El Camino del Diablo — Ajo to Yuma via Cabeza Prieta Desert Crossing
The Devil's Highway still collects its toll.
El Camino del Diablo — the Devil’s Highway — was killing people before the United States existed. Spanish missionaries and gold-seekers died here by the hundreds in the 1700s, and the crosses and rock cairns along the route are not decoration. The road runs roughly 130 miles from Ajo westward through the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range before dropping into Yuma. It crosses volcanic lava fields, dune systems, and open playa flats with zero services and near-zero shade. The Tule Well historical site is a legitimate waypoint — a tinaja used for centuries where you can see the scratched initials of travelers who made it this far and weren’t sure they’d make it further.
This is a serious desert expedition, not a weekend trail. Minimum two vehicles, minimum two spare tires per rig, and at least 10 gallons of water per person. Summer is genuinely deadly — 115°F air temp with no shade will kill an unprepared party faster than any mechanical failure. October through March is your window. A free permit is required from Cabeza Prieta NWR before entry — get it in advance. Military airspace coordination is required for the Goldwater Range section. Fuel in Ajo before departure; there is nothing until Yuma. Cell service: none.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 130 mi / 209.2 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2750 ft |
| Best season | October-March |
| Minimum vehicle | Expedition-prepared 4WD with recovery gear |
| 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 | fws.gov |
| 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 handle El Camino del Diablo?
Stock rigs will struggle here. You need a fully expedition-prepared 4WD with high clearance, aired-down tires, skid plates, and serious recovery gear — not a trail-ready rig, an expedition-ready one. Deep sand, embedded rock, and zero outside help mean a breakdown is a survival situation, not an inconvenience.
What time of year is El Camino del Diablo actually drivable?
October through March is the window — summer temps regularly hit 115°F+ and have killed people on this route. Even in spring, temperatures can climb fast enough to be dangerous if you're stranded.
What permits do you need to drive El Camino del Diablo?
You need two separate permits: a free Refuge Entry Permit from Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge (fws.gov/refuge/cabeza-prieta) and a Military Entry Permit for the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range. Both are required before you enter, and driving without them can result in fines or being escorted out by military personnel.
What's the hardest section of the route and what makes it dangerous?
The deep sand stretches between Tule Well and Tinajas Altas are where rigs get stuck and stay stuck. There's no cell service, no rescue infrastructure, and if you bury a vehicle solo, you're in serious trouble — this is why a two-vehicle minimum is strongly advised by experienced drivers who've run it.
How much water and fuel do you need to carry for the full crossing?
Plan for a minimum of 1.5 gallons of water per person per day — many experienced desert travelers carry more given the heat risk even in cooler months. For fuel, the route is roughly 130 miles of slow, low-gear desert driving with zero fuel sources between Ajo and Yuma, so carry enough for at least 200 miles of range to account for detours and sand.
Trail track
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