Arizona Overland Trail: Bloody Basin to Sheep's Bridge

In this off-road adventure we head up to Sheep's Crossing also known as Sheep's Bridge. This off-road trail goes beyond Seven Springs up through the Tonto National Forest into Bloody Basin. Once you come to the fork in the road then you can head out towards the Verde River where the old sheep herders used to maintain their flock. There are many Arizona off-road trails to explore north of Phoenix and this is just one range. If you like Arizona off-road trails then you can also check out our other off-road shows.
#Arizona #Arizonaoffroad #Arizonaoffroadtrails
Living in Arizona is quite a unique experience because of the vastness that the state offers. From the Sonoran Desert in the south to the high country in the north all the way up towards the Four Corners east and the Grand Canyon in the west. Known as the Grand Canyon state, Arizona is diverse in many ways. The state tree is the Palo Verde, the state cactus is the Saguaro, the state bird is the Cactus wren. If you are thinking about moving to Arizona feel free to subscribe and check us out on our other channels.

[@LivinginArizona]

Watch More Arizona off-road adventures here: geni.us/Arizonaoffroad

[@gregbrown9792]

I worked on the bridge in 1989. We put wood down on it. The company was M.A.C. We stayed out there all week, home on the weekend. Soaked in the tubs in the evening.

[@newrivertroll1553]

Did you know that you can cross the Verde river down stream from sheep's bridge, get on Forrest service rd 10, then cross the river again below horseshoe dam, then go south to Bartlett lake road back to cave creek. Makes the trip a loop instead of going back the way you came. There is also a turquoise mine and fire agates above the mine on chalk mountain. Cool vid 👍

[@foxmulder7616]

Can you drive across the dam? I've looked at the map but couldn't tell

[@newrivertroll1553]

@@foxmulder7616 SRP, Forest Service, Law enforcement, etc can, but not the general public

[@jaybee608]

If I had to be locked down, Arizona is the place to be!

[@johnhenke6475]

I crossed the original in the early 70's. I drove that road in a 1970 Opal Manta. Ha yes! Adventure!

[@deciduousdiscipline9592]

Awesome. Thanks

[@johnhartig7738]

Been back there many times. Best adventure was a quail hunting trip in the early 80's, 3 big guys in a Toyota SR5 4X4 standard cab. Rained for 2 days straight. Washes were running, road turned to snot but that stock Toyota pulled through. Went out through Bloody Basin to I-17. Decided to hit the high country to escape the rain and ended up in Pine Top at a friend's cabin. Snowing like a bastard. Pinetop got around 30" of snow that night! Wild times.

[@jessicaritman1471]

Awsome. Beautiful

[@cashstore1]

Underneath the bridge on the West side there is a hot spring. If you look you will see the path people use to walk to it, and yes they soak in it.

[@terriekiso7058]

Love them back roads! Enjoyed your ride! Thanks for the video.

[@cleanjim]

Thanks for the trip to Bloody Basin

[@rebeccaswilling1771]

Very beautiful tour

[@marksheridan7841]

Appreciate your video! Great information! Easy to watch! Sounds fun! Thank you!

[@in_his_presence_4362]

Loved this post! Beautiful 👍🏻⭐️

[@kierchristensen]

My friends and I used to back in there from time to time. Golden gate of the Southwest!

[@David-xg6ws]

We are moving back to Cave Creek in the next couple months. Can't wait to be back on those trails!

[@matthewmajestic1013]

What a fantastic state the Grand Canyon State is!, I will surely visit this state some day!🙏🏾

[@davidparnell3241]

I love it!

[@stevescott8060]

Nice to see the Sheep Bridge again Most people have not heard of it.

[@cq7415]

Thanks

[@juliojames5986]

I have caught bass and catfish there, in the early 60s. Drove down there in a two wheel drive pick up truck. Very remote area. Thanks for the video.

[@rosamoreno4794]

I like the NEW intro! 👍🏻

[@dennycrane2938]

This is a fun one. Ended up doing this one last feb with plans to go in through 7 springs and out through bloody basin rd, but we ended up fording the river and going down around the horeshoe, fording again and back out the way near where we came in. Only a few rough-ish spots. I did it in a stock tacoma trd pro no problems. We had 2 jeeps and an f150 with us with no problem (for width reference). I'd call it a moderate trail worth your time.

[@cw9766]

There’s a hidden jacuzzi tub connected to a spring in those reeds

[@rubyred8845]

Fantastic, a great journey!

[@stevekirkland3057]

Awesome video! I will have to try and make it there soon.

[@Lavender-doll]

Beautiful.....should travel during the day...no street lights..haha

[@gladegoodrich2297]

Spend summers at my cabin in the Utah mountains. Get tired of looking at pine trees and snow in the winter. Love to come down to that beautiful desert every January.

[@phillipgraves4721]

What a beautiful clear river, I would have been tempted to jump in.

[@scottxx1818]

Great place for the pups to play

[@MsNevadakid]

great adventure pard. ! enjoy the heck out of your vids. .. thanks much and ....happy trails always....

[@russaxford5419]

Loving this off road content, been watching your channel since the early days when I lived in the UK, now in Gilbert and these videos are giving me ideas on where to take my ADV Bike.

[@rebcol4926]

I enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

[@lovespets3]

Beautiful

[@Lenameyerlandrut-2]

Awesome video. Thanks

[@Trail89Adventures]

Great video. This is on my list of off road trails to hit up soon.

[@patriot1182]

Very nice! Thank you!

[@kylelambert2831]

I crossed the the Verde under the bridge via the red rock trail in my 02 Silverado 2500hd crew cab. Put that ford in the water and off those tough graded roads with some bumps in them. Your gopro has better suspension then the truck.

[@ryanscubarhino201]

Great video, nice camera and drone work

[@victoreroyale6068]

Excellent channel,love the information on utv trails ,I intended on riding Arizona,next year keep up the awesome work,thank you

[@travislupum]

I love it out there

[@MrCricket103]

Ended up on that road along I17 once for a couple miles, found myself taking climbs in my Jeep Patriot that trucks were turning around at! Eventually had to turn back though as I ran into a ravine that would’ve flipped me. Super fun though, I’ll definitely be checking out your route in this video!

[@fernandogambol1215]

Ilove to adventure here..

[@antjeedwards1538]

I am from Germany and i love your channel. I lived for a while in Paulden, Arizona. The state Arizona is beautiful and the people living there are very friendly. It would be very kind of you could once film Paulden and Chino Valley. Maybe you come to that area once. Thank you for your great channel.

[@SeguroOffroad]

Know of any notable trail near Paulden? When there is rain, that area gets real slippery!

[@cruzornelas236]

Just did this trail for the first time this past weekend thanks to this video! Loved the place but my Pathfinder took a beating need to do some work on it and hit that trail again.

[@MaJaGa86]

Seeing that you made it in your Pathfinder is impressive! I took my Outback there and turned around.

[@tcervesa5987]

Nice video... thanks for the info

[@saramiddleton9060]

Nicely done!

[@MultiYoda69]

I used to have a tricked out cherokee to 4X with.;... Now I have a honda Element and I would take it on that trek--it's not all that bad.

[@danielriley6928]

When I was a law student, I interned at the County Attorney's Office, and one of the first cases I worked on was a gang murder. The people involved had dumped the body off Bloody Basin Road. I've never forgotten the name, because I thought it was such a creepy name for a place to dump a body.

[@JenniNayelii]

When was this?

[@danielriley6928]

@@JenniNayelii The murder was in 2002. It went to trial in 2006 or 2007.

[@jimbob2422]

I got raped in bloody basin I thought that’s why it has it’s name my ass was all bloody after I took that train ride. The good old days.

[@backyardbraaapn1017]

@@jimbob2422 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍

[@ricoeggbomb8331]

Great vid guys🤘 I was out in the snow at tonto hills a couple months ago when y’all were filming, I was on the snowboard. I’m now doing the off-road trip today to sheep’s bridge

[@g8rayrr]

Went out to sheeps Bridge a few years back in a 2001 awd honda crv.

[@PaulSlade1]

We are replacing the touring tires on our new truck for off roaders

[@thirteen23girls64]

Outback America. Love it 'girls from oz'🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺😊😊😊

[@tonerduckpin]

You forgot to visit the hotspring upstream of the bridge. Crossing the Verde below Horseshoe Dam and taking Chalk Mountain Road is the preferable way to Sheeps Bridge.

[@newsak1]

What an adventure! I felt like I was riding along with you. Excellent video!

[@JoseSanchez-wh1zb]

Az is amazing

[@thomasvasquezjr4011]

Nice video,clear and sharp. Can you tell me what camera you’re using?

[@derekcallan1921]

When I lived in AZ I took my Chevy spark out there

[@premium83401]

Holy over hyping... seriously Someone could easily drive a Prius down those roads. Good video though enjoyed learning some history.

[@quengafarm]

I just did this drive and the video didn't do it justice. You can do it in 2WD, but there are several areas you need the high clearance. It's only 20 miles or so, but it takes 3 hours. It's a rough road. If you managed to do it in a Prius, you'd need a new Prius afterwards, lol. I don't recommend it!

[@alfredomoreno6551]

@@quengafarm I have a 2019 ford f150 with a leveling kit and 33s but no 4x4😔😔 do you think I'd be able to make it out there ?

[@pmurphy12667]

just found your channel and love it. I'm in Socal and once I get my new Off Grid Expedition trailer in several months we plan to head to Arizona for off grid travel. Too many people on trails out here and all of your videos are just amazing.

[@backyardbraaapn1017]

Having an off grid trailer doesnt mean you're automatically cut out to go anywhere lol. Be safe

[@jacko4483]

Um, where did you get your information that the new bridge was built from scrap metal? Bridge construction is one of the most regulated, scrutinized and controlled metal fabrication disciplines out there. Shops need to go through very demanding and rigorous quality control measures to be certified to do this kind of work. Independent testing and inspection firms are regularly inspecting the processes used and verifying required quality control measures. I would say with probably a 99% certainty that bridge was not built using scrap metal. The metal that is quite often used for bridges like this is called COR 10 steel. It is a steel that is engineered to have a very tight oxide layer (rust). When this layer forms it makes the steel very resistant to further rust and environmental degradation. After the initial rusting the finish is very stable and will not wear off. Lean against it with a clean tee shirt and you will not see rust on your shirt.

[@bobfincher1767]

I used to camp at 7 springs until they closed the campground

[@NitroTheWolf]

Drove up here last weekend, and with the recent rain and dam releases, the water level was higher than I had ever seen it. The beach area was completely underwater. The horseshoe dam way would have been impossible with how high the Verde River was.

[@slowcountryboy476]

I decided to get really prepared for an emergency or whatever so I 😮went to a 4x4 store and bought all kinds of self rescue suff including this 4 foot tall gizmo with a handle that clicks, ropes with a hole at each end, and this really nice chrome cross thingy with a knob on each end. But what is it for and how do you use it?? 😮

[@patdavis9804]

The location was great 👍 but the background music was so loud it completely killed anything you were saying.

[@ebx2323]

It's an annoying bumpy drive lol But beautiful when you get there!

[@JuanLopez-gh1rb]

Be careful going up bloody basin trail! Especially if your trying to find i-17 to get out! It is a very long incline... your truck engine temp will rise...and there is two sharp right turns with very loose rocks...where you can loose traction and start sliding sideways....best advice is to drive slooowww and keep maximum traction...do not gun it! There was a jeep stuck for two days out there! And a lady in a car stuck out there before the incline....there is no cell signal!! Easy 4 hour trail ride....start in the morning...and don't leave your car if your stuck at night! People have gotten lost at night trying to get out of bloody basin trail

[@NebulousCat]

Great video. Would a stock Tacoma Off Road 4x4 do OK on the road to Sheep's Bridge? How long of a drive is it?

[@chrismorand5681]

A 2 wheel drive Tacoma would make it.

[@christophergrande8609]

I got the phx non emergency number yesterday! Might have a range day together sooner then later!

[@dukebarton9284]

great video, glad I finally watched it. What is the camping situation around Sheep's Bridge? I mean where can you camp?

[@LivinginArizona]

I mean out this far there aren’t any forest rangers 😂 so take that how you wanna

[@scelzitimes]

Was that a Raptor you were driving! Looked like it and you was having some fun.

[@irecordtomuch]

I’m looking to start some basic fun trails open trails with my Ram TRX is this a tight squeeze with AZ pinstripes or pretty easy and wide?

[@robertgomez5248]

On a UTV this is an easy trail but even on a lifted 4x4 truck with big tires it will beat you up. My family and I were sore for days from the 4+ hours of being shaken up inside the truck.

[@aaronjohnson3129]

Are there 4x4 trails around tombstone and those areas thank you for your videos I have learned alot some day I'll get to go I have a built suburban on 40s

[@cycleoflife7331]

Watch out for Apache

[@tacocruiser4238]

Have you modified your truck at all (lift, shocks, tires, etc)?

[@dirtychaosoff-roaders8100]

LOL I did this in my 2wd ranger even did the river crossings

[@MaJaGa86]

How much clearance did you have in your Ranger?

[@ArizonaKid]

Nice I’m gonna have to do a atv / utv video here for my chan

[@billharvey9959]

Can you shoot long range out there?

[@blaketartaglio190]

Yes!

[@MetroCollectablesandvlogs]

Could you camp there? also how long of a drive would you say from Queen Creek?

[@tycoyle4208]

Do you know about the hot tub natural hot spring?

[@chadhaire1711]

Dude you need to col it with the music...it belongs in the background at low volume , not blaring in the video and drowning out your voice....

[@fishslayersocal9345]

Best time of year to visit this place? I’d like to take the family to do some SXS riding in this awesome country

[@96azlowst]

My ex girlfriend broke up with me out there....sad day.

[@rolandolivo3585]

In the Middle Of Nowhere ? No Cell Phone Service ? Carry A Whistle Around Your Neck ....Blow it Over 10 Times .... That Means You Need Help Or if You Are in Trouble .... So Other People Nearby Can Hear You .... Same Thing As Hiking in A Pine Forest Mountains .... Blow Your Loud Whistle For Help .... So They Can Hear You

[@edwardnelson3413]

Fantastic channel! I have a 2020 Subaru Forester went just a few mile short of the fork in the road. I had no idea this existed.. Thank you. How can someone help support your channel!

[@MaJaGa86]

Did you ever attempt Sheep’s Bridge in your Forester? I took my Outback WIlderness there yesterday and turned around about 4 miles from Sheep’s Bridge. Heading back tomorrow to finish the job!

[@jeffreyun]

New to area, would my Silverado 2500 HD 4x4 be suitable for areas like Sycamore canyon and Sedona area?

[@Jeff-wu6wn]

Do you air down your tires? it would make the ride smoother..

[@joehunter15]

Do you have to turn around and go back the way you come in or can you continue on to horseshoe reservoir?

[@LivinginArizona]

You have to turn back and go the way you came unless you want to take bloody basin out to I17

[@lancealot3867]

I have seen trucks cross it but you need a snorkel. It’s about 3-4 feet deep at the shallowest spot.

[@garydoyle5755]

Huh? I didn't see anything that a Ford Taurus with bald tires couldn't do.

[@LivinginArizona]

HAHA yeah good luck on that road

[@nateboggs2974]

is there fish in that river at Sheeps Bridge?

[@quengafarm]

Just did this drive and the video doesn't do the road justice. It sucked, lol. But, worth the drive, awesome spot.

[@frankelfranko1436]

You know Dave Tubb ?

[@azkafen9306]

Do you need a OHV permit to do this trip?

[@lancealot3867]

Do you mean the sticker? There really isn’t anyone out there to check. The sheriff goes out there once in awhile but I doubt they are checking. It’s remote!

[@rafapz2347]

Did you or will most ppl get AZ pin stripes from going on this trail?

[@jausher]

How about taking a motorcycle on that road? Like a BMW ADV Bike?

[@smg311_87]

Sick video dude

[@the_Dehner]

Any need to air down at all?

[@kevinwilliams877]

This is 7 springs to bloody basin

[@sunsnakestone]

What area of AZ has rock crawling trails?

[@babylove-69]

Sedona the city for sure. And outside of phx-> Some medium rock crawls sometimes with water, off the beeline (87) enter thru lower sycamore creek. Springtime theres water from snowmelt. DOUBLE CHECK IF OPEN BC THERE WAS A BIG FIRE. And the city of Prescott has some big boulders in surrounding areas, but not sure about which trails.

[@letsfly1717]

Northern VA to AZ? I'm trying to escape the cold and pricey living out here. Good move or no?

[@JoseSanchez-wh1zb]

Az is amazing