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Cinders OHV volcanic hills with the San Francisco Peaks in the distance
Volcanic cinder hills OHV tracks on soft cinders Dispersed camp on firm pad Sunset over cinder hills Staging area and rigs
OHV Dispersed Volcanic High Clearance Coconino NF
Overview

Black-and-red cinder hills northeast of Flagstaff - soft footing, steep play slopes, and a wide-open motorized playground.

Cinders is not quiet forest camping. It is throttle, dust, steep loose climbs, and a whole lot of room to mess around. The volcanic surface rides like powder - when it is dry your tires dig, when it is wet it turns into something closer to glue.

Camping is primitive and exposed. Flat pads exist, but this place is really about the terrain and the feeling of being out on a huge black playground with the Peaks off in the distance.

Why go
Unique terrain, easy access off US-89, huge views, and a fast Flagstaff-area escape.
Watch out for
Dust, noise, soft steep climbs, and ugly conditions after rain.

Pick a camp spot off the main play lines and point your setup downwind if you want dinner without a layer of cinders in it.

At a Glance
Region
Northeast of Flagstaff - near Sunset Crater
Elevation
~6,700–7,000 ft
Access road
US-89, then graded cinder roads
Best season
Late spring through fall - watch monsoon weather
Campsites
Primitive pads and staging pull-outs
Services
None - bring water and pack everything out
Fires
Only when restrictions allow
Cell
Usually fair near US-89, worse deeper in
Coordinates (area)
35.3600° N, 111.5100° W
Getting There

From Flagstaff, take US-89 north and watch for signed turns into the Cinders OHV area. The main access is straightforward, then it opens up into a web of cinder roads, pull-outs, and staging zones.

  1. Air down before you get ambitious. The soft stuff drives way better with more footprint.
  2. Stick to established routes and test firmness before committing a heavy rig.
  3. Camp away from the obvious hill-climb areas unless you want noise and dust all evening.

If rain is in the forecast, give yourself an easy exit. Wet cinders can get bad fast.

Before You Go
Essential Links
Reminders
  • Bring all your own water and trash capacity.
  • Air compressor and tire plug kit are worth having here.
  • Dust protection helps more than you think once the wind picks up.
  • Respect signed closures and stay on durable routes.
  • Quiet hours still matter, even in an OHV area.
Camping Info
  • Primitive: no tables, water, or restrooms.
  • Surface: volcanic cinders - great for riding, annoying for tents and gear.
  • Fires: only when allowed - use existing rings and cold-out completely.
  • Wind and dust: stake everything and assume your gear will get dirty.
  • Traffic: more noise and movement near main climbs and staging areas.
  • Leave No Trace: use established pull-outs and routes instead of making new scars.
My Notes

Cinders is fun, but it is not subtle. This is one of those places where you go because the terrain is weird and good, not because the camping itself is comfortable. I like it best early and late, when the light gets better and the dust settles down a little.

  • Setup: I want a firmer pad with some separation from the main hill traffic.
  • Riding: Smooth momentum matters more than raw throttle on the steeper stuff.
  • Photos: sunset silhouettes and the contrast between black cinders and the Peaks are the whole deal here.
  • Reality: this place gets into everything. Tarp, bins, and a little discipline help.
Gear I Used

Gear that actually helped on this trip.

Map
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