Riding the Mines Around Chloride
The old mining country around Chloride can look like a maze of tempting tracks, weathered workings, and narrow desert roads. The hard part is knowing which routes are open, what land they cross, and when a rough-looking spur leads somewhere unsafe. This guide explains how to plan a responsible ATV or UTV ride near Chloride, Arizona, without treating every visible track as an invitation.
Plan your ride around Chloride before leaving town
Understand the landscape and route network
Chloride sits northwest of Kingman in northwestern Arizona, near the Cerbat Mountains and a landscape shaped by historic mining. You may encounter broad desert roads, rocky mountain routes, washes, and narrower tracks that lead toward old mining areas. That variety can make a ride appealing, but it also makes route planning important: a track on the ground is not automatically a public route open to motorized travel.
Past mining activity left more than scenery. Some roads were made for work on particular claims or properties, and access can change as land boundaries, closures, or local conditions dictate. A worn track, an old sign, or tire marks from another vehicle don’t establish that you have permission to ride there today. Plan your trip around routes shown as open to motorized travel on a current map, and turn around when a posted closure or uncertain boundary interrupts your route.
For other regional rides with a mining-history angle, compare the setting with [Backway to Oatman and the Old Mining Roads] and [Hualapai Mountain Old Mining Routes]. They can help you think about the kinds of terrain and route questions found around northwestern Arizona, but don’t assume that access rules or trail conditions are the same from one area to another.
Check access, land boundaries, and machine requirements
Before you unload, identify the land jurisdictions your intended route crosses. Public land, state trust land, private property, and other managed areas can sit close together in Arizona. A route that appears continuous on a phone screen may cross a boundary where different access rules apply. In particular, don’t assume an OHV decal by itself grants permission to travel or stage anywhere; the applicable riding requirements and land-use permissions depend on where you are going.
Use an official travel-management map for the relevant land manager, and check for closures or restrictions before departure. A recreation app such as onX Offroad can be useful for reviewing mapped routes and land boundaries, but treat any digital map as a planning aid, not permission to ride. Save the route information you need before leaving town, since mobile coverage can be unreliable outside developed areas.
If your route may involve state trust land, review [Arizona Trails on State Trust Land] and the current permit rules before you go. For a broader overview of route maps, [Reading an Arizona Motor Vehicle Use Map] is a helpful companion. Verify that the map is current and that your machine meets the applicable registration, decal, equipment, and access requirements for the route.
| Planning question | What to check before you ride |
|---|---|
| Is the route open to motorized use? | Confirm it on a current map from the land manager and look for closure notices |
| Does the route cross different land types? | Review boundaries and any required permits or permissions |
| Can your machine fit the route? | Check width, ground clearance, turning space, and the terrain rating |
| Will you have navigation without cell service? | Save maps offline and carry a backup navigation method |
| Is the route appropriate for your group? | Match the surface, distance, and exposure to the least experienced rider |
Choose a route and machine that suit your group
Match the vehicle to the ground
A small ATV and a full-size side-by-side don’t approach a narrow, rocky route in quite the same way. An ATV may fit through tighter sections but asks the rider to manage balance and obstacles directly. A UTV can offer a more stable seating position and room for a passenger or gear, but its width and turning radius can make tight or eroded tracks difficult. Before committing to a route, check the machine’s width against any published trail restrictions and consider whether you can safely turn around if conditions worsen.
Look beyond the route name when judging difficulty. A road that is easy when dry may become deeply rutted or unstable after rain. Loose rock can make climbs and descents challenging, while a wash can hide soft sand, embedded rocks, or a sudden drop. If a section looks beyond your comfort level, stop somewhere safe and reassess rather than letting the group pressure you into continuing.
Be especially cautious of narrow spurs that appear to head toward a mine or prospect. Historic mining features are not riding obstacles or sightseeing structures to enter. They may be unstable, unmarked, or on land where access is restricted. Keep a safe distance from mine openings, shafts, and crumbling structures, and never ride into a tunnel or around a spoil pile just to get a closer look.
Build in a realistic turnaround plan
A good route plan includes a point where you’ll turn around if the road becomes rougher than expected, the route is unclear, or someone in the group is tiring. Agree on that decision before you start. It is much easier to make a calm call at a wide, safe pullout than after a machine is stuck on a steep or exposed section.
A navigation app such as onX Offroad can help you follow a planned track and notice when your group is drifting away from it. Still, use judgment on the ground. A mapped line may not show a fresh washout, a gate, a closure sign, or a route that is too tight for your UTV. Stop to check your position when something doesn’t match the plan, rather than continuing in the hope that the track reconnects farther ahead.
For more regional context, [Riding the Vampire Mine Route] and [Secret Pass Near Kingman] cover other mining-country rides. Treat each destination as its own trip: confirm route access, machine fit, and current conditions independently instead of transferring assumptions from one ride to another.
Ride safely in remote mining country
Prepare for heat, navigation gaps, and breakdowns
Remote riding can make small problems feel much bigger. A flat tire, overheated machine, or wrong turn is more demanding when the group is far from pavement. Carry water for the full outing, plus extra for delays; bring food, sun protection, a basic first-aid kit, and the tools and repair items that match your machine. Tell someone who isn’t on the ride where you plan to go and when you expect to check in.
Don’t count on a phone for every part of the trip. Download maps in advance, keep a charged backup power source, and consider a separate emergency communication device for routes where coverage is uncertain. Share the route with your group so one rider’s dead battery or broken screen doesn’t leave everyone navigating from memory. The practical advice in [Cell Service in the Arizona Backcountry] and [Heat Illness on a Summer Trail] can help you prepare for two common desert-trip headaches.
Weather matters even when the sky looks clear where you are. Rain farther away can affect washes and low crossings, while hot conditions can increase fatigue and dehydration. Check the forecast and local alerts, and avoid entering a wash when there is a chance of runoff. If conditions change, shorten the ride or head back while the route is still manageable.
Give historic sites and other visitors space
Mining remains can be compelling precisely because they’re old and fragile. Don’t remove artifacts, disturb structures, or climb on unstable workings. Stay on established, permitted routes, avoid creating bypasses around obstacles, and pack out everything you bring in. A shortcut around a muddy patch or a new line around a closed gate can widen damage and create a route that wasn’t authorized.
Ride slowly near Chloride and other developed areas. Watch for pedestrians, residents, other vehicles, livestock, and dust-sensitive properties. Keep noise down, yield appropriately, and leave room for oncoming traffic on narrow roads. If a route is signed closed, respect the closure rather than looking for a way around it.
A ride that includes historic scenery does not need to put anyone at risk to feel memorable. Stop at a safe, legal place, take in the landscape from a distance, and leave the old workings undisturbed.
Use a simple checklist before you head out
Confirm the route and permissions
A few checks the night before can prevent a frustrating start—or a ride that ends at a gate. Confirm the route is open for your machine, review the relevant land boundaries, and check for current closures. Make sure every rider understands the planned route and knows what the group will do if it becomes impassable.
If you’re visiting from out of state, don’t assume your home-state paperwork automatically meets Arizona requirements. Review [Arizona Rules for Visiting Riders] and [What Arizona Riders Need Before They Ride] to identify the items to check for your situation. If the route crosses state trust land, confirm the required permit separately. A decal, registration, or map app is not a substitute for permission to use a particular parcel or road.
Before loading, inspect tires, brakes, steering, lights, fuel, and essential fasteners. For a UTV, check seat belts and protective nets or doors as appropriate to the machine. For an ATV, confirm the controls work properly and that the rider is comfortable handling the expected terrain.
Keep the day flexible
Set a turnaround time as well as a turnaround point. That gives the group a clear reason to head back before daylight, water, or energy runs short. If you’re traveling with less experienced riders, plan around their pace rather than the most confident person’s idea of a fun challenge.
Use this quick checklist:
- Confirm the route is open and suitable for your vehicle.
- Review land boundaries, permits, and current restrictions.
- Save offline maps and share the trip plan with someone at home.
- Carry enough water, food, first aid, tools, and recovery gear for delays.
- Agree on a turnaround plan and stay on permitted routes.
- Keep away from mine openings, unstable structures, and posted closures.
A careful plan won’t make every track near Chloride predictable, but it gives you better options when the terrain or access differs from what you expected. Ride within your group’s ability, respect the historic landscape, and be willing to turn around when a route stops making sense.
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.
