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Santa Rita OHV Routes

Monday, March 18, 2024

Trail Map

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.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

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	riders must stay on trail
Rule Enforcement	Few/Periodic

TERRAIN

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

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails

Land	National Forest

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

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

FEES & PASSES

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

RATINGS

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)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Tucson, AZ

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 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

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Santa Rita Trail Photo

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

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!