Sawmill Road to Sunflower Mountain — Tonto National Forest Mazatzal Divide via Reno Pass
Phoenix's backyard wilderness — if your rig is ready.
FR 22 and the roads threading up into the Mazatzal Mountains from Sunflower, Arizona are the kind of routes that separate trucks from toys. Leaving the Beeline Highway (AZ-87) behind at Sunflower, this route climbs into the Mazatzal Wilderness edge via Reno Creek drainage toward the Mazatzal Divide, passing through dense chaparral, rocky creek crossings, and open ridgelines that look south toward the Phoenix Basin and north into the pine country above Payson. The Mazatzal Mountains are one of Arizona’s least-visited wilderness areas — jagged, dry, and legitimately remote despite sitting within a two-hour drive of Phoenix. Reno Pass at around 4,800 feet is a legitimate objective. The road gets rough, rutted, and narrow fast above the creek bottom.
High-clearance 4WD is mandatory — this is not a stock SUV trail. Skid plates and solid tires are strongly recommended on the upper sections, and some years winter rain leaves deep ruts that demand lockers. Tonto National Forest manages the area; no permit needed for day use or dispersed camping outside designated wilderness boundaries. Best season is October through April — summer heat below 5,000 feet is brutal, and monsoon season (July-September) makes the creek crossings genuinely dangerous. Fuel up in Payson or Phoenix before you run this — Sunflower itself has nothing. What you get is raw Arizona mountain country that feels a hundred miles from anywhere.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4850 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD high-clearance with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Payson, AZ |
| Land manager | Tonto National Forest — Mesa Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Tonto National Forest Recreation Area Tonto National Forest |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
Stock is not enough here. You need a modified 4WD with a lift, high clearance, and skid plates — the rocky climbs toward Reno Pass will drag and damage an unmodified undercarriage. Lockers are a serious advantage on the technical sections.
When is this trail passable and what kills access fastest?
October through April is the window. Summer monsoons turn the dirt sections into deep mud and spike the creek crossings to impassable levels fast. Snow can also close upper elevations near the 4,850-ft max in January and February — call the Mesa Ranger District before you go.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to run this trail?
No permit required and no fee to drive the trail itself through Tonto National Forest. If you're camping, dispersed camping is free but you must follow Tonto NF fire restrictions — check current fire ban status before you leave, especially spring and fall when conditions flip fast.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The climb through the Mazatzal Divide approaching Reno Pass is where rigs get tested — loose rock shelves, off-camber sidehills, and ledge drops that require precise line choice. At 28 miles with 2,600 feet of gain on mixed rock and dirt, plan for this taking a full day even if it looks short on paper.
Are the water crossings actually deep, and is there any gas or cell service out there?
The crossings vary by season — after monsoons or winter rain they can be axle-deep and sketchy; in dry spring conditions they're typically manageable but still require a walk before you drive. There is zero cell service on this trail, and you should fuel up in Payson before heading out — the trailhead is roughly 30 miles from town with nothing in between.
Trail track
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