Cinder Hills for Beginners
Cinder Hills can look like an easy place to ride until your tires hit deep, loose volcanic cinders and the familiar-looking tracks start branching in every direction. This beginner’s guide explains what the terrain is like, how to prepare your ATV or UTV, how to plan a manageable first ride, and what to check before heading north of Flagstaff.
What beginners should know about Cinder Hills
The cinders are the main challenge
Cinder Hills sits near Flagstaff, in a landscape shaped by volcanic activity. The loose, dark surface can feel very different from packed dirt or a maintained gravel road. In some spots, your tires may sink and push through soft material; in others, the ground may be firmer or mixed with rocks. Conditions can change over a short distance, so a route that looks smooth from a distance may still take more effort than expected.
For a first-time visitor, the most useful mindset is to treat the terrain as unfamiliar rather than assume it will ride like a desert two-track. Loose cinders can make steering feel less precise, especially if you turn sharply, accelerate hard, or brake suddenly. Smooth, steady inputs are easier to manage than abrupt ones. Give yourself room to slow down and leave extra space between machines so you are not riding in another vehicle’s dust or trying to stop on loose ground unexpectedly.
The surface can also be tiring. A short ride may feel more demanding than its distance suggests because you are concentrating on traction, bumps, and other riders. Start with a modest outing and see how the machine and everyone in your group handle the conditions before committing to a longer loop.
It is a riding area, not a single beginner trail
Cinder Hills is not best approached as one clearly defined route with a guaranteed difficulty level. The area includes a network of tracks and riding terrain, and the route you choose can affect the day considerably. That makes it important to orient yourself before you start moving and to avoid following tracks just because they look inviting.
For a clearer sense of the general area, review [Cinder Hills and Its 13,500 Acres] and [Cinder Hills Trail Mileage]. Those topics can help you understand the scale of the riding area, but a broad overview is not a substitute for checking current maps and land-management notices. Routes, closures, and access details can change, and not every visible track should be treated as an authorized motorized route.
Beginners often have a better time when they agree on a simple plan before unloading: where the group intends to ride, when it will turn around, and what to do if anyone gets separated. Set a pace that the least experienced rider can comfortably maintain. If one person is still learning how the machine responds in cinders, the whole group should ride accordingly rather than leaving them to catch up.
High elevation changes how the day feels
Flagstaff is much higher than Arizona’s low desert, and a ride near Cinder Hills can feel different from one near Phoenix or Lake Havasu. Visitors coming from lower elevations may notice that ordinary activity feels more tiring. Add sun, wind, dust, and a bumpy ride, and it can be easy to underestimate how quickly the group needs a rest.
Weather can also shift the character of a trip. Cooler conditions may make a ride more comfortable, while rain, snow, mud, or strong wind can change access and riding conditions. Do not assume that a route is ready simply because the weather at your home or hotel seems fine. Before leaving Flagstaff, check [Checking Arizona Trail Status Before You Drive] and use a current map to confirm that the route you intend to take is open and appropriate for your machine.
Plan a manageable first ride
Choose a route before unloading
A beginner-friendly plan starts with knowing where you are going, not with picking a direction once you reach the staging area. Study the access roads, identify the routes you intend to use, and decide where the group will stop or turn back. [Getting to Cinder Hills on FR 776] is a useful starting point for understanding the access approach. Follow current signs and map information once you are on the ground, rather than relying on an old description or a remembered turn.
A map app such as onX Offroad can help you review routes and stay oriented, particularly where tracks branch or look similar. Download the map information you need before leaving reliable cell service, and learn how to use it while you still have a connection. Treat any mapping app as a planning aid, not permission to ride every line it displays. Confirm that the route is open to motorized travel and that your machine is permitted there.
Keep the first outing flexible. For example, a family might plan to ride for a short period, stop to check how everyone is doing, and then decide whether to continue. That is usually a better approach than setting an ambitious distance goal before anyone knows how the loose terrain feels.
Make the machine and rider match the route
Before setting out, check that your ATV or UTV is in good working order. Pay attention to tires, brakes, throttle response, lights, fuel, and any safety equipment required for your machine and route. Make sure the vehicle is suitable for the terrain and that everyone knows where the essential controls are. A beginner should not have to learn unfamiliar controls while trying to manage a soft, uneven surface.
Route width matters, too. A full-size side-by-side may not be appropriate for every track or narrow section, and a route that looks passable on a phone screen may be uncomfortable or unsuitable for a particular machine. Check route information rather than assuming that every trail accommodates every vehicle. [Arizona Trail Difficulty Ratings] can help put route planning in perspective, though actual conditions and rider experience still matter.
If a section looks beyond the group’s ability, stop in a safe place and reassess rather than pressing ahead because others have passed through. Turning back is a sensible riding decision, not a failed outing. Beginners gain confidence by choosing challenges gradually, not by forcing a machine or rider through terrain that already feels out of control.
Prepare for navigation and a slower pace
Do not plan the day around uninterrupted phone coverage. Service can be unreliable once you are away from developed areas, and a phone battery can drain faster when used for navigation. Tell someone who is not riding where you expect to go and when you plan to return. Carry a charged phone, but have a backup navigation plan that does not depend entirely on a signal.
onX Offroad may help you keep track of your planned route and location, but save the relevant map area ahead of time and know how to interpret it. A route line is not a guarantee that the ground is passable, open, or suitable for your machine. Use signs, land-management information, and your own judgment together.
Allow more time than a mileage estimate might suggest. Beginners may stop to check the map, let dust settle, adjust spacing, or take a break. That is normal. A relaxed schedule gives the group room to make good decisions instead of rushing to finish a loop before dark.
Ride safely on loose volcanic terrain
Use smooth control and generous spacing
On loose cinders, sudden braking or sharp steering can unsettle a machine. Keep your speed appropriate to what you can see and control, and make inputs gradually. Avoid tailgating: dust can hide rocks, dips, other riders, or a change in direction. A useful group habit is to wait until the rider ahead has moved through a section and the dust has cleared enough to see before following.
If you are new to an ATV or UTV, spend time getting comfortable with its controls in a safe, open area before attempting more complicated terrain. Practice starting, stopping, and turning gently. Riders in a side-by-side should also use the vehicle’s safety equipment as intended and keep hands, arms, and legs inside the machine. Never assume that a familiar road-riding habit will translate neatly to loose off-road ground.
If the machine begins to feel difficult to control, ease off and find a safe place to stop. Do not try to correct every slide with a sudden movement. The goal is to keep the ride calm and predictable. A patient rider often has an easier time than one who tries to power through every soft patch.
Carry essentials and manage fatigue
Bring more water than you think you will need, along with sun protection, snacks, and basic first-aid supplies. Conditions near Flagstaff can be cooler than the low desert, but sun and exertion still add up. [Water Planning for an Arizona Trail Day] offers a useful framework for thinking through hydration before you leave. Plan breaks instead of waiting until someone feels unwell or unusually tired.
A basic recovery and repair plan matters even on a short ride. Know what you will do for a flat tire, a stalled machine, or a minor issue that prevents someone from continuing. Carry only equipment you know how to use, and keep it secured so it does not become a hazard. If you are traveling with a group, confirm that at least one person knows how to contact help and can explain the group’s location.
Fatigue can make navigation and riding judgment worse. If the group is getting tired, confused, or uncomfortable, shorten the outing and return by the route you understand. It is easier to change plans while everyone is still alert than after the group has pushed on too long.
Respect boundaries and other people using the area
Stay on routes open to motorized use and avoid cutting new tracks. An unmarked line across the cinders may look like a convenient shortcut, but visible tire marks do not establish that riding there is allowed. Use current land-management information and posted signs to guide your route. [Reading an Arizona Motor Vehicle Use Map] explains why map details matter when planning to ride on public land.
Share the area carefully. Slow down near other riders, give people space, and avoid stirring up unnecessary dust around staging areas. Keep noise in mind, especially near developed areas and homes. Pack out everything you bring, including food wrappers and damaged parts.
Before you go, review [Arizona Trailhead Parking and Staging] so you have a plan for where to park, unload, and secure your trailer. Do not block access points or assume that an open patch of ground is an approved staging spot. Starting and ending the day considerately helps keep the area usable for other visitors.
A practical first-visit checklist
Before you leave Flagstaff
Use this checklist to turn a vague idea into a safer plan:
| Before the ride | What to check |
|---|---|
| Route | Choose an authorized route suitable for your machine and experience |
| Conditions | Check current access notices, closures, and weather |
| Navigation | Save maps for offline use and agree on a meeting point |
| Machine | Inspect tires, brakes, lights, fuel, and basic controls |
| Group plan | Set a comfortable pace, turnaround point, and return time |
| Supplies | Carry water, sun protection, snacks, and basic first aid |
| Communication | Tell someone your plan and when you expect to return |
If the group is traveling from out of town, make the final check close to departure. Conditions and access can change, and a route description saved months earlier may not reflect what you find on the day. Check official land-manager information and follow signs at the site.
Pack for the ride you are actually planning, not the ideal conditions you hope to find. That means taking enough water and layers for a changing day, charging navigation devices, and making sure everyone understands the plan. If anyone is unsure how to operate their machine, practice in a safe area before setting off into the riding network.
During the ride
Start conservatively and pause after the first section to see how everyone is doing. Is the machine handling the cinders as expected? Is the pace comfortable? Can the group navigate without confusion? A short check-in can catch small problems before they become a stressful situation farther from the staging area.
If you need to stop, move fully out of the path of other riders where it is safe to do so. Keep track of the group and use a clear procedure if someone falls behind: stop at an agreed, safe location rather than having several riders scatter to search. If you become uncertain about your route, return to a known point instead of improvising through unfamiliar terrain.
A good first visit does not have to cover a large area. It is a success if everyone returns safely, understands the terrain better, and wants to ride again. Once you have experience with the cinders and the layout, you can make a more informed plan for a longer trip.
Cinder Hills can be an enjoyable introduction to northern Arizona riding when you treat the terrain, navigation, and changing conditions with respect. Plan a simple route, ride within your comfort level, and leave yourself time to turn around. The less pressure you put on the first outing, the easier it is to learn what works for you and your machine.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
