It helps to keep your tire pressure a little higher than normal.

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

A lot of people run about 14lbs front, 18lbs rear to help avoid flats on this type of stuff.

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Girl on Honda CRF Dirtbike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Girl on a Honda CRF Trail Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

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Santa Rita Trail Photo

Woman riding a Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Girl riding a Honda CRF Trail Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Girl riding a Honda CRF Trail Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Girl on a Honda CRF Off-Road Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

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Santa Rita Trail Photo

Girl riding a Honda CRF Trail Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Some terrain at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Girl riding a Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

A rocky section at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

Santa Rita Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Santa Rita OHV Routes Trail

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