West Desert

Almost 2000 miles of dirt road stretching across the United States from St. Joseph to San Francisco sounds like an overlander's dream come true. Dating back to 1860, the Pony Express was one of the most historic routes in the country. The trail was originally laid out to provide a route for mail delivery. Over the course of eight to ten days, riders would traverse mountains and deserts across 8 states (Only two states back then) to deliver mail to Sacramento, where it was placed onto a steamer to continue its journey to San Francisco. At its peak, there were believed to be around 190 stations spanning across this historic route. Sadly, after only 18 months, the telegraph was brought about and led to the termination of the Pony Express in October of 1861. Today, much of the track remains available and is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. What took riders eight to ten weeks to cover at an average speed of seven miles per hour now can be achieved by vehicle in as little as 5 hours depending on speed of travel. Billboards and postings give plenty of information along this trail. Although it may be a maintained route, be sure to pack for desert travel, bringing plenty of food, water, and clothing in the colder months.

Middle Canyon Road/Copper Mine Overlook is a great escape from the city, with incredible views in all directions. It's an easy, well-kept dirt road accessible to most vehicles under good conditions. The road to the overlook is slightly rougher, but just about any car should have no trouble. Inclement weather may limit this to four-wheel drive vehicles, as it could become muddy. Many people head to the overlook from the Salt Lake side via Butterfield Canyon. The entire road up Butterfield Canyon is now paved until you reach the saddle.

Once you are at the top, the Tooele Valley and Salt Lake Valley are visible, but the biggest draw is right below. The Bingham Canyon Mine, commonly referred to as Kennecott, is the largest open pit mine in the world. You can even see it from space! As of 2024, it was 3/4 of a mile deep and over 2 miles wide. This mine is most known for copper but also extracts other precious minerals like gold, lithium, and aluminum. This mine is still incredibly active, and you can see all of the trucks working along its shelf roads. If you are looking for an awesome experience to add to your day, check out a tour at the visitors center.

Camping is available at the start of the trail, where the pavement ends at Middle Canyon Campground. There are designated sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and a pit toilet. This is a popular camping area close to the city, so be sure to get there early! The entire canyon is closed yearly from November 1st to June 1st.

This gem of an out-and-back trail just off the Pony Express Trail features more than 1500 feet of elevation gain, topping out at 7500 feet. The 4 miles of track begin easily on a graded dirt road before giving way to a lightly-traveled two-track surrounded by grass meadows and a dense juniper forest immediately after the BLM and Wasatch National Forest border. The scenery of Little Valley below, with the mountains ahead, is spectacular before the track quickens its steep incline. The last quarter of the trail quickly goes from easy to moderate to even difficult. The trail is narrow, very steep, and features loose rock, making traction challenging. The top of the road is a red-rock-lined plateau at 7500+ feet, affording a breathtaking view that seems to go on for hundreds of miles in all directions. No camping along the route, so be prepared to head back down in low gear and even 4Low to save your brakes.

Is this perhaps the southern brother of the Pony Express? The Weis Highway spans roughly 98 miles across Utah's vast West Desert from the Little Sahara Recreation Area at its eastern end to Callao, UT, where it connects with the Pony Express.

Although lacking in technical or challenging obstacles, the Weis Highway provides a great dirt road option for those looking to get in major mileage off-pavement. Although it's easy to pick up speed on the many flat, straight stretches, keep an eye out for ranch vehicles hauling trailers and furry desert traffic like pronghorn, jackrabbits, and coyotes.

Camping is limited almost exclusively to the beginning and end of the Weis Highway. Dispersed camping is abundant at the eastern end via the public land surrounding the Little Sahara Recreation Area. If you choose to go into the fee area, you'll find four managed campgrounds, a water fill, a dump station, and vault toilets. At the western end is the Callao Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Campground, which has dispersed sites shaded by cottonwood trees and marked with metal fire pits. Callao Campground has no services and doesn't require a fee.

Many roads spur off of the Weis Highway, creating a maze-like network across the West Desert. BLM signage is dotted throughout the area to help guide travelers to major areas at the more popular crossroads.

Muskrat Canyon is a moderately challenging 2.5-mile out-and-back trail just off I-80 west of Salt Lake City, perfect for an off-pavement break from freeway traffic. The trailhead sits just off Highway 196 beyond two gates (as always, leave them as you found them) and features incredible views of the salt-flat valley below. The lower section of Muskrat is hampered by rutting and is best avoided after a rainstorm. As the trail gains elevation, the sandy rutted path gives way to a more narrow and rocky traverse up the 800 feet of elevation change. About three-quarters of the way up is a peaceful campsite nestled amongst Juniper trees in the shadow of snowcapped mountains. Beyond the camp spot, the trail enters a recent burn area and gets a little more technical before hitting a gate at a wilderness area line. Muskrat Canyon Trail is short, restful, and challenging enough to be interesting.

Running parallel to the modern-day, paved US-50 is the dirt and gravel Old 6 & 50. This nearly 73-mile stretch traverses Cowboy Pass and Marjum Pass like the groups traveling the Central Overland Trail in 1859. The most interesting parts of the trail are definitely within the western half of the route, including Hermit's Cabin in Marjum Canyon. To visit the cabin, you will drive down a spur to a small campsite and have to continue on foot for a short hike up a rocky canyon wash.

Camping directly along Old 6 & 50 is mostly limited to the site on the Hermit's Cabin spur, a site within Marjum Pass within view of the powerlines, and a very exposed site near Kells Knolls. Other Bureau of Land Management (BLM) roads that diverge off of Old 6 & 50 may provide additional opportunities for camping.

Visit the BLM official page on Hermit's Cabin to read the story of Bob Stinton, the World War I veteran who built the cabin. Treat this site with respect; do not lean on the walls, deface the rocks, or leave trash.

Cedar Mountain Road, surrounding its namesake mountain range, is an easy but occasionally bumpy dirt road that makes nearly a complete loop back to I80. The majority of this trail is packed with dirt and gravel, but a few spots and stretches are prone to small flash floods that come out of the hills, causing random rutting and bumps. Dispersed camping is found in a few select locations on both sides of the mountains, with more camping options located up Hastings Pass.

Gandy Road is also known as Snake Valley Road, depending on whether you are traveling within Juab or Millard County. This route offers a 60-mile gravel access road running along the Utah/Nevada border from Highway 50 north up to the Weis Highway. As it's a local traffic county road, camping is not located immediately off the road, but lesser-used Bureau of Land Management roads that spur off may have camping areas available.

At the southern end of Gandy Road, you are within eyesight of the Border Inn, which has a gas station, EV charge station, and small general store.

Davis Mountain sits due south of Dugway Proving Grounds in the heart of the West Desert of Utah. It can be easily accessed via the Pony Express Road. The loop road around the mountain is a dirt road not often traveled. It is rocky in spots and has several dry washes that can test your approach and break-over angles. For this reason, you need to have a high clearance vehicle and 4-wheel drive may be required. There are no established camping areas anywhere on the loop.

Hearty Road trail is conveniently located just off I-80 west of Salt Lake City and sits above the Delle Road area, popular with boondockers and off-road enthusiasts. Be mindful of bikers, side-by-sides, and motorcycles here. Not surprisingly, Delle Road's popularity also means heavily rutted areas leading up to Hearty Road. It's a wide trail with plenty of room to maneuver. Above the Hearty Road trailhead, the road narrows and becomes much quieter and immediately feels more remote. Two-wheel drive vehicles should be fine here if they managed to get through any ruts and mud on Delle Road. The scenery is beautiful and surprisingly quiet, given the proximity to I-80 and a popular off-road track. You may want to avoid this trail in wet conditions.

Goshawk Trail is a stunning drive near I-80 west of Salt Lake City, up a relatively narrow road to beautiful vistas and natural surroundings. The trail is rocky and narrow, but nothing a stock SUV or truck can't handle. The highest elevations of the trail give way to spectacular views of grand valleys and distant snowy peaks. A small fire ring suggests a camping area, though it is very exposed to wind and weather. The trail does have slightly off-camber areas, deep ruts, and rocky stretches. Airing down will improve the comfort level. Please note that the service road at the end of the trail that heads back to I-80 might prove more challenging than the trail itself and should be avoided in wet conditions.

Little Valley Road is a 7-mile-long offshoot of the famous Pony Express trail that offers a peaceful drive away from the bustling activity of the main trail. This scenic route features abundant and easily accessible dispersed campsites for visitors to enjoy.

The trail is characterized by a well-graded, wide dirt road that remains consistent throughout its length, with only one slightly challenging S-curve down a medium-grade hill. Four-wheel drive is not required, making this trail accessible to most vehicles.

Camping opportunities are primarily located on the first half of the trail and a few short offshoots from the main road. The back half of the trail provides stunning views of the picturesque Little Valley below, making it an excellent location for scenic drives and photo opportunities.

Ericson Pass Road is a long and dusty, maintained dirt road stretching just over 32 miles from Dugway to its southern intersection with the Weiss Highway. Aside from its random blind curves, there are no notable obstacles, making this trail suitable for just about any vehicle. Camping is sparse despite traveling through BLM land, but a few sites do exist. Please be sure to not camp near any of the springs or corrals, as this is actively grazed.

Dugway Mountain Road spurs off of the Pony Express and travels along the eastern side of the Dugway Range. It cuts through Bullion Canyon at the most northern end to cut over to the western side of the range. The last few miles of the trail are easily the most fun as you travel through Bullion Canyon and climb in elevation. If you keep a sharp eye out, you'll notice dilapidated remnants of mining structures along the high points of the canyon. The hardest part of Dugway Mountain Road is a set of switchbacks roughly 1.5 miles from the trail's northern end. Taking a trailer on the switchbacks is not recommended due to the tight turns.

Starting to the west is Moore Road, a maintained dirt and gravel road running across the open West Desert just north of the Weiss Highway. Enjoy the expansive views before turning north and heading to the divide between the Sheeprock and West Tintic Mountains. As the trail heads north, the road's name changes to Cherry Creek Road, where its northern terminus drops you off near Silver City and Eureka, a once-bustling regional mining hub. This road is part of the grander network known as the Prospector Trail System, an exploration of the mining activity that occurred in the West Desert of Utah. Camping is not found along this route, but many spur trails offer a place to pitch a tent.

Winding through a small portion of National Forest, Main Canyon is an easy, maintained dirt road that is part of the large Prospector Trail System winding through the West Desert. Pinyon and junipers line the trail, with occasional springs providing trickling water, green grass, and muddy spots, even in the heat of summer. These patches of mud are the most difficult part of the trail. Camping is available at Vernon Reservoir near the northern end of the forest boundary, where a developed campground borders the small and peaceful reservoir. Free, dispersed camping can be found further south if you do not need any amenities.

Around the Keg (BLM7B) travels around the east side of Keg Mountain, passing Harvey Knoll, and can be used to connect the Weis Highway to the Pony Express. Although there is no notable camping along the trail, there is plenty to take in between the views of Simpson and Sheep Rock Mountains, Harvey Knoll, pronghorn, jackrabbit, and even the occasional badger. The trail does briefly become narrower where it travels along the northern end of Keg Mountain connecting to Flint Spring Road.

Hastings Pass Road is a maintained gravel and dirt road traversing the Cedar Mountains west of the Great Salt Lake. Only climbing 1,000 feet, this trail is not too difficult, and it is less used due to its remoteness. This combination makes for a smooth and easy trail. Dispersed camping is found in a select few locations along the trail, primarily on the west side of the pass.

Fling Springs Road works with Around the Keg to connect the Pony Express and the Weis Highway. There are no obvious campsites along this trail, but the rock formations are a visual treat. The stone along Flint Springs is not your typical red rock but rather jagged and stark dark gray accentuated by hard shadows. Depending on the light, it really looks like an area out of a sci-fi movie set.

South Valley Road is an escape road leading from the Cedar Mountains to the pavement at Skull Valley Road. This is an easy, and randomly bumpy road where rain pools and ruts form. Dust is heavy most of the year, so please be respectful when passing others. Camping is not found along this road.

Post Hollow Road heads south from White Rock, connecting back to Skull Valley Road near its southern terminus. This is a bumpy, non-technical 2-track running through the grassy hills of the West Desert. Due to its little use, the grass grows tall, even in the middle of the trail, so be very cautious where you stop your vehicle. No camping was found directly along the trail, but White Rock has plenty of dispersed opportunities.

Tucked into the foothills of the Cedar Mountains is Cochran Springs Road, a bumpy but non-technical trail slowly being forgotten in time. This lightly used trail has a few patches of embedded rocks, so tougher tires and high clearance are recommended. If you are on a grand overland-style trip in the West Desert, connect this with Cedar Mountain Road and Post Hollow Road to avoid pavement for quite a distance. Just keep in mind that this area is very remote, so be prepared! Camping is available at the southern end around White Rock, with many sites providing flat sandy ground and shade from the desert sun. No amenities are offered.

Six Horse Pass trail is a nearly forgotten 2-track hidden in the foothills of the Cedar Mountains. Branching off of Cochran Spring Road, this trail quickly begins disappearing into the juniper and sage trees. Occasional washouts and encroaching branches are the challenges to face on this short spur. Due to deep ruts and a soft sandy surface, high clearance and 4WD may be needed. Although this trail is on BLM land, no camping is found.

If you travel around the Dugway Range using Dugway Mountain Road (to the east), you'll more than likely also need West Dugway Mountain Road to complete the loop. This trail at the southern end starts just off the Pony Express and comes to a complete termination at a large gate and the fence line marking the large military area to the north of the mountain range. There are no obvious camping opportunities to be found along this track; your nearest option is likely near the Dugway Geode Beds (See Pony Express trail guide for location and details).

Goshute Canyon Access is a spur road leading away from the Callao CCC Campground. It follows Tom's Creek up in elevation for about a mile towards the Deep Creek Mountains Wilderness Study area. The trail dead-ends at a small campsite that is not the most level and is best for one vehicle. Pinstriping is guaranteed as the trail is narrow, and the brush has grown thick around the creek, eager for a water source. Tom's Creek flows in small waterfalls around the campsite, creating peaceful white noise if you stay there; sadly, they are hard to view through the trees and brush lining the creek. Old remnants of irrigation damming and holding tanks sit next to Tom's Creek, perhaps left from the Civilian Conservation Core projects.

White Rock Road is a maintained access road to its namesake, White Rock. This destination is popular for dispersed camping, hiking, climbing, and general sightseeing in the West Desert of Utah. White Rock is a tall spire standing a few hundred feet off of the sandy desert floor, providing a great opportunity for both kids and adults to climb around and explore. The dispersed camping is plentiful in all directions from the towering chimney, with many sites shaded by the native juniper and pinyon trees. Several of the campsites in the more secluded areas are a little bit rougher of a road or have deep sand, so be sure to explore by foot and select a camp suitable for your vehicle before venturing down the many spur roads. Any high clearance vehicle should be adequate if you stick to the main loop. There are no fees, but no amenities offered. This is a pretty remote area, so be prepared!

Running through the West Desert, Ericson Knoll is an occasionally maintained dirt and gravel road wrapping around its namesake feature. This trail connects Ericson Pass to the Weiss Highway in a different location, acting as a "scenic alternate" to completing Ericson Pass to the south. Although the majority of this trail runs through BLM land, no camping is observed directly off of the trail. However, many spurs heading into the small side canyons have a few dispersed options. This trail is also part of the large Prospector Trail Network, providing opportunities for an extended overland journey through the mining history of the West Desert.

Running along the base of the Cedar Mountains, South Cedar Mountain Road is an easy, non-technical dirt road connecting the main Cedar Mountain Road to White Rock. This is an uneventful trail, with the hardest part being the small blind bends crossing occasional dry washes. Although this trail is on BLM land, no camping is observed.