3 Epic Tonto National Forest Trails You Can Explore in a Weekend

The Lower Sycamore OHV area is a local favorite for good reason. The terrain mixes sandy washes with rocky technical sections, and after a good rain, the creek crossings are the main event. There's something satisfying about splashing through shallow water with saguaro-studded hills rising on either side.

The trail network winds through classic Sonoran Desert scenery—palo verde trees, ocotillo, chollas catching the light, and views of Four Peaks dominating the eastern skyline. For those looking for a challenge, the Widowmaker hill climb has earned its reputation. But plenty of easier routes let you cruise and soak in the scenery.

If you want to cover serious ground, The Rolls delivers. This 24,000-acre permit zone offers roughly 150 miles of motorized routes ranging from smooth forest roads to technical single-track. You could spend days here and still find new trails.

The highlight is Four Peaks Road (Forest Road 143), a scenic route that climbs through the Mazatzal Mountains with panoramic views of Roosevelt Lake, the Superstition Mountains, and the iconic Four Peaks themselves. The desert transitions from saguaro forests at lower elevations to manzanita and oak woodlands as you climb—it's like driving through multiple ecosystems in a single day.

From the Pobrecito staging area, trails descend to the back coves of Saguaro Lake. Pack a cooler, find a quiet spot on the water, and you've got yourself an all-day adventure.

Bulldog Canyon is the closest of the three and offers a completely different experience. The 34,000-acre permit zone has about 20 miles of full-width routes winding through the Goldfield Mountains—compact enough for a half-day trip but scenic enough to fill your camera roll.

This is quintessential Arizona desert: dense saguaro forests, canyon walls streaked with desert varnish, and the jagged Superstition Mountains looming to the south. Wildlife sightings are common—we spotted wild horses grazing near a wash, plus hawks, javelinas, and evidence of coyotes everywhere.

The terrain is rockier than Sycamore Creek, with some sections requiring careful line selection. But the payoff is that remote, rugged feeling even though you're less than an hour from Mesa.