El Camino Del Diablo is a very challenging trail for you to take on in your ATV. These trails are comparable to those monster ATV outings in Australia.
El Camino Del Diablo translated from Spanish means "the devil's highway", and is one hundred plus miles of sandy, single track trail that winds through the Sonoran desert zone of Arizona. When you ride this ATV trail you will be taken through a National Wildlife Refuge, a National Park, within a mile of the international border with Mexico, and through the middle of a military live bombing range.
You will need three permits to ATV the full length of El Camino: a permit to cross the Barry Goldwater Military Bombing Range, a second one to traverse the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, and a third to enter the Organ Pipes Cactus National Park.
Getting the permits to ride your ATV in these areas is easy and can be accomplished in one trip. Be aware when you get the permit to ride across the bombing range, you are signing away any responsibility the military has towards your safety on your ATV. You will need to provide three forms of identification, and signed the long and complicated form in triplicate.
You will see a lot of vegetation in the form of cholla cactus and prickly pear cacti grow in abundance in this area. Steer carefully on your ATV when riding by, those stickers go out further then you think!
There have been tales of people riding on the military part of this ATV trail and being used as live targets for laser bombs. They kick up a lot of dust, dirt and debris. Be aware this is an ATV ride not for the faint of heart.
After you cross the Tinajas Altas Range, you will go through a narrow pass and come out at the Cabeza Prieta wildlife refuge. The trail narrows and leads to the lumpy, rocky Pinacate lava flow, a dense black lava that runs south down into Mexico. Reduce your speed and drive slowly as lava can damage your ATV tires are higher speeds.
This is a truly intense area to ride your ATV and one you will never forget. Next time you're looking for the ride of rides, check out El Camino Del Diablo.
