Where you ride a UTV near Phoenix depends on the season as much as the map. This guide sorts the public riding areas the agencies describe by the time of year they suit. We could not read the Forest Service website when we wrote it, so Tonto National Forest facts come from Recreation.gov, and everything else comes from Bureau of Land Management and Maricopa County pages read on November 9 and 10, 2026. Closures and fire rules change, so check each agency before you go.
Late October to mid April: the main riding season
The BLM says Sonoran Desert National Monument is best visited from late October to mid April. These are the areas the agencies describe:
- Sonoran Desert National Monument, about 60 miles from Phoenix. The BLM lists more than 460 miles of posted roads for back country driving. Vehicles must stay on existing routes marked with a BLM route number sign, and about 20 percent of the monument is temporarily closed to motorized use. The monument has no drinking water.
- Boulders OHV Staging Area, 45 miles north of downtown Phoenix on State Route 74. The BLM page lists over 200 miles of unimproved backcountry roads and single-track motorbike trails, free to use, with the best season listed as October to May. Check the BLM page for which routes are open to side-by-sides.
- Tonto National Forest OHV permit zones: Bulldog Canyon, The Rolls, Desert Vista and St. Clair. Recreation.gov lists the Desert Vista OHV Area at 33,500 acres with more than 100 miles of open routes, about an hour from Phoenix near Scottsdale. A Tonto OHV permit is required for motorized use in the zones, and Recreation.gov lists a 3-day permit at $10. The zones are open year round subject to severe weather and Forest Closure Orders.
May: the season edge
The Boulders page lists October to May as its best season, so May is the last month it names. Heat builds in this stretch. The Arizona Department of Health Services advises limiting strenuous activity above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Start early, and read our heat, water and timing guide.
June to September: heat and monsoon
- The BLM says summer temperatures at Sonoran Desert National Monument may exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and its monument guide says they may often reach 115.
- The BLM advises avoiding activity during peak heat and turning back if your group runs low on water.
- Monsoon season runs July to September and can bring flash floods. Do not cross a flooding wash.
- Seasonal fire restrictions come and go. The BLM page lists a notice dated July 22, 2026 about lifting seasonal fire restrictions in central and western Arizona. Check the current status before every ride.
Places you cannot ride
- Maricopa County parks, including Buckeye Hills and White Tank Mountain regional parks. The county says ATV and OHV use is not permitted at any county park.
- Off route, anywhere. Driving off road is prohibited on the Tonto National Forest, and cross-country travel is prohibited at Sonoran Desert National Monument.
- Most of Maricopa County on High Pollution Advisory days, when the county says riding is prohibited.
Year round rules that apply in every season
- Arizona requires an OHV decal. See our decal guide.
- Fireworks, exploding targets and other incendiary devices are prohibited year round on BLM land in Arizona.
- Bring water: the BLM plans on one gallon (4 liters) per person per day, and cell service is limited.
- The land rules guide covers Tonto, BLM and county rules in more detail.
Plan your ride
Our UTVs pick up in Glendale, Arizona. See the machines, seat counts and day rates on the Phoenix UTV page, and use the first time rider checklist before you book. The free UTV trailer is offered for a limited time and needs a tow vehicle.
Common questions
When is the best time to ride a UTV near Phoenix?
The Bureau of Land Management says Sonoran Desert National Monument is best visited from late October to mid April, and lists October to May as the best season at the Boulders OHV Staging Area.
Can I ride a UTV at Maricopa County parks?
No. Maricopa County says ATV and OHV use is not permitted at any county park.
Is riding allowed in the summer near Phoenix?
Agency pages do not ban summer riding, but they warn that temperatures may exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit, advise avoiding activity during peak heat, and warn of flash floods in monsoon season from July to September.
