utv offroad adventures
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Southern AZ Peace Trail – November 14–16, 2025
Story and photos by Kim Krause
UTV Offroad Adventures hosted another unforgettable three-day journey on the Southern Arizona Peace Trail. It was an adventure in every sense—breakdowns, challenges, weather, and plenty of surprises—but the strong leadership and experienced trail team made all the difference. Their guidance, support, and ability to keep the group moving ensured that even the toughest moments became part of a great adventure for everyone. With hotels included, meals arranged, and a great mix of 21 side-by-sides, the experience was as smooth as a rugged off-road expedition can be.
For those new to it, the Arizona Peace Trail is a roughly 675-mile off-highway loop connecting communities across western Arizona. It weaves through deserts, mountains, wildlife refuges, and historic sites. Our route focused specifically on the Southern AZ Peace Trail, giving participants a chance to experience some of the most scenic, historic, and remote terrain the state has to offer.
Story and photos by Kim Krause
UTV Offroad Adventures hosted another unforgettable three-day journey on the Southern Arizona Peace Trail. It was an adventure in every sense—breakdowns, challenges, weather, and plenty of surprises—but the strong leadership and experienced trail team made all the difference. Their guidance, support, and ability to keep the group moving ensured that even the toughest moments became part of a great adventure for everyone. With hotels included, meals arranged, and a great mix of 21 side-by-sides, the experience was as smooth as a rugged off-road expedition can be.
For those new to it, the Arizona Peace Trail is a roughly 675-mile off-highway loop connecting communities across western Arizona. It weaves through deserts, mountains, wildlife refuges, and historic sites. Our route focused specifically on the Southern AZ Peace Trail, giving participants a chance to experience some of the most scenic, historic, and remote terrain the state has to offer.
Thursday – Check-In at Cactus Bar, Salome
Participants checked in at Cactus Bar in Salome, Arizona, where everyone gathered for dinner and a drivers’ meeting before the start of the journey. Spirits were high as the group prepared for three days of riding the southern leg of the Peace Trail.
Participants checked in at Cactus Bar in Salome, Arizona, where everyone gathered for dinner and a drivers’ meeting before the start of the journey. Spirits were high as the group prepared for three days of riding the southern leg of the Peace Trail.
Friday – Day 1 on the Southern Peace Trail
The group took off Friday morning under clear skies and 72-degree temperatures. Breakfast burritos and coffee were served by Gabe before the 21 machines rolled out into a vibrant desert where the cactus gleamed in the morning sun.
The day offered a mix of rocky sections, sandy washes, open desert, and unique points of interest along the way, including the Chinese Cemetery and Royal Arch. After a gas stop in Dateland, the route continued through miles of rich farmland before the group arrived in Wellton, AZ.
Everyone checked into the Microtel, cleaned up, and enjoyed a group dinner at High Tanks Brewery, where two special awards were given:
• Oldest Rider: Age 85
• Farthest Traveled: Four participants from Michigan
The group took off Friday morning under clear skies and 72-degree temperatures. Breakfast burritos and coffee were served by Gabe before the 21 machines rolled out into a vibrant desert where the cactus gleamed in the morning sun.
The day offered a mix of rocky sections, sandy washes, open desert, and unique points of interest along the way, including the Chinese Cemetery and Royal Arch. After a gas stop in Dateland, the route continued through miles of rich farmland before the group arrived in Wellton, AZ.
Everyone checked into the Microtel, cleaned up, and enjoyed a group dinner at High Tanks Brewery, where two special awards were given:
• Oldest Rider: Age 85
• Farthest Traveled: Four participants from Michigan
Saturday – Day 2: Mountains, Storms, and Big Smiles
After breakfast at the hotel, the group hit the trail at 7 a.m. under crisp, cloudy 65-degree weather. The ride opened with miles of farmland before transitioning into canal roads, stretches along the railroad tracks, and scattered scenes of old trailers, vehicles, a weathered boat, and even an abandoned bus.
The trail climbed into the Laguna Hills for a twisty mountain ridge descent that delivered everyone to Fishers Landing at Martinez Lake for gas and a pit stop. From there, the weather shifted dramatically—afternoon storms brought heavy rain, washing away the dust and adding excitement to the rest of the ride.
Throughout the day, leaders did an excellent job keeping the group organized, tackling challenges, and ensuring no one was left behind.
The route continued through:
• Yuma Proving Ground
• Red Cloud Mine
• Trigo Mountain Wilderness
• Historical gravesites
• Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
• The Colorado River, dividing Arizona and California
• An old cabin
• The town of Ehrenberg and Quartzsite
And then came the Good, Bad & Ugly Trail—a stretch that lived up to its name. This rugged section delivered a little bit of everything: tight technical lines, sudden dips, pockets of deep mud, and long water crossings created by the afternoon storms. The trail twisted through rough terrain that demanded skill and focus, but it also rewarded riders with dramatic desert scenery and the kind of memories that become instant campfire stories. It was pure off-road fun—challenging, unpredictable, and unforgettable.
That evening, everyone gathered at Silly Al’s in Quartzsite for dinner, awards, and laughs before heading back to the hotel to rest up for the final leg.
Saturday Night Awards at Silly Al’s:
• Poker Winner: Joshua McConnell
• Dumb Ass Award: Tipsy — for tipping her car on the trail and taking the honor in stride
After breakfast at the hotel, the group hit the trail at 7 a.m. under crisp, cloudy 65-degree weather. The ride opened with miles of farmland before transitioning into canal roads, stretches along the railroad tracks, and scattered scenes of old trailers, vehicles, a weathered boat, and even an abandoned bus.
The trail climbed into the Laguna Hills for a twisty mountain ridge descent that delivered everyone to Fishers Landing at Martinez Lake for gas and a pit stop. From there, the weather shifted dramatically—afternoon storms brought heavy rain, washing away the dust and adding excitement to the rest of the ride.
Throughout the day, leaders did an excellent job keeping the group organized, tackling challenges, and ensuring no one was left behind.
The route continued through:
• Yuma Proving Ground
• Red Cloud Mine
• Trigo Mountain Wilderness
• Historical gravesites
• Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
• The Colorado River, dividing Arizona and California
• An old cabin
• The town of Ehrenberg and Quartzsite
And then came the Good, Bad & Ugly Trail—a stretch that lived up to its name. This rugged section delivered a little bit of everything: tight technical lines, sudden dips, pockets of deep mud, and long water crossings created by the afternoon storms. The trail twisted through rough terrain that demanded skill and focus, but it also rewarded riders with dramatic desert scenery and the kind of memories that become instant campfire stories. It was pure off-road fun—challenging, unpredictable, and unforgettable.
That evening, everyone gathered at Silly Al’s in Quartzsite for dinner, awards, and laughs before heading back to the hotel to rest up for the final leg.
Saturday Night Awards at Silly Al’s:
• Poker Winner: Joshua McConnell
• Dumb Ass Award: Tipsy — for tipping her car on the trail and taking the honor in stride
Sunday – Day 3: Notable Areas & a Clean Finish
Sunday delivered pristine trail conditions thanks to the previous day’s rain—no dust and cool 63-degree temperatures. The day began with breakfast at Snowbird Café in Quartzsite before the group continued along the final stretch of the Southern Peace Trail back to Salome.
Notable areas included:
• The General Patton rock formation
• Passing through Bouse and the large “B” on the mountain
• Canal routes
• Military tanks near Bouse
• Camp Bouse, the historic WWII tank training site
• A section of the Parker 400 race course
• Expansive fields of cholla cactus
By the end of the journey, the group had logged 375 miles across some of the most beautiful and historically rich terrain in southern Arizona.
For upcoming adventures, visit utvoffroadadventures.com
Sunday delivered pristine trail conditions thanks to the previous day’s rain—no dust and cool 63-degree temperatures. The day began with breakfast at Snowbird Café in Quartzsite before the group continued along the final stretch of the Southern Peace Trail back to Salome.
Notable areas included:
• The General Patton rock formation
• Passing through Bouse and the large “B” on the mountain
• Canal routes
• Military tanks near Bouse
• Camp Bouse, the historic WWII tank training site
• A section of the Parker 400 race course
• Expansive fields of cholla cactus
By the end of the journey, the group had logged 375 miles across some of the most beautiful and historically rich terrain in southern Arizona.
For upcoming adventures, visit utvoffroadadventures.com
