What The Bike Bandit Says…
“The West Desert Trails trails of Green Valley, Are just 25 minutes south of Tucson and are really some of our best trails for beginners. The West Desert Trails trails are vast and very easy to navigate. Many of us refer to this trail system as the Fantasy Island of Green Valley. You will mountain bike in a sea of jumping jack cactus and beautiful Arizona Saguaros. This is a great trail system for kids or anyone looking for a fun, easy ride.”
Jason, The Bike Bandit
TUCSON, Arizona – Mountain Biking – The West Desert Trails are located on a 2000 acre area to the west of Green Valley. The property is now owned by the Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold and some of the property is used for groundwater extraction wells and related infrastructure. The trails traversing the area vary in length and difficulty and comprise power line roads, ranching roads, and single-track hiking and mountain biking trails. The trails provide great views of the Santa Rita Mountains and the valleys below. Most of the trails are level but a few rocky ups and downs will interest you. And you will get good practice on several tight sandy turns. The southern portion is particularly inviting to newer riders as it is mostly flat and includes interesting scenery. Take the time to explore the pristine area with your bike or on your feet. A unique feature of the area is the almost one hundred pineapple cacti that are resident.
Permits to access the area are required, are free, and need not be carried with you.
Directions to West Desert Mountain Bike Trail – Tucson, Arizona
Directions: From Tucson, head South on Interstate-19 toward Nogales for 20-miles or so. Take a right on Exit 69 for Duval Mine Road and go west past La Canada Road (traffic signal at intersection) for 1.8 miles.Open the gate on your left to the main trailhead.