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Charouleau Gap

Monday, March 18, 2024

Other Names

Charleau Gap, Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Mountains, Samaniego Ridge, Santa Catalina Ranger District

Last Known StatusOpen

This is a moderately challenging 4x4 trail that stretches about 19 miles from N. Lago Del Oro Parkway all the way to Oracle. The terrain consists of rocky creek bed washes, deep ruts, some steep climbs, a few seasonal shallow water crossings plus some great desert scenery but there is not much in the way of actual motorcycle or ATV trails.

This can be a full day trip for 4x4s, or a couple of hours for dirt bikes and ATVs. Be sure to sign in at the gate and bring plenty of water because this is a very large area. This trail is maintained by the Tucson Rough Riders Club through a cooperative agreement with the Forest Service, so be sure to say thanks for the road work, maintenance and installation of signage.

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 BlazingProhibitedstay on the trail
Rule EnforcementFew/Periodic
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TERRAIN

Miles Of Trail19
Climate TypeDesert
Elevation3000 to 5400 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has some loose dirt.Some
Hard PackThe trail has mostly hard pack terrain.Mostly
SandThis trail has some sandy areas.Some
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has some dust on typical days.Some
RocksThis trail has some rocks.Some
TreesThe trail has few trees.Few
Steep HillsThis trail has many steep hills.Many
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 some berms.Some
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 few shooting ranges or gunfire.Few
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
steep banks
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has some beginner terrain.Some
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has little expert terrain.Little

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest, State Trust Land

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline1-5 Miles (SW)Vallero/Tucson
Diesel Diesel1-5 Miles (SW)Vallero/Tucson
Potable Water Water1-5 Miles (SW)Vallero/Tucson
RV Hookups RV Hookup5-20 Miles (S)Catalina State Park (520) 628-5798
RV Dump Station RV Disposal5-20 Miles (S)Catalina State Park (520) 628-5798
Primitive Camping Campground5-20 Miles (S)Catalina State Park (520) 628-5798
Convenience Store Conv Store1-5 Miles (SW)Vallero/Tucson

FEES & PASSES

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

RATINGS

Prosfree, great mountain scenery
Consno actual motorcycle trails, is really a 4x4 trail
Our RatingRatingGood
Recommended StayFull Day
Fall/Spring
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityTucson, AZ
AddressS Lago Del Oro Pkwy, Tucson, AZ 85739
Go Back To Arizona List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Tucson, AZ
1) Take SR-77 (Oracle Road) to Golder Ranch Road intersection
2) Turn right (east) on Golder Ranch Road, continue 1.2 miles
3) Turn left (north) on N. Lago Del Oro Parkway, continue 3 miles
4) Look for a kiosk and cattleguard on the right, enter 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
Contact InfoTucson Rough Riders
P.O. Box 78726
Tucson, AZ 85703-8726
www.tucsonroughriders.com
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

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Charouleau Gap Trail

The main staging area has a kiosk with information and a sign-in box.

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

four by four at Charouleau Gap Trail

The trail starts to get rough quickly as it heads toward the mountains.

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Scenic view of Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Terrain example at Charouleau Gap Trail

There are some shallow stream crossings.

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Some terrain at Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Scenery from Charouleau Gap Trail

This is a good view of the start of the main route.

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Example of terrain at Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

OHV at Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Terrain example at Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Scenery from Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

off-road vehicle at Charouleau Gap Trail

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Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Scenic view of Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

OHV at Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Terrain example at Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Scenic view of Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Example of terrain at Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Scenic view of Charouleau Gap Trail

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Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Terrain example at Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Some terrain at Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

Scenic view of Charouleau Gap Trail

Charouleau Gap Trail Photo

A trail at Charouleau Gap Trail

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