Red Springs

Red Springs is the Coronado National Forest's motorcycle singletrack system in the desert foothills west of Interstate 19, in the Tumacacori Mountains area of the Nogales Ranger District. It was a hunting area with rough four-wheel-drive roads until riders, the Trail Riders of Southern Arizona, the Forest Service, and Arizona State Parks built roughly 25 miles of dedicated motorized singletrack, which opened in June 2019. It is one of the first legal singletrack systems on the forest.

Expect narrow, rocky desert trail through ocotillo and grassland with short hills. RiderPlanet describes it as geared to experienced riders and rough enough that big dual sports like a KLR650 or KTM 690 are a poor fit; it rates the area mostly amateur terrain, with some novice trail. The trails are marked and rated for difficulty. Trails numbered 480 through 485 are open to motorcycles, mountain bikes, horses, and hikers only. Trail 486 (Upper Red Spring) is open to ATVs, UTVs, and jeeps as well. ATVs and side-by-sides can use the forest roads but not the singletrack. The main forest roads are chunky with sharp rocks. The Trail Riders of Southern Arizona sell a map with suggested routes from introductory to advanced.

Getting there

From Tucson, take I-19 south to Exit 40 (Chavez Siding), about 40 miles. Turn west, then north onto the frontage road for about 0.3 miles and look for the Hunter Access Point sign for Forest Road 684 with a cattle guard. A small staging area sits by the sign, with little room and no services. The singletrack trailhead is about 4 miles farther west on Road 684, with an information kiosk, a shade ramada, a picnic table, and room for roughly 10 vehicles. The nearest town is Tubac; Green Valley has fuel and supplies.

Fees, permits, and rules

No entry, parking, or riding fee is listed. RiderPlanet says an Arizona OHV decal is required and that non-residents must buy one; confirm the current rules with Arizona Game and Fish before you go. A spark arrestor is required, and the noise limit is 96 dB. Stay on designated trails, and clean your bike before riding to avoid spreading invasive plants. Overnight parking is not allowed at the staging areas. Dispersed camping is allowed along some designated routes; check the Coronado National Forest motor vehicle use map. Hunters use the area, so expect other users in hunting seasons.

When to ride

The area is listed as open year-round at 3,100 to 4,000 feet, with fall and winter the recommended seasons. Summers are hot. Some creek crossings are seasonal and usually dry. Check the Coronado National Forest for fire restrictions and closures before you go.