Friday, April 24 8:00 am – Sunday, April 26 ~4:00 pm

Trip Description: 

We’re going to drive through an old trade route known as El Camino Del Diablo due to its remoteness and lack of support and services; this is known unofficially as the longest unsupported backcountry drive in the nation. Our plan for this trip is to drive it East to West – from the mining town of Ajo in Arizona all the way to Yuma, crossing Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Cabesa Prieta Wilderness, and Barry Goldwater Bombing Range.

Difficulty rating: 3 out of 5, mostly due to remoteness of the area. Rainstorms shortly before the trip may affect the itinerary and our progress: the area known as Playas will turn from dry tracks to deep mud. In absence of rains, expect a mix of sand (deep in places), rocky surface, and well-graded dirt roads. 

Group limit: none, but preferred under 8-10 vehicles.

Itinerary:

Day 1 (04/24/26, Friday):
Meet at Buckman Springs Rest area: 8:00-8:30
Buckman Springs Rest Area – Ajo (fuel) – Campsite Near John The Baptist Mountains: 293 miles, 5 hrs (30 on dirt)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/is1mGQnFySepiVLV8
Fuel stops: Yuma if needed, Ajo
Camping about 30 miles from Ajo near John The Baptist Mountains.

Day 2 (04/25/26, Saturday):
John The Baptist Mountains – Growler Pass – Poso Nuevo – Tule Mountains – Playas – Tinajas Altas – Campsite 1: 105 miles (all on dirt)
That’s going to be a long day, even if there are no breakdowns and no mud near the Playas.
We’ll pass through Organ Pipe Cactus National Wilderness and Cabesa Prieta Wilderness.
If we make a good progress, we’ll explore Tinajas Altas on foot, and camp after Tinajas Altas Pass on the desert floor. 

Otherwise, camp near Tinajas Altas and leave the pass and border wall visit for the next day.

Day 3 (04/26/26, Sunday):
Tinajas Altas Pass – Yuma: 31.5 miles (dirt); stop by Yodaville Overlook (binoculars are nice) and Fortuna Mine.
Yuma (Fortuna Hills, fuel) to Buckman Springs Rest Area – 140 miles, 2:08
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tyTmfQ2jRAA45XMy6
Fuel up in Yuma, and we should be good to go all the way to San Diego.

Permits:

Every person over 18 years old must have a permit from https://bmgr.recaccess.com/

Permit is free, and valid for a year – it is an improvement from older permitting at Luke AFB. It covers Cabesa Prieta as well as Barry Goldwater Bombing Range.

Everybody must check in at the same link prior to the trip – this is a safety/border control issue.

What to bring and other suggestions: 

Fuel, water, and food for two full days

Camping gear 

Cold weather gear (it may get cold at night even in late April)

Hot weather gear (it will get hot during the day)

Consider the vehicle maintenance prior to the trip

Pets are absolutely welcome, and the planned campsites are mostly free of cholla – but beware old cholla and rattlesnakes.

Navigation: GPS and/or smartphone/tablet witt GaiaGPS or OnX 4×4 mapping software.

Communications: ham VHF 147.58MHz simplex (strongly encouraged), GMRS (backup). 

Binoculars and nighttime photo equipment encouraged.

Proof of citizenship or naturalization documents – this is an area with a very heavy Border Patrol presence.

INFO and links:

Cabesa Prieta: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/cabeza-prieta/visit-us/rules-policies

https://cabezaprieta.org/destinations/el_camino_del_diablo.php
https://azstateparks.com/historic-trails-of-arizona-el-camino-del-diablo
https://npshistory.com/publications/blm/el-camino-del-diablo/visitors-guide-2016.pdf
https://occidentalist.org/el-camino-del-diablo/
… and, of course, our own trip diaries:
https://3rj.org/ElCaminoDelDiablo/index.htm
https://3rj.org/Arizona.B3/index.htmRating: Easy, with moderate sections we will take slowly. 

Time & Place to Meet:

• Meet: Friday, March 28, 8:30 am, Depart: 9:00 am
• Where: Buckman Springs Rest Area off Interstate 8. Please arrive fueled up.
• RSVP/Register: Sign up below
• Trail Leader: Peter Matusov