The best traffic-free bike rides in Santa Cruz County

Just past the ghost town of Harshaw, is the somewhat controversial Hermosa Mine Project. Although you are in a very rural part of the state, due to the mining operations here please be aware and cautious of mining trucks and other large vehicles and heavy machinery pulling in and out of here. Please be courteous and give way to these trucks on these narrow roads through the high desert and mountains.

Duquesne Road is a long, remote dirt and gravel road near the US-Mexico Border in way southern Arizona. This particular section of rural road passes through the San Rafael Natural Area and very, very close to the border. Although it is generally safe, be prepared to encounter Border Patrol and it is advisable to not be riding this road after dark.

Canelo Pass Road is a dirt road that takes from the ghost town of Canelo to the San Rafael Valley Road, an iconic gravel road through the open valley. This gravel road can be a bit rough at spots, but is generally well-maintained and well-graded. If completing on a road bike, make sure it can take wider tires; 35mm would be the minimum, 40mm+ would be more comfortable, and tubeless is a must. There are sharp rocks, the occasional cactus spike, and it's quite remote...

Canelo, AZ, is a small, ghost town in eastern Santa Cruz County. Nestled in the scenic Canelo Hills, the area is known for its beautiful landscapes and mountainous environment. The region is characterized by rolling grasslands, oak woodlands, and an abundance of wildlife, making it a prime spot for outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, and horseback riding. Canelo's proximity to the Coronado National Forest provides additional opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore. Canelo holds historical significance with remnants of early homesteads, and remnants of ranching and mining activities, with several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places including a one-room schoolhouse and a United States Forest Service ranger station.

Harshaw, a ghost town in Santa Cruz County, southeastern Arizona, was settled in the 1870s as a mining community. Named after prospector David Tecumseh Harshaw, it thrived in the late 19th century, with the Hermosa mine producing $365,455 in bullion over four months in 1880. The town's fortunes fluctuated with silver prices, leading to cycles of growth and decline. By the 1960s, the mines closed permanently, and Harshaw was incorporated into the Coronado National Forest in 1953 and became a ghost town. Today, remnants include a few houses, building foundations, two small cemeteries, and decaying mine shafts, with most buildings demolished by locals or the Forest Service in the 1970s. Although there are no facilities here, it is still a somewhat popular destination for cyclists (Harshaw Road, which turns from pavement to gravel a bit north of here, is a main artery for many of the popular gravel rides in the area), hikers, and birdwatchers. In fact, Santa Cruz County is one of the premiere birdwatching destinations in the country in large part because it sits in the migratory path for many rare birds as they travel between the US and Mexico.

Apache Road is an amazing gravel road south of Patagonia and the ghost town Harshaw, AZ. This road is often a part of the Spirit World 100 course, a popular, challenging gravel race based out of Patagonia. Although this road is non-technical and generally well-graded, there can be some rough spots and due to the fact that it's quite far from any town, preparedness and self-reliance is a must. Although a dedicated gravel bike will make this road more comfortable, it is doable on a road bike with at least 35mm, if not 40mm+, tires. Tubeless tires is also highly recommended; its nice to be able to ride with lower tire pressures and there are sharp rocks, the occasional cactus spike, and this road is fairly remote, making it a less than ideal place to be having lots of mechanicals!

Harshaw Creek Road is one of the numerous, excellent gravel roads that is quickly transforming the small town of Patagonia, AZ, into a premiere gravel destination. This road takes you through a narrow, steep-walled valley with a season creek that feeds cottonwoods, willows, sycamores, and other plants. Although many of the gravel roads here can be quite rugged, this particular road is relatively tame. This wide, well-graded, smooth gravel road is usually in good condition, with no large rocks or overly loose stuff. It is a gravel road, however, and there are washboarded sections though so a dedicated gravel bike or a road bike that can take wider tires (~30mm+) is recommended.

Patagonia is a sweet little Arizona Trail access town. It's a mix of miners, ranchers, folks living off the land, birders and cyclists.