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Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Monday, March 18, 2024

Other Names

Camp Wood, Cottonwood Mountain, Stinson Mountain, Connell Mountains, BT Butte, Sheriden Mountain, Cedar Mesa, Sycamore Rim, Sycamore Mesa, Jones Mountain, Prescott National Forest, Chino Valley Ranger District

Last Known StatusOpen

This forested area offers some long and challenging ATV double-track loops with great panoramic views. Most of the trails are very manageable, but a few of them are relentlessly chunky so be prepared for a little bit of a bashing.

In addition to the trails, it is also possible to do long cruising loops on the smooth forest service roads which take you past some interesting old corrals and through a couple of shallow stream crossings.

With about 40 miles of trails, this is a great area for a full day ride, or two days of exploration, but the trails are generally more suited to ATVs than motorcycles.

Overall if you enjoy mountain views and you don't mind going slower on the rockier parts, you'll really enjoy this ride. Parking is permitted at Camp Wood staging area but there are no services.

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 WidthYes (50 inches)has entrance gate and narrow terrain
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermitted
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermitted(maximum width 50 inches)
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSPermitted(maximum width 50 inches)
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Prohibited
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
Prohibited
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 Areaspermitted at Camp Wood
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas
Night RidingUnknownNot Recommended
Trail BlazingProhibitedkeep on designated trails
Rule EnforcementFew/Periodic
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TERRAIN

Approx Size83,200 acres (130 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail40
Climate TypeForest
Elevation3500 to 6500 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has little loose dirt.Little
Hard PackThe trail has mostly hard pack terrain.Mostly
SandThis trail has no sandy areas.None
MudThe trail has no mud after it rains.None
DustThe trail has little dust on typical days.Little
RocksThis trail has almost all rocks.All
TreesThe trail has many trees.Many
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 few berms.Few
Sand/Gravel PitsThis national forest has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis national forest has no single track trails.NoneMostly ATV double track trails
RoadsThis national forest has few roads.Few
IntersectionsThis trail has few intersections.Few
Rider TrafficThe national forest has few rider traffic on typical days.Few
ShadeThis national forest has many shaded areas.Many
Ranges/GunfireThis national forest has no shooting ranges or gunfire.None
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
sharp rocks, some steep banks
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has little beginner terrain.Littleonly novice terrain is the foresert service roads, no play areas
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has some expert terrain.Some
Commentrocks, rocks and more rocks

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline30+ Miles (SE)Circle K (928) 776-1271
Diesel Diesel30+ Miles (SE)Prescott
Potable Water Water30+ Miles (SE)Prescott
RV Hookups RV Hookup30+ Miles (SE)Wilow Lake RV Park & Campground (928) 445-6311
RV Dump Station RV Disposal30+ Miles (SE)Wilow Lake RV Park & Campground (928) 445-6311
Primitive Camping Campground30+ Miles (SE)Wilow Lake RV Park & Campground (928) 445-6311
Convenience Store Conv Store30+ Miles (SE)Prescott

FEES & PASSES

ParkingYes ($5.00)
day use area fee
Entry(None)
Riding(None)
Camping(None)

RATINGS

Prosfree camping, long trail loops, great scenery
Conslots of sharp rocks, no services, trail loops are long, very long access road - 15 mile dirt access road - is graded but long and slow, no single track motorcycle trails
Our RatingRatingGood
Recommended Stay1-2 Days
Spring/Fall
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityPrescott, AZ
Go Back To Arizona List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Prescott, AZ
1) Take CR-5 (Williamson Valley Road) north 22.1 miles
2) Turn left (west) on NF-21, continue 15.5 miles
3) Turn right (north) on NF-95, continue about 100 feet. Campsite/staging is on the right
4) Or continue .25 miles further along NF-95 to the larger staging area (recommended for RVs).

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoPrescott National Forest - Chino Valley Ranger District
735 N. Hwy 89
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
(928) 777-2200
mailroom_r3_prescott@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

We couldn't get enough of these gorgeous mountain views from almost every hilltop.  We stopped many times to take it all in.

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

This is one example of one of the many interesting little climbs and rock steps to be found on the main loop.

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

The trails are an even mixture of woods and desert vegetation.  This photo was taken somewhere near the staging and camping area.

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

There was nothing too extreme on the main loop, but there were enough rocks to make you feel a little bit weary by the end.

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Coming down one of the many short hills.  We didn't encounter anything very steep.

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

There are some rock steps like this scattered throughout but nothing we encountered seemed too scary or dangerous.

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

Scenery from Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

A trail at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Posing in front of the old corral.  There were a number of little photo opportunities like this along the main forest service roads.

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

Scenic view at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

This was a pretty good ride for sight seeing.

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

Scenery from Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

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Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

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Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

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Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

Some terrain at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

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Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

Scenery from Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

Sheridan Mountain Trail Photo

OHV at Sheridan Mountain Smith Mesa OHV Trail System

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