Story and photos by Kim Krause
Seventy side-by-sides gathered in Bellemont, Arizona, for two days of high-elevation riding through pine forests, volcanic terrain, muddy monsoon trails, and historic Route 66 country. Hosted July 17–19, the second annual Pines & Peaks SXS Adventure covered 181 miles across two Northern Arizona routes featuring Sycamore Falls, Sycamore Point, Williams, Kendrick Mountain, and the area’s lava caves.
It was a dramatic change of scenery from the desert terrain encountered during the Northern Arizona Peace Trail adventure. Instead of sandy washes and open desert, riders experienced cool mountain temperatures, dense pine forests, aspen groves, volcanic landscapes, and elevations approaching 8,800 feet.
Village Camp RV Resort in Bellemont
A High-Country Base Near Flagstaff
Village Camp RV Resort in Bellemont served as the home base for the weekend. Located west of Flagstaff at approximately 7,100 feet, Bellemont provides convenient access to the Coconino and Kaibab National Forest regions, as well as several of Northern Arizona’s most recognizable mountain and volcanic features.
Participants stayed at Village Camp, used dispersed camping areas, or booked nearby hotels. Everyone came together Friday evening at the Village Camp clubhouse for event check-in, ride information, and an opportunity to reconnect with friends before heading onto the trails.
With 70 side-by-sides participating, riders were divided into three groups. The event used two routes, with the groups switching routes on Sunday so everyone could experience both sides of the Northern Arizona high country.
Sycamore Falls
Route One: Sycamore Falls, Sycamore Point, and Williams
The first route covered approximately 91 miles of forest roads and trails leading to Sycamore Falls, Sycamore Point, and the historic town of Williams.
Recent monsoon storms created nearly ideal summer riding conditions. Temperatures remained comfortable, dust was minimal, and the normally dry forest roads were covered with puddles and patches of mud. The rain also brought out the deep green colors of the pine forest and, most importantly, had Sycamore Falls flowing.
Seeing water rushing over the rock at Sycamore Falls was one of the biggest highlights of the weekend. Flow at the falls can vary considerably depending on precipitation and seasonal conditions, but the timing of this ride gave participants an opportunity to see the falls surrounded by green forest and a landscape refreshed by the summer rain.
The route continued to Sycamore Point, where the group stopped for lunch overlooking the rugged Sycamore Canyon country. The elevated viewpoint provided a sweeping look across the canyon, surrounding forest, and Northern Arizona high country.
Wildlife sightings added to the experience. Riders encountered antelope, deer, wild turkeys, wild horses, elk, and cattle along the route.
From Sycamore Point, the group continued toward Williams, passing Williams Reservoir before stopping in town. Located along historic Route 66, Williams is known for its preserved downtown, railroad heritage, restaurants, and connection to the Grand Canyon. Riders stopped at Historic Brewing Company and had time to explore the town before returning to Bellemont.
Williams also produced one of the weekend’s most memorable moments. One participant missed a very large “Wrong Way” sign and proceeded past it. Later, the same rider accidentally keyed his radio while taking a phone call, allowing the entire group to hear the conversation. He earned the event’s Dumbass Award that evening, then turned his luck around by winning the poker pot.
Monsoon weather Can always make things interesting
Route Two: Kendrick Mountain and Northern Arizona’s Lava Caves
The second route covered approximately 90 miles and introduced riders to a different side of Northern Arizona. Instead of following the canyon country toward Williams, the route climbed through pine forests, aspen groves, grazing areas, and the volcanic landscape surrounding Kendrick Mountain.
Overnight rain left the roads wet and muddy, while cool temperatures made the higher-elevation sections especially comfortable. The route climbed to approximately 8,000 feet, with stops at Saddle Mountain near 8,800 feet and another overlook at approximately 8,500 feet.
From the overlooks, riders were treated to 360-degree views across the surrounding mountains and forest. The combination of green pines, stands of aspen, mountain roads, and passing rain showers made this route feel very different from the desert riding normally associated with Arizona.
One of the route’s most unusual stops was a hike into the area’s lava caves. Riders used flashlights to explore underground formations created by Northern Arizona’s volcanic past. The caves added an on-foot element to the weekend and demonstrated how much geological variety exists around Flagstaff and the San Francisco volcanic field.
Historic cabins, grazing cattle, wildlife sightings, muddy trails, and occasional afternoon sprinkles rounded out the route. It was not necessarily the most technically demanding terrain, but it delivered the scenery, changing conditions, and sense of exploration that make a long-distance group ride memorable.
Wild Horses
Two Routes and Two Distinct Northern Arizona Landscapes
Designing the event around two routes allowed participants to see considerably more of the region. The Sycamore Falls route combined waterfalls, canyon overlooks, wildlife, and a stop in historic Williams. The Kendrick Mountain route emphasized elevation, dense forest, volcanic terrain, and the lava cave hike.
The format also gave riders a different experience each day. The groups that visited Sycamore Falls and Williams on Saturday explored Kendrick Mountain on Sunday, while the Saturday Kendrick Mountain groups switched to the Sycamore Falls route.
For riders accustomed to Arizona’s open desert, Bellemont offers an entirely different summer riding environment. Its elevation and forest setting can provide cooler temperatures, while seasonal monsoon storms can transform dusty forest roads into green, wet, and occasionally muddy trails.
UTV Offroad Adventures has used this changing terrain to give its events distinct personalities. Its 2026 Grand Staircase SXS Experience crossed remote Utah desert, canyon, and mountain terrain, while the earlier Red Rock UTV Fest explored Sedona, Mingus Mountain, and the Verde Valley. Pines & Peaks shifted the focus farther north and higher into Arizona’s pine and volcanic country.
Raffle Prize Winner
Saturday Night Gathering
After the first day of riding, the groups returned to Village Camp for dinner, live music, poker, raffles, and awards. The evening gave participants an opportunity to compare the two routes and share stories from the trail before switching destinations the following morning.
The event attracted more than 100 participants, including riders who traveled from across the country. The farthest came from Ohio, approximately 1,800 miles away. The oldest participant was 81 years old and completed the high-country adventure alongside the rest of the group.
181 Miles in Arizona’s High Country
By the end of the weekend, the 70 participating side-by-sides had completed approximately 181 miles of Northern Arizona riding. The routes reached elevations of roughly 8,800 feet and included flowing waterfalls, muddy forest roads, volcanic formations, panoramic overlooks, wildlife, historic cabins, lava caves, and a stop along Route 66.
The 2026 Pines & Peaks SXS Adventure showed that Arizona riding is not limited to desert washes, cactus, and rocky mountain trails. Around Bellemont and Flagstaff, side-by-side owners can encounter cool pine forests, high-elevation viewpoints, volcanic terrain, and conditions that change dramatically when the summer monsoons arrive.
For information about upcoming rides, visit UTV Offroad Adventures.
