Photos and story by Kim Krause
UTV riding in Arizona’s White Mountains offers a different kind of getaway: pine forests, open meadows, wildlife, mountain lakes and small towns where riders can break up a long day on the trail. The Springerville and Eagar area makes a useful starting point for exploring toward Alpine, Nutrioso, Big Lake and Greer. UTV Offroad Adventures’ September 2025 White Mountain Madness ride showed how much of this high-country landscape a group can experience over a weekend.
Why Ride a UTV in Arizona’s White Mountains?
The appeal is the change of scenery. Instead of the desert terrain many riders associate with Arizona, the White Mountains have tall pines, grassy openings, water and expansive overlooks. The 2025 group encountered elk, deer, turkeys and other birds, with cool mountain air and temperatures in the low 70s during its Saturday ride.
There is also plenty to see after parking the side-by-side. Near Springerville and Eagar, the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area has walking trails and wildlife viewing areas. The ride also included a stop at the historic Scout Cabin. Treat wildlife areas and hiking trails as places to explore on foot, and confirm which nearby roads are open to your vehicle before heading out.
Places to Explore Around Springerville
A White Mountains trip can connect several distinct stops. Alpine makes a natural lunch destination, while Nutrioso Overlook rewards riders with a broad view of the surrounding country. Big Lake offers a lakeside break, and Greer provides another mountain-town stop. On the 2025 ride, the group traveled from Butler Trailhead toward Greer and visited Molly Butler’s.
The scenery changes throughout the day, from meadows and forest to creeks and lake country. That variety makes the region well suited to a multi-day ride, with time to stop for photos and wildlife viewing rather than treating the route as a race.
A Two-Day White Mountains UTV Ride
For a sense of the distances, White Mountain Madness brought 17 side-by-sides and 30 riders to Springerville on September 5–7, 2025. Saturday’s 95-mile ride passed through the White Mountains, briefly crossed into New Mexico and returned to Arizona. The group stopped at Sipe, Scout Cabin, Alpine and Nutrioso Overlook. Near the end of the day, riders replaced a broken front ball joint on the trail and got the affected machine moving again.
Sunday added 85 miles, including a lunch stop at Big Lake, the ride toward Greer and a creekside stretch. Across the two days, the group covered 180 miles. American Legion Post 30 in Springerville served as the event’s base for check-in, meals and an evening gathering. At that gathering, the poker run winner donated the winnings; combined with proceeds from UTV Offroad Adventures, the money went to Post 30.
Plan Your White Mountains Side-by-Side Trip
Use the towns and landmarks above as ideas for a trip, rather than assuming the 2025 event route is open or suitable for every machine. Check current route designations, seasonal conditions and vehicle restrictions with the U.S. Forest Service and the relevant land managers before riding. Carry navigation, water and a basic repair kit for a long day away from services.
For another look at northeastern Arizona riding, read our Arizona Alpine Trail Rim Runner 700 report. Find information about organized rides at UTV Offroad Adventures.
