Recreation area

Desert Vista OHV Area

Arizona — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Located in the Cave Creek District about one hour from Phoenix, this 33,500 acre area has more than 100 miles of open routes that vary in width. The primary access point is the Wildcat staging area located on Bartlett Dam Road approximately 1 mile east of Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek AZ. All routes are two-way travel ranging in technical challenge from easy to very difficult with the majority of routes falling in the moderate to more difficult category. A highlight of this area is Camp Creek Wash (FR413) which provides access to the Verde River and the Needle Rock Recreation area. Please remember to stay on the routes.  Driving off-road is prohibited on the Tonto National Forest.

Getting there

Directions: Exit 101 freeway at North Pima Road.  Continue north on Pima Road to North Cave Creek Road.  East on Cave Creek Road to Bartlett Dam Road.  East on Bartlett Dam Road, approximately one mile to the turn-off for the staging area on your right  Download a map of the Desert Vista OHV area (PDF)

Activities

  • OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more Arizona camping

Desert Vista OHV Area doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Arizona campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.