Utah Off-Road Trails

Tommy Creek is a short, but essential connector trail within this region of the Dixie National Forest. This 4x4 route travels from the bottom of a long hill through a dense pine and aspen forest leading to the popular Henrie Knoll trail. For the first half of this route, you'll be on a ledge road hill climb with a couple of switchbacks, requiring 4x4 and offroad type tires. The expansive network of OHV trails within the Dixie NF is a very popular place during the summer months. The area trails travel through dense forests with lava rock flows forming dramatic and rugged landscapes. Connecting this trail with others like Tippets Valley and stopping by Mammoth Cave can make for a great all-day adventure.

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.

Sprawling mountain views at over 10,500' and pristine mountain lakes are a few highlights of your overland adventure on Monroe Mountain Road. The trail traverses across an entire mountain range within the Fishlake National Forest and stays above elevation all day. Along the trail, you can choose from countless primitive campsites tucked in the pines and aspen or camp near Box Creek Reservoir and Big Lake. All camping is primitive, and the entire route has no services or facilities. Plan a long, all-day, or two-day trek across this bumpy trail. The northern section of the trail leading up to Big Lake is an easy gravel road with weekend camper traffic. Traveling south beyond Big Lake will require high clearance, with 4x4 highly recommended. There can be muddy sections, especially during the early spring months. No winter gates exist, but the snow can be very deep at higher elevations.

If you want to add extra difficulty and excitement to an already iconic route, Owl Draw Spur is an excellent addition to the Dome Plateau Loop. It's a challenging and twisting ride through a rocky gorge with two big waterfalls. This short route starkly contrasts the other trails on the plateau. It's rugged and in a tight canyon without the sprawling prairie views and sandstone cliffs. Whether you're beginning or ending your plateau tour, leave time for this bonus track.

Located along the western edge of Sand Mountain, Ridgeline is a short, steep, and rocky climb connecting Long Valley to West Rim. Ridgeline starts heavy, climbing immediately and gaining 100 feet in elevation in the first 300 yards of the trail. The trail snakes its way up the ridge, traversing several 1-2 foot ledges that will require good tire placement to avoid tire slippage and undercarriage damage. The trail is only 1.5 vehicles wide along the first 100 yards, and users should be cautious of potential washouts along the downhill side after heavy rain events. After making a hard, rutty turn, you quickly approach the trail's most difficult obstacle, a steep, 6-foot slickrock slab that pitches your vehicle to nearly 40 degrees vertical. This obstacle requires momentum as it is often covered in a thin film of sand and dirt. The trail then passes both ends of Razorback before becoming significantly easier as you make your way up and down several sandy hills. This trail is a great trail for beginners to test their skills and gain confidence with their vehicle. Stock vehicles will likely struggle on this trail, especially without skid plates or rocker protection, but any high clearance 4WD vehicle with larger than stock tires should be able to complete the trail with minor heartburn.

Abundant primitive dispersed camping exists at the start of this trail within Long Valley. Numerous large open areas have room for groups or large RV's. Be cautious when accessing these sites, as there are many patches of soft sand that can burry tires quickly.

About Sand Mountain

Sand Mountain is an extremely unique parcel of public land. Designated as an Open OHV Area, riders are free to make their own trails. Due to this, many of the long-established named trail routes have several variations that can take easier or more challenging routes through the intended trail. The GPX track for this trail helps you navigate the area, but various lines, bypasses, and additional obstacles may exist along the way. Riders are encouraged to stay on existing trails and not unnecessarily drive over or destroy vegetation.

Fee

Riding on Sand Mountain is entirely free. However, there are multiple entry/exit points for the area, including "the tunnel," which connects Sand Hollow State Park to the open OHV area. Any entry into the boundaries of Sand Hollow State Park requires a Utah State Park Pass.

Requirements

When operating on Sand Mountain, users must attach an orange or red safety flag to the vehicle, rising at least 8 feet off the ground.

Wood Canyon is a difficult and long crossing along the west rim of the San Rafael Swell upheaval. You will cross prairies and zig-zag through trees, all with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. The views are best enjoyed traveling south to north. Along the trail, there are various challenges for stock and slightly modified 4x4 vehicles. The trail has two difficult hills that lead to a narrow rocky canyon. You will need experience on remote and difficult trails and have a reliable and durable vehicle with low-range gearing and durable offroad tires. Camping is found in the trees on the southern portion of the route. The sites are small, with one vehicle max.

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.

A true hidden gem in the Uintas, Trail Hollow West, often called Lightning Ridge, is a loop trail spurring from the top of Rhodes Canyon. This is a non-maintained forest service road with a few obstacles to be aware of. If the loop is run clockwise, the bulk of the obstacles before the overlooks are rocky patches and a small steep climb. These rocks are a mix of loose and embedded but are nothing much larger than softball size. If the loop is run counter-clockwise, a few more considerable challenges must be conquered uphill before the incredible views, including a 1-foot rock shelf and some loose rocky hills with slightly larger-than-ssoftball-sized rocks. Due to this, many drivers choose to run clockwise to the overlook and then return the same way, skipping the more challenging portions of the trail.

The views from the cliffs are some of the most impressive views of the Uintas offered by a simple drive. Sheer rock cliffs drop 1,000 feet in front of you while you peer over the surrounding mountains above ten thousand feet. Camping is limited, but a few good sites lie on the exposed cliffs. None are soft-grounded or large, but a few rigs could make it work. If the weather cooperates, this could be some of the best camping in the area.

Black Jump spurs off Poison Springs to incredible camping opportunities and the fantastic hiking trail through Happy Canyon. Camping along this trail is plentiful, and many sites offer impressive vistas of the surrounding canyons. It is common to see petrified wood up here, so keep your eyes open. The 8-mile round-trip hike at the end is not to miss if slot canyons are your thing.

If you are brave, you could potentially complete this trail in an AWD vehicle, but a stock 4WD vehicle with a transfer case is recommended. There are also sections of narrow shelf road. This is a highly recommended route to explore in the Poison Springs area.

Be sure you have a camera with you for this run. The colorful moon-like landscape and river overlook make for picturesque backdrops. Green River Ledges is a difficult 3.5-mile trail that will challenge stock 4x4s. The trail has numerous hard rock obstacles that require low-range gearing and high-ground clearance. There are rocky climbs and very narrow ledges. Rock crawling experience is highly recommended. You can set up camp in a few smooth and flat areas along the route. The best site has a wonderful view of the Green River. There are numerous crisscrossing trails. Be sure to follow the GPX track closely.

If you are looking for epic views and the most amazing campsite, then this trail is for you. Canyon Rim Overlook Trail is about 25 minutes south of Moab. It’s convenient to the world-class trails that Moab has to offer without the crowds. The trail starts on Hatch Point Road and can be easily missed if you’re not paying attention. Although not overly difficult, there are a few spots that require your attention. 4x4 and a higher clearance vehicle are recommended.