Our Backyard: Off-Roading Around Vail, Arizona

Vail, Arizona doesn't get the spotlight that Moab or Sedona do, and honestly, we like it that way. Tucked east of Tucson at the base of the Santa Rita and Rincon mountains, this is quiet, rugged high-desert country, and it's home turf for the crew.

If you're new to the area or just passing through, here are some local trails worth airing down for. You can find every one of them on onX Offroad.

The Local Classics

Redington Pass. A local classic. This two-lane route runs along the western slope overlooking Tucson, with plenty of dispersed camping spots along the way. Difficulty swings from mellow to genuinely rough, with deep ruts and washouts depending on the section, so it rewards a rig that's ready for anything.

Box Canyon Road. A scenic climb through the Santa Rita Mountains that takes you out of the desert floor and up into oak country. The views back down the canyon are some of the best in the area, and it's a good pick when you want a drive that's as much about the scenery as the technical trail.

Oak Tree Wash Trail. Narrow, technical, and unforgiving in spots. It opens with a steep, off-camber drop that has caught more than a few stock suspensions off guard. Not a beginner trail, but a favorite for the crew members running built rigs who want a real test.

Easy Cruisers and Family Runs

Rosemont Trail. About six miles that wind mostly through dry washes, with easygoing terrain and just enough challenge to keep it interesting. Multiple trailheads make it easy to fit into a morning.

Forty Nine Wash Trail. A short run near Cienega Creek through open grasslands with big panoramic mountain views. Great for showing someone new what our backyard actually looks like.

Happy Valley FR 35. Fourteen miles of easy dirt that winds right past the historic movie town of Mescal. It's a solid all-day cruise with a little Old West history thrown in.

Apache Spring Trail. A little under five miles that ends at a deserted cabin with a small campsite. Pack a lunch and make it a destination.

Gardner Canyon FR 92. A rugged forest road in the Santa Ritas with creek crossings and gorgeous grasslands. Check the water level before you cross, especially after a storm.

Chiva Loop (Forest Road 4417). Big skies, rocky hills and sandy washes on the way out to Chiva Falls. Fall is the best time to run it.

When You Want a Real Test

Italian Trap Road. Northeast of Tucson, with rock gardens, rutted climbs, a tricky rocky descent and a handful of ranch gates. Connect to it from the Chiva Loop by way of Park Tank Road.

Charouleau Gap. It's a drive from Vail, but it's worth it. Nineteen miles through the Santa Catalinas between Catalina and Oracle, rated difficult, with steep climbs, shelf roads, a crossing of the Cañada del Oro Wash, and a massive off-camber ledge called The Step. Bring lockers, at least 33s, skid plates, a group, and a satellite communicator.

Why We Love It Here

What makes this area special isn't any single trail, it's the range. You can spend a morning cruising grasslands near Cienega Creek with the family and an afternoon testing your rig's limits on something like Oak Tree or Italian Trap, all within a short drive of home.

As always: check current conditions and land access before you go, some routes cross BLM, State Trust, or National Forest land with their own rules, air down responsibly, pack recovery gear, and leave it better than you found it.

See you out there. Adventure awaits, right in our backyard.