Cinder Hills OHV Area
Difficulty: Easy to difficult.
Description: 13,500-acre area of volcanic cinder cones, craters and pine forest. Open to off-highway vehicle users with certain restrictions. Only licensed vehicles allowed on Forest Service roads leading into the area. Helmets and spark arresters required. Dispersed camping permitted in posted areas along F.S. 776. No glass containers allowed. Trails go almost everywhere throughout the area; do not create new ones. Stay off the steepest slopes to minimize impact. Obey all signs and stay within the area boundary at all times. Easy rolling hills to steep climbs. Loose, gravelly ash is soft like sand and can quickly overheat engines.
Time & Distance: This route is about 8 miles one way. Allow about 3 hours to get in and back out. Camp and explore up to 14 days.
Trail Conditions: Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District. Call (928) 526-0866.
Remember: trail conditions, fire restrictions, weather, and land ownership change constantly so everyone must take responsibility for themselves, both for their safety and complying with all laws. Please understand that means YOU.
Directions to the Trail: Take Hwy 89 northeast from the Flagstaff Mall 7.7 miles and turn right. The road is marked for the Cinder Hills OHV Area but you don’t see the sign until after you turn.
View Cinder Hills OHV Area in a larger map for even more DETAILS!
Return Trip: Return the way you came.
Get yourself and your rig ready for the trip: Make sure both you and your vehicle are prepared for your next adventure.
Before you venture out on your offroading trip you need to make sure you are prepared for emergencies. Even if nothing happens to you or your vehicle, you might come across someone who needs help. Short of having your full-on bug-out-bag with you, you should at least have some basic emergency items. It might seem obvious to some, but you should get yourself a tool box with appropriate tools and leather gloves, good first aid kit, fire extinguisher, set of jumper cables, emergency blankets (stored in heavy plastic bag – both are useful), flashlight, tow strap and some extra water. I would also suggest a recovery strap, a military folding shovel, heavy duty garbage bags, and a hand crank self powered weather radio. These items are not expensive, but they just might save your day.
Another thing you should definitely do before you leave is to save the number to Arizona 4×4 Off Road Recovery in case you find yourself in need of recovery in the middle of nowhere. Their number is (602) 697-8306.
If you’re ready for a next adventure and want to plan it right, check out some of these trail guides – Arizona has so many awesome destinations to explore!
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