Desert Vista OHV Area

Facility · Arizona ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Tonto National Forest (NF) · Open Access

3,110 ft
Elevation

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)

33.84980, -111.81623 · 33°50'59.3"N 111°48'58.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in1.41.41.40.40.20.11.11.10.90.80.81.0

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Desert Vista OHV Area

Can you reserve a site at Desert Vista OHV Area?
No. Desert Vista OHV Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Desert Vista OHV Area

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.