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Cinder Hills OHV Area

Monday, March 18, 2024

Other Names

The Cinders, Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District, Sunset Crater Volcanoe National Monument, Pinnacle Crater, Little Cinder Basin, Bonito Park, Bonito Campground, Cinder Lake, Hundred Dollar Hill

Last Known StatusOpen

This area offers some huge hill climbs and about 19 miles of ATV trails through deep volcanic craters and ponderosa pines. The cinders from ancient volcanoes feel like loose sand, but these tiny lava pebbles tend to tear up paddle tires quickly. Most of the trails are actually double track and perfect for quads and side by sides, but nearby Fort Valley and Kelly Canyon offer miles of pure single track for dirt bikes, minus the lava pebbles.

Cinder Hills is open year-round but the best time to visit is during the summer months, which is considerably cooler than Phoenix. Dispersed camping is permitted, but the main staging area has no facilities. Groceries and gasoline can be found a few miles away in nearby Flagstaff. Bonito Campground is close by, with picnic tables, fire rings, water faucets and vault toilets, but does not have direct OHV access.

Tourist attractions include Hundred-Dollar Hill (a nasty hill-climb of almost 900 feet!) and Sunset crater, a 500ft deep volcanic crater used by the Apollo astronauts for practice on operating the Lunar Rover (off-limits to OHV).

OHV Area Map... Nearby ATV OHV Areas...

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)
PermittedAll OHVs must be steet legal on FS-776 & FS-777
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(camp in developed sites only)
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night RidingUnknown
Trail BlazingProhibitedstay on designated trails
Rule EnforcementFew/PeriodicDedicated Rangers/Officers
Jeep/SUV Patrol
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TERRAIN

Approx Size13,500 acres (21 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail19
Climate TypeForest
Elevation6600 to 7800 ft.
Trail MaintenanceNot Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose DirtThis OHV area has no loose dirt.None
Hard PackThe OHV area has no hard pack terrain.None
SandThis OHV area has almost all sandy areas.Allpaddle or sand tire recommended for best experience
Not sand, volcanic cinders.
MudThe OHV area has no mud after it rains.None
DustThe OHV area has little dust on typical days.Little
RocksThis OHV area has little rocks.Little
TreesThe OHV area has many trees.Many
Steep HillsThis OHV area has many steep hills.Many
Water CrossingsThe OHV area has no water crossings.None
Small JumpsThis OHV area has some small jumps.Some
Large JumpsThis OHV area has some large jumps.Some
BermsThe OHV area has almost all berms.All
Sand/Gravel PitsThis national forest has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis national forest has few single track trails.FewMany single ATV trails, no singletrack.
RoadsThis national forest has few roads.FewAll forest service roads are for street legal vehicles only.
IntersectionsThis OHV area has many intersections.Many
Rider TrafficThe national forest has many rider traffic on typical days.Manycrowded during summer weekends, empty during winter
ShadeThis national forest has many shaded areas.Many
Ranges/GunfireThis national forest has no shooting ranges or gunfire.None
HazardsThis OHV area has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
steep drop-offs
Easy Terrain NoviceThis OHV area has some beginner terrain.Some
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis OHV area has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis OHV area has some expert terrain.Some
Commentvery steep hill climbs (optional)

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails, Off-Road Dunes
LandNational Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline1-5 Miles (S)Silver Saddle General Store (928) 522-7050
Diesel Diesel1-5 Miles (S)Silver Saddle General Store (928) 522-7050
Potable Water Water1-5 Miles (S)Silver Saddle General Store (928) 522-7050
RV Hookups RV Hookup5-20 Miles (S)KOA - Flagstaff (928) 526-9926
RV Dump Station RV Disposal5-20 Miles (S)KOA - Flagstaff (928) 526-9926
Primitive Camping Campground1-5 Miles (N)Bonita Campground
Convenience Store Conv Store1-5 Miles (S)Silver Saddle General Store (928) 522-7050

FEES & PASSES

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

RATINGS

Prosunique terrain, great twisty trails, great scenery, all skill levels
Consno services, can't ride on roads, crowded during holidays, trails are not marked, trails are not one way, dangerous when crowded
Our RatingRatingExcellent
Recommended Stay3-5 Days
Spring
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityFlagstaff, AZ
Go Back To Arizona List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Flagstaff, AZ
1) Take Hwy 89 North about 8 miles
2) Turn right (east) on NF-776 (you will see a sign that says "Cinders OHV Area")
3) Continue about 1.3 miles to the main staging area.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoCoconino National Forest - Flagstaff Ranger District
5075 N. Hwy 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
(928) 526-0866
sm.fs.cof_webmail@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov
Contact InfoArizona State Parks
(602) 542-6942
(602) 542-2146
mrogers@azstateparks.gov
meberhart@azstateparks.gov
azstateparks.com
CommentArizona State Parks OHV Grants Program

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Cinder Hills OHV Area

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda TRX 250EX on top of steep hill.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Yellow Honda Recon 250 navigating through a narrow section of trail.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda Recon 250 riding down snow covered ATV trail.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Red Honda TRX 250EX going up steep hill climb.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Woman on Honda TRX 250EX riding through patch of snow on ATV trail.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Close up photo of hand holding some tiny lava pebbles.

Those on paddle tires will have the best time but the tiny lava pebbles will tear up anything with rubber. If you are planning a long weekend bring extra tires.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

A close up photo of a primitive campsite with fire ring underneath mature pine trees.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Yellow Honda Recon 250 navigating through a wide section of trail.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

A scenic view of snow capped tall hill climb with pine trees.

Known locally as the "Hundred Dollar Hill", this 900 foot climb can only be tackled by larger machines.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Man on Honda Recon 250 parked with snow capped mountains and mature pine trees in the background.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Honda TRX 250EX navigating through a patch of snow on ATV trail.

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Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider wearing winter riding gear on Yellow Honda Recon 250 going downhill on wide ATV trail.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda TRX 250EX riding down a steep hill.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda Recon 250 riding up small hill.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda TRX 250EX at base of steep hill climb.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Man on Honda Recon 250 going up steep hill climb.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda TRX 250EX riding through snow covered ATV trail.

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Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Woman on Honda TRX 250EX navigating ATV trail.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

A close up scecnic photo of pine trees and rolling hills.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Woman on Honda TRX 250EX parked with snow capped mountains in the background.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

A scenic view of hill climb with pine trees.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Red Honda TRX 250EX going through snow covered ATV trail surrounded by pine trees.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

A scenic view of snow covered ATV trails with pine trees.

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Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Red Honda TRX 250EX parked on ATV trail surrounded by pine trees.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

A scenic view of tall hill climb.

Known locally as the 'Hundred Dollar Hill', this 900 foot climb can only be tackled by larger machines.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda TRX 250EX riding on trail surrounded by pine trees.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda TRX 250EX parked on trail with pine trees and snow covered hills in the background.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

A close up photo of snow covered ATV trail with pine trees.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda TRX 250EX navigating ATV trail with rocky section through pine trees.

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Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda TRX 250EX riding on makeshift track through pine trees.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda Recon 250 at top of hill climb.

Cinder Hills OHV Area Photo

Rider on Honda Recon 250 at bottom of hill climb.

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