Kentucky Grit

5 Star Route / ~ Tucson, Arizona / Published December 2022 / Version 2.0 / Directions

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Leading out!

Entering Box Canyon.

The road in the distance.

Onto the Kentucky Camp loop sector.

The dogleg out & back to the radio towers, ~ mile 12.

The destination, the radio towers.

From the turn around point.

Descending back down.

Back onto the loop, the rugged hill climb.

Dropping into Kentucky Camp.

The headquarters is a living museum. Check it out!

The AZT single-track.

Some of the ruggedness.

The Mustang Mountains.

Back onto the stick and Box Canyon.

Nearing the end.

Route:

Lollipop | 41 mi

Gain:

3,800 ft

Surface:

~ 95% gravel, 5% single-track

Technical Difficulty:

Moderate

Navigation:

Attention Required

Locale:

Remote

Tire Suggestion:

~ 45 mm+

eBike Friendly:

Ride up and through Box Canyon and then swing a loop through rolling oak grasslands with a stop at the historic mining and ranching enclave of Kentucky Camp.

This route is the combination of two great 5-Star routes: Madera Canyon (via Box Canyon) and Kentucky Camp. The Box Canyon is the “stick” segment of the route lollipop, and Kentucky Camp is the loop segment.

For the full route details, check out the Madera Canyon (via Box Canyon) and Kentucky Camp route guides.

What to expect: some hard-packed fast roads, some ruggedness, a cool canyon traverse, rolling hills of grasslands and oaks, and vista mountain views. We really like this route for the riding, scenic payback and for something a bit longer and all gravel.

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download

Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

This route ranges in elevation from 3500 to 5900 feet; thus, it is a go most of the year (with an early start in the summer)! We really like early Fall and Spring. Late fall through the Holidays it can be busy with hunters and OHV riders.

The Start

A make-shift dirt parking area just off Madera Canyon road (to the east).

Lat / Long: 31.792347, -110.881325

Food & Water

None

Notes & Options

Route Notes

For the latest ride conditions check the comments from the Kentucky Camp and Madera Canyon (via Box Canyon) ride guides.

Comments

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!

Love Where You Ride! Learn More

Kentucky Camp - Headquarters Building On this ride, make sure you go to Kentucky Camp! The headquarters building has been renovated and is a living history museum. Before you go, we recommend that you take a look at the following two resources:

These resources are made possible by Friends of Kentucky Camp, a chapter of the Coronado National Forest Heritage Society and a non-profit organization established to help in the preservation and interpretation of this historic site. Plan on 30+ minutes.

Keep it Local! Learn More

Kentucky Camp Cabin

A really cool way to experience Kentucky Camp is by staying on-site at the refurbished adobe cabin that is part of the National Forests Service “Rooms with a View” program.

Ridden and Reviewed by:

LindaE (aka Gravel Girl) / Team Dirty Freehub

She loves a good day of gravel, like most people like a good book. She’s always amused by the outdoors and the wild adventures. Gravel Girl is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

KevinE / Team Dirty Freehub

He should have “Never Stop Exploring” tattooed on his chest! He loves adventures on bikes and is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.