Chain of Lakes Loop route

Although most of this route is well traveled, be prepared for backcountry conditions.

This loop is best ridden in a CW direction. Start/Finish is a small parking pullout on First Water rd just north of the Lost Dutchman State Park.

This ride can be done as a really long one day adventure or an overnight bikepack, camping at Middle Water spring (one mile down the north side of Four Peaks on El Oso rd)

There's only about 10 miles of singletrack on this route, 65 miles on dirt road & 35 on pavement. This ride is also best done on a weekday to avoid tourist traffic and dust on the dirt roads.

This ride starts in the beautiful Goldfield Mtns on primitive singletrack and jeep roads. Pavement takes you over to Saguaro Lake at Butcher Jones recreation area. A series of sandy, but rideable OHV roads link up to Four Peaks rd. This is a well traveled and somewhat maintained dirt road with some steep bits. El Oso rd is a graded dirt road that will drop down into the Tonto Basin. Seven miles of fast pavement bring you to FR429 where the climbing resumes up to Mills Ridge and the Arizona Trail. Singletrack returns for 5 miles on great ridgeline riding followed by some hike-a-bike. The payoff is panoramic views of Apache Lake, then Roosevelt Lake & Dam. The trail descends steeply to AZ188 where it crosses the Roosevelt Bridge. From here it's all AZ88, Apache Trail, back to your vehicle. The first 20 miles or so are on undulating dirt roads, then pavement leading into Tortilla Flat and finally Canyon Lake.

Bring lights, front & rear. Bring a water filter. If you're lucky enough to pass by the Roosevelt Lake Marina & Tortilla Flat during business hours food can be purchased. Otherwise carry enough to get you through.