ATV’s and State Trust Lands

Officer Tim Mitten
Community Action Officer
Black Mountain Precinct
Phoenix Police Department
Being an Arizona native (yes, there are some of us out there), I was raised in and enjoy the openness of the lands of our wonderful state. Even though I grew up in the city, I had many opportunities to go out and enjoy the many recreational activities of the Arizona desert. The City of Phoenix has integrated the responsible preservation and use of these lands in many mountain preserves, hiking trails, city parks, and master planned communities. The City of Phoenix Parks Department is responsible for managing the hiking trails and parks owned and operated by the City of Phoenix.
The trails and parks owned and operated by the City of Phoenix are separate from State Trust Land and have different rules. Hiking trails in the City of Phoenix are for pedestrians, bicycles, and horses. There are no motorized vehicles allowed on any trails in city parks, and dogs are required to be on a leash. Users are also required to stay on the trails and not go off into the open areas around the trails. Most trails and parks have the specific uses posted at the entrances or in the parking lots if there is one. Please review them prior to using the trail system. It is also imperative to observe some basic safety rules like always tell someone where you went hiking, bring plenty of water, a cell phone, wear appropriate clothes, hats, sunblock, and shoes for hiking, and know your limitations. For more information on using the City of Phoenix Parks, go to www.phoenix.gov/parks.
Many master planned communities or neighborhoods have a trail system through their neighborhoods that are privately owned. Most have similar rules as to the hiking trails and do not allow motorized vehicles of any kind on them, so a rider of a motorized vehicle on a private trail could be cited for trespassing, even if they are a resident of that community. ATV and other off-road vehicle riders need to be aware of the laws that govern their use to avoid any criminal charges. There are many open areas that these riders can go to so they can fully enjoy the ATV. For more information on places to ride, go to www.azstateparks.com/ohv.
Many of the open land in and surrounding the City of Phoenix is State Trust Land managed by the State of Arizona State Land Department. It is essential to know that Arizona Trust Land is NOT public land. A recreational permit is required to be on State Trust land designated as open for recreation, but NOT all State Trust land is open for recreational purposes. The recreational permit allows you to hike, bike, horseback ride, bicycle, photography, bird watching, sightseeing, and camping (up to 14 days per year). It DOES NOT allow you to target shoot, paintball, airsoft, recreational flying (ultralights), fireworks, sand railing, or off-road driving using dirt bikes or ATV’s.
There are also City of Phoenix City Codes that prohibit any motorized vehicles from being put on a dirt surface. The citations for violating this city code and operating a vehicle on a dirt surface can be hefty. Both officers from the Phoenix Police Department and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s office will take enforcement action on vehicles found in State Trust Land or any open desert area. The use of vehicles on dirt causes pollution, and the County is monitored for dirt pollution. The Federal government does have highway funds, which could potentially be reduced if dust pollution is not controlled. There are many historical, cultural, or prehistoric ruins and archaeological sites in our State Trust lands that are not to be disturbed as well as removing rocks, cacti, saguaro or cholla skeletons, plants, or firewood. For more information on obtaining a permit or the use of State Trust lands, go to www.land.state.az.us.
Proper use of our beautiful open spaces, desert environment, and resources is every Arizonian’s responsibility. We should all be able to enjoy the land, private property trails, and parks together, without disturbance by those who wish to be irresponsible, act in a criminal manner, and destroy our land or property. The west is this country’s last bastion of openness in the lower 48, and it is our responsibility to protect and preserve it as best as possible while allowing all citizens access to use it. I encourage everyone to remind themselves, their children, and others of the proper use of trails, private property, and open land. If anything of a criminal or suspicious nature is observed, please call the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151 or 911 in an emergency. I can be reached at 602-495-5238 or tim.mitten@phoenix.gov for questions regarding this or any other issue. Thank you.