Utah Off-Road Trails

Many consider Hatch Point the best overlook campsite in the area, but getting there comes with a price. The 6.4-mile, one-hour, one-way, bumpy ride rewards you with breathtaking views of the Canyonlands and the twisting Colorado River far below. The rocky trail has one short section of 10 to 12-inch vertical ledges requiring high clearance and low-range gearing. Countless little rock ledges require slow speed, 4x4, and durable offroad-type tires. Once at the end, you can choose from a couple of campsites and sit back to enjoy the fantastic views. Prepare for winds. You must bring your firewood. An old vault toilet, picnic table, and rock fire ring are at the circle turn-around.

Although this area is an open OHV area, the track visits all the popular spots around the park to give you a complete experience in one track. You can either follow the track or try to reach the POIs on your own. Either way, you're guaranteed a good time on the dunes! White Wash Dunes is an open OHV area north of Moab, Utah. The BLM has designated this area wide open to off-highway vehicles. Similar to Sand Hollow in St. George, Utah, White Wash Dunes have countless drifting dunes to romp around on. When you're feeling a little more daring, feel free to try your luck climbing the red rocks. Go ahead. You can climb anything you see. As long as it's within this designated area, it's legal.

Hidden Canyon Rim Escape is a great continuation of the Hidden Canyon Overlook trail in the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges region. Traversing slickrock and steep rocky ascents requires a bit of nerve as you climb away from the flat and smooth. As you approach the peak of the climb, don't forget to look back at the stunning views over the Labyrinth Canyon region and the La Sals mountains towering over Moab.

Like an offroad playground, Twister is a continuous offering of technical obstacles that twist, turn, and loop erratically, running parallel to obstacles your buddies might still be conquering. Located near the central part of the Sand Mountain OHV trail system, Twister is an adrenaline-rush trail for big builds as they ascend steep inclines and staddle vehicle-size notches using only the sidewalls of their tires for traction. The plethora of different lines through the many waterfalls, wedges, and off-camber walls leave you talking about this trail for days after your adventure and have you coming back time after time.

Easily crossing the flowing meadows, passing Eight Mile Rock, Big Indian Road is 8.3 miles of panoramic splendor. The red rock mounds and La Sal Mountains jut out of the landscape, filling the windshield with contrasting views across the meadow grass. The easy route connects the Anticline Overlook Road and Looking Glass Road. In dry conditions, the road can be completed with high clearance 2WD. There can be soft sand and deep ruts after rainstorms. No camping is found along the route. Camping can be found on the area side trails or at the Hatch Point Campground.

This is the main entrance road into the Hog Canyon trail system. Under dry conditions, it is a graded dirt service road leading to a scenic overlook at a radio tower site overlooking the town of Kanab, which should be passable to all vehicles. Under wet conditions, especially after a recent snow, it can be extremely muddy and rutted, requiring a 4WD vehicle. The view from the radio towers is very scenic. This road provides access to numerous other 4WD trails in the area, which are significantly more challenging.

Several large established campsites can be found at the bottom of the valley near the beginning of the road. These are mostly just large dirt parking areas and would be best for RVs and vehicles with rooftop tents.

Mammoth Mountain trail is a scenic yet challenging alternative to other less difficult routes within this region of Dixie National Forest. The route travels to both the secluded Dead Lake and Jenson Sawmill historical site where the wood for the original school in Cedar City was harvested. It's a very short walk to Dead Lake, a wonderful place for trout fishing or just taking in the view in the shade of a tall pine. After Dead Lake, the trail is very tight trees with an abundance of large lava rock. There are downed trees and a few mild challenges between the lake and the historic mill site. The trail can is used for connecting with several other trails within the National Forest OHV network.

Harris Wash Road and V Road are technically two different roads, though they appear on the ground as one. The road leads from Hole in the Rock Road deep into a wilderness study area in the Red Breaks area of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. It provides the closest hiking access to the Cosmic Ashtray, one of the most famous geological features within the monument. The road is worth driving even without the hike for the spectacular views of the large Red Breaks petrified sand dunes.

The first half, Harris Wash Road, is graded dirt, usually passable in any vehicle as far as the Harris Wash trailhead. After crossing Harris Wash, the road name changes to V Road. V Road has had a history of closures and reopenings. Currently, the road appears to continue, but the latest Travel Management Plan signed in December 2024 has closed the continuation after Harris Wash. This section may reopen in the future.

There are several excellent dispersed campsites to be found along this road. All backcountry camping in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument requires a permit, which can be obtained at the visitor center in Escalante.

Horn Silver Gulch (Dutch Flat Road) is a great way to access the San Rafael Swell. On many parts of the trail, you get some excellent views of this remarkable area of the Swell, Cedar Mountain, and the Molen Reef. It is a mild trail with many camping opportunities, so whether you are looking for a whole weekend or just an afternoon in the Swell, this trail is an excellent way to get there.

This offroad trail crosses a dead flat plateau of hard-packed, grayish bentonite clay, with views of Factory Butte, the most recognizable feature in the immediate area. It is bordered by Capitol Reef to the west, the Henry Mountains to the south, San Rafael Swell to the north, and the San Rafael Desert to the east. This road gives you access to a vast network of four-wheel drive routes within the Factory Butte OHV system as well as the open OHV areas. It can also be used to connect to Wild Horse Road, which takes you all the way to Goblin Valley on dirt. This is a relatively maintained dirt road, with a few small patches of bumps after rain storms. 2WD and high clearance will be plenty under dry conditions. However, due to the bentonite, 4WD will be required if the trail is wet, but it is advised to avoid it altogether if there is heavy rain in the forecast. Camping is available in many locations, all in the form of dispersed camping. Interestingly, some scenes of Disney's "John Carter" were filmed in the factory butte area.

D1900 is a picturesque shortcut available between Gemini Bridges and Metal Masher in Moab, Utah. The trail begins at Waypoint 11 of Gemini Bridges and ends between Waypoints 3 & 4 of Metal Masher. Although this route may be slightly shorter than the usual one, it's worth taking a break to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views, which may lengthen your travel time. D1900 is also slightly more challenging than the regular beaten path, with a few small slickrock ledges to navigate.

This great trail ends at the Duck Creek Campground and is only 50 minutes east of Cedar City. Along the trail there are several stunning lookout points that are a great opportunity to get out of the car. At Waypoint 8 is the turn for the one room limestone Ice Cave. The cave contains year-round ice and provides a unique experience of the temperature difference only a few feet below ground. You can combine this trail with Strawberry Point trail for even more stunning views.

Oil Well Flat is a fun, offroad trail within the heart of what is truly a natural wonder, the San Rafael Swell. The shifting terrain is sure to keep you wondering what’s around the next bend. You’ll wind through junipers and bobbing slopes of colored sandstone. Beyond a clearing in the trees, the trail parallels the towering sandstone cliffs and towers. Spring and fall are prime seasons to visit, when temperatures are moderate. Ideal for beginners, combining this trail with both The Wickiup and Round Knoll creates a wonderful loop around this mesmerizing landscape.