El Camino del Diablo — Ajo to Yuma via the Sonoran Desert Borderlands Track
The Devil's Highway still collects its toll.
El Camino del Diablo — the Devil’s Highway — has been killing the unprepared for over 400 years. Spanish padres blazed this route in the 1500s, and the desert has not softened since. Running east to west through Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, the route passes the Pinacate lava fields, tinajas (natural rock water catchments), and the grave markers of those who didn’t make it. Highlights include Tinajas Altas — a critical historic water source — and the volcanic landscape of the Pinacate, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Mexican side of the wire. The track is mostly dirt two-track on hardpan and sand, but summer heat (regularly above 110°F) turns it lethal fast.
This is serious desert overlanding — not a weekend shakedown. Permits are required from both Cabeza Prieta NWR and the Goldwater Range; get both in advance. Minimum vehicle standard is a stock high-clearance 4WD with a full spare and 20+ gallons of extra water — the refuge mandates a specific minimum water carry. Best season is November through March only; summer travel is explicitly discouraged by land managers and should be read as ‘do not.’ Cell service is essentially nonexistent. File a detailed trip plan with a reliable contact before you roll. This is one of the great desert routes in North America, and it demands that respect.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 130 mi / 209 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | November-March |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance 4WD with mandatory water carry |
| Nearest town | Ajo, AZ |
| Land manager | Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge / Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Cabeza Prieta NWR permit info Goldwater Range access permit |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run El Camino del Diablo without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can make it, but airing down to 18-20 PSI is non-negotiable on the sand sections. Skid plates are strongly advised — the volcanic rock fields around Pinacate will punish anything exposed underneath. A lift helps but isn't the deciding factor; tire choice and driver experience matter more out here.
What months is El Camino del Diablo actually safe to drive?
November through March is the window. Summer temps routinely hit 115°F+ and people have died out there — this isn't hyperbole, it's the trail's history. Spring can work on the edges of that window but watch the forecast hard; heat kills faster than any obstacle on this route.
What permits do I need and how far in advance do I have to get them?
You need two separate permits: a Cabeza Prieta NWR permit (free, includes a military hold-harmless agreement) and a Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range permit. Both are required before you enter — no exceptions. Get them well in advance; the Goldwater permit in particular can take time to process and isn't issued at the gate.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The Tule Well to Papago Well stretch is where it gets serious — deep sand, no shade, zero margin for a breakdown. The volcanic terrain near the Pinacate lava fields will test your lines and your undercarriage. There's no recovery vehicle coming; if you go in alone and get stuck, that's a survival situation, not an inconvenience.
How much water do I need to carry and are there any reliable sources on the route?
There are no reliable water sources on El Camino del Diablo — carry a minimum of 5 gallons per person for the full route, more in any weather above 80°F. The standard advice from Cabeza Prieta staff is to carry more than you think you need and then add more. Tule Well has historically held water but it's not guaranteed and should never be your plan A.
Trail track
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