Home > Arizona > Santa Rita |
Saturday, December 14, 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 Status | Open |
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.
Permit Required | Yes | AZGFD sticker required |
Dates Open | Year-Round | |
Other ATV Stickers Accepted | No | All non-residents must purchase an Arizona OHV decal. |
Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | |
Whip Flags | Not Required | |
Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
ATVs | Permitted | |
UTV & SXS | Permitted | |
SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Permitted | |
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Permitted | |
2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
MX Helmet Required | Youth Only | required for persons under 18 by state law (RiderPlanet strongly recommends helmets for all riders.) |
Camping | Some Areas | |
Campfires | Some Areas | |
Night Riding | Yes | Not Recommended |
Trail Blazing | Prohibited | keep on the trail |
Rule Enforcement | Few/Periodic |
Approx Size | 64,000 acres (100 sq mi) | |
Miles Of Trail | 50 | |
Climate Type | Desert | |
Elevation | 4400 to 5700 ft. | |
Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
Loose Dirt | None | |
Hard Pack | Mostly | |
Sand | Little | |
Mud | Little | |
Dust | Some | |
Rocks | Mostly | |
Trees | Few | |
Steep Hills | Some | |
Water Crossings | Few | |
Small Jumps | Few | |
Large Jumps | None | |
Berms | None | |
Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
Single Track | None | |
Roads | All | |
Intersections | Few | |
Rider Traffic | Few | |
Shade | Few | |
Ranges/Gunfire | None | |
Hazards | Few | (hazards not marked) steep embankments |
Novice | Some | |
Amateur | Some | |
Expert | None |
Area | Motorized Trails |
Land | National Forest |
Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Roadrunner Market (520) 762-5452 |
Diesel | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Roadrunner Market (520) 762-5452 |
Water | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Roadrunner Market (520) 762-5452 |
RV Hookup | 20-30 Miles (S) | Patagonia RV Park (520) 394-2491 or (520) 400-3857 |
RV Disposal | 20-30 Miles (S) | Patagonia RV Park (520) 394-2491 or (520) 400-3857 |
Campground | 20-30 Miles (S) | Patagonia RV Park (520) 394-2491 or (520) 400-3857 |
Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Roadrunner Market (520) 762-5452 |
Parking | (None) |
Entry | (None) |
Riding | (None) |
Camping | (None) |
Pros | free, trail maps and loading ramps at staging area, large area |
Cons | rocky, no motorcycle trails, small staging area, no services, rules are unclear - licensed vehicles applies to main road or trails? |
Our Rating | Fair |
Recommended Stay | Full Day Winter/Spring |
Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
Nearest City | Tucson, AZ | ||
| 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. |
Contact Info | Coronado 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 |
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