Explore Arizona’s public lands on BLM-managed trails, OHV areas and more

As the United States celebrates 250 years of freedom, there’s no better way to honor our shared heritage than by exploring the vast public lands that belong to all Americans.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages hundreds of trails, Back Country Byways, off-highway vehicle (OHV) areas, and more across the United States, including right here in Arizona. You can discover historic ranches, ancient petroglyphs, and panoramic mountain vistas as you explore trails and areas that have been shaped by centuries of natural and human history. 

Whether you hike, ride horseback, mountain bike, ride OHVs, or take a scenic drive, there an experience for everyone to enjoy. In some places, you never even have to leave your car to enjoy the thrill and beauty of public lands. Many of these areas are just a short drive from major cities and towns — and most are free to visit. Adventure is closer and more affordable than you might think.

Understandably, it can be hard to choose from so many options! That is why we are making it easier for you to pick. Lace up your hiking boots, rev your engines, and check out a map of some of the coolest places on BLM-managed public lands in Arizona.

Before you head out, take a moment to plan. Carry plenty of water, prepare for the weather, pack proper gear, and check conditions before you leave. Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan on returning. Some places are remote and require high‑clearance four‑wheel drive vehicles and strong navigation skills. When you visit, practice outdoor ethics and leave no trace. These simple steps keep you safe and help protect the American landscapes we all share.

If you have any questions, please contact the local managing field office of the area you plan to visit by phone or email, or stop by in person during normal business hours.

Northern Arizona

Northern Arizona offers some of the state’s most iconic public lands. This region includes BLM‑managed segments of the Arizona Trail, short scenic hikes like the two‑mile Mokaac Trail, and unique remote destinations such as White Pocket in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument — and more.

On the Arizona Strip, the two-mile Mokaac Trail offers sweeping scenic views and the chance to spot wildlife in its natural habitat. It offers a great beginner to intermediate hiking experience just a short distance from St. George, Utah.

For something truly unique, visit White Pocket in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. There’s no designated trail here, just windswept layers of orange, yellow, and white rock formations. It is remote, rugged, and unforgettable — so come prepared.

For the ultimate adventure, tackle the Arizona National Scenic Trail, an 800-mile route from Mexico to Utah, with 45 miles of BLM-managed passages through Buckskin Mountain in northern Arizona or the Gila River Canyons and Tortilla Mountain in southern Arizona. Enjoy hiking, horseback riding, dispersed camping, and more along the trail. In northern Arizona, the Arizona Trail starts along the Arizona-Utah border at the BLM-managed Stateline Campground. The Arizona Trail Association publishes a variety of information about how to plan your visit to the Arizona Trail, including about where to find water and latest updates for the entire trail.

The Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site has over 500 petroglyphs made by several American Indian groups over an 8,000-year period. The trail is appropriate for beginner hikers, and interpretive signs can be found along the trail. The carvings on the rocks aren’t just art, they’re voices from the past!

Near Kingman, the Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area offers a sprawling trail system hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. Scenic rock formations, wildlife viewing, and over 40 miles of trails make Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area a must-see.

Off-highway vehicle enthusiasts can tackle the 10-mile Moss Wash OHV Trail through scenic high mountain forests and the Mohave Desert, with a stop at Gold King Mansion to uncover Arizona’s mining heritage. 

Stick around Kingman to hike to one of Arizona’s most breathtaking summits in the 40,000-acre Wabayuma Peak Wilderness. The 2.5-mile Wabayuma Peak Trail is a rugged climb through ponderosa pine forests and ends near the summit, offering panoramic views of the Black, Aquarius, and Hualapai mountains.

Central Arizona

In central Arizona, you can summit Quartz Peak for sweeping views of the Sierra Estrella Wilderness, pedal along the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail’s 80‑mile stretch, or lose yourself in the solitude of the North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness — and more.

Just north of Phoenix, the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail stretches for 80 miles through stunning desert landscapes. This trail provides challenging hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking experiences.

Love summitting mountains? South of Phoenix, Quartz Peak Trail, in the 14,400-acre Sierra Estrella Wilderness, leads visitors from the floor of Rainbow Valley to the summit ridge of the Sierra Estrella at Quartz Peak in just three miles.

Located in the 34,400-acre Table Top Wilderness in the Sonoran Desert National Monument, Table Top Trail takes visitors from the floor of Vekol Valley to the summit of Table Top Mountain in 3.5 miles. Also in the Table Top Wilderness, the 7.25-mile Lava Flow Trail offers a challenging yet rewarding trek. It passes through dense forests of saguaro, paloverde, ironwood, and cholla, skirts Black Mountain's basaltic slopes, and crosses several washes.

If you’re craving solitude, the 9-mile Margies Cove Trail and 6-mile Brittlebush Trail are longer hiking treks in the 63,200-acre North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness, also nested in the Sonoran Desert National Monument. These trails are more remote, so you’ll likely have the desert all to yourself.

For rugged adventure, Harquahala Mountain near Wickenburg delivers regardless of whether you drive the scenic 10.5-mile Back Country Byway or tackle the steep 5.5-mile Pack Trail.

Craving adrenaline? Head to the Crossroads and Copper Basin Dunes OHV areas in the Parker Strip Recreation Area or Standard Wash OHV Area near Lake Havasu City for unrestricted playgrounds for dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, dune buggies, and more.

Southern Arizona

Public lands in southern Arizona feature breathtaking landscapes and rich history. From trails to the Black Hills Back Country Byway, these public lands highlight the state’s ranching and mining heritage and diverse terrain — and more.

Near Safford, the 18-mile Safford-Morenci Trail takes you through rugged canyons of the Gila Mountains and Turtle Mountain. Or journey by car along the 21-mile Black Hills Back Country Byway, where you’ll pass rockhound areas, scenic overlooks, and campgrounds.

Not far from Tucson, discover Arizona's rich ranching history at the Heritage Discovery Trail and Empire Ranch, which has been a working cattle ranch for 150 years. It is in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area north of Sonoita.

Near Yuma, slow down at Betty's Kitchen Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area and National Recreation Trail. You can fish from the pier, birdwatch and picnic under cottonwoods, and walk a short 0.5-mile trail rich with wildlife.

Every mile on Arizona’s public lands tells a story. What stories will you discover? As we celebrate 250 years of independence, the BLM invites you to explore public lands responsibly, learn from the landscapes, and share experiences that will inspire the next generation.