Sycamore Creek Offroading Area

One of the most popular local areas for true off-road travel is at Sycamore Creek. The area is about 10 miles up the Beeline Highway (State Route 87) from Fountain Hills.

Sycamore Creek offers recreational opportunities for 4X4s, ATVs, motorcycles, and other all terrain vehicles. The main attraction to Sycamore Creek is the wide, sand and pebble, dry creekbed. The Creek flows during rainstorms and sometimes during snow run off in the spring but for the most part it remains dry. There are trails that lead out of the creekbed up steep slopes, along ridges, and through thickets of trees and shrubs. Some trails offer 365 degree, panoramic vistas.

Traveling northeast in Sycamore Creek, the creekbed eventually narrows and becomes rocky with occasional pools of water. At the back end, the creekbed is obstructed by giant boulders that often hold back enough water to form a natural swimming hole. Few people visit the natural feature since it is quite a ways bac,k so it can be a quiet place to cool off in warmer months.

For those who tow their off-road vehicles, there are plenty of places to park along the main dirt road into the area.

Sycamore Creek is located about 10 miles from Fountain Hills off the Beeline Highway (State Route 87) on FR 403. About a mile or two past the Bush Highway intersection watch for a left turnoff that crosses the divided Beeline Highway median. Be sure to use your signal and slow down way before the left turnoff since there is no exit lane. Watch for traffic coming from the north before you cross southbound traffic lanes. Once across the Beeline, FR 403 is unpaved but graded. It descends down to the creek. Watch for ATVs and other vehicles while on this road. FR 403 ends at the creek.

Remember to always have plenty of gas and a spare tire on hand. Be sure to bring enough water for all passengers for more than one day. Plan ahead, paying close attention to weather reports. Practice cautious driving and never attempt to cross flooded washes.