Utah Off-Road Trails

With breathtaking views, free camping, and easy access, Trin Alcove West is a one-stop shop for a San Rafael Desert base camp location. The trail leads out to the mirrored bend of Trin Alcove East, an almost 360-degree bend within the Green Rivers Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness. The trail is easy enough for 2WD with high clearance and durable tires, but not passenger cars. Larger vehicles may want to stay closer to the trailhead to prevent getting stuck in sand or high-centering on large rocks in the trail. There are roughly five campsites along the trail, each with semi-privacy on a popular trail with unique views.

This is a simple rock and dirt road that gains just over 800’ in elevation. It is passable with any high clearance vehicle during dry conditions but can require 4x4 when wet or snowy and can be impassable with large amounts of snow. However, this makes for a killer trail for winter wheeling. Twelvemile Pass is often used to access many of the trails in the Tintic Mountains. There is no ideal camping directly off this trail. However, many of the spurs lead to good dispersed camping opportunities.

South of Red Fleet Reservoir lies Little Valley Road, an unmaintained dirt road spanning over 11 miles. This trail provides a few different access points to Red Fleet Reservoir, which offers great fishing and water activities. If you do utilize the reservoir, please be sure to visit the visitor's center and pay the appropriate fees for boating or fishing as required. As the trail turns away from the water and heads south, it will end on the outskirts of Vernal. The trail is a great way to take the dirt road into the incredible desert scenery that this area has to offer. The trail consists of mostly packed dirt with ruts and washouts being the most difficult part. It is not overly rough, but airing down will always help with comfort. No camping is found along the BLM-owned portions of this road. There are existing fire pits on the shores of the reservoir, but they are not legal as you are on State Park land, where camping is only allowed in designated sites.

This trail is a side spur off the Poverty Wash Road that descends to an overlook of the East Fork of the Virgin River near the Barracks slot canyon. Unfortunately, the legal status of this road is disputed as the state claims it as an RS-2477 road, but the BLM does not recognize that. Only the top portion of the road on state land is currently legal to drive. The lower part of the road on BLM land is not shown on the current Kanab Field Office travel map. It is within the Parunweap Canyon Wilderness Study Area, so it is technically closed to vehicles even though it is not signed as such and is regularly driven. The overlook at the end can only legally be reached by parking at the state land boundary and hiking the rest of the way.

The GPS track shown here only includes the legal portion of the road on state land, though the photos show beyond that. The legal upper portion of the road is sandy and moderate, while the final descent to the bottom of the canyon is rocky and difficult. The views of the Barracks area are spectacular.

There is no camping available along this trail. While the flat area near the junction with the main Poverty Wash Road is suitable for camping, it is technically prohibited thereby SITLA, even though there are no signs.

Who doesn't like a natural river crossing? Located far out in the San Rafael Desert, trail 9600 legally crosses the San Rafael River at Spring Canyon—a very rare allowance within this region of Utah. Continuing your overland adventure with Gillis Ranch makes this water crossing extra special. The water crossing depth can vary depending on the season and recent rains from far up north. In late spring, the snow melt will make it impassable, while it will be ankle-deep in the summer and winter. The drop down into the water on one side is vertical. You need substantial ground clearance to get up it. Traveling south makes the ledge down. The water is too deep if the water isn't over two feet below the dirt bank. The rest of the route is wide open desert two-track through scrub brush. Look for camping along the southern bank of the water crossing, or later in the route, there is a site hidden in the boulders. You will get pinstripes approaching the river crossing.

Horse Bench Crossover is an easy connector between Lower San Rafael Swell Road and Highway 24, allowing you to stay on dirt to the other trails within the Swell. The trail is a mix of dirt and rock, but there are no obstacles or challenging sections. The trail travels across a wide-open prairie-type terrain with sporadic rocky reefs crisscrossing the region. The trail can be completed in 2WD with high ground clearance and off-road type tires in dry conditions. The trail is lightly used, in fair to good condition, and not very bumpy. There can be washouts and deep ruts from recent rains that may require 4x4. Camping is allowed in this area, but because no one goes out there, there are not any established sites until you get near Highway 24.

Capturing the wind in its deep alcove carved into the sandstone cliff 200' above, Wind Whistle Rock is truly a unique natural wonder. As you travel up this sandy 4x4 two-track, the cliff and the deep hole begin to take shape. You can understand how it got its name using a little imagination. The trail is ideal for beginners with high-clearance 4x4s looking to add a little adventure compared to paved roads. You'll need durable tires and ambition to travel to the end, where you're rewarded with remnants of an old signal tower from the early settlers and fantastic views of the La Sals. There was camping at the end, with room for 2 to 3 vehicles with tents.

Sager Wash Road is a short grated dirt road used for accessing Sagers Bench and numerous other trails along the seemingly impenetrable Book Cliffs. The trail is easy enough for all stock SUVs and high clearance passenger cars with durable tires. You will travel through a wash under the railroad tracks before entering the annual sheep lambing area for local ranchers. Please be respectful and patient with the massive herds crossing the roadway. No camping was found along this short route because of the rolling terrain and sheep grazing. Remote primitive camping with incredible views can be found along Sagers Bench.

Heads of the Creek is a scenic trail that spans between Smoky Mountain Road and the intersections of Nipple Creek Road and Tibbet Canyon. Bordering along the Wahweap Wilderness Study, the trail drops in and out of washes and curves around the bases of unique formations like Pilot Rock, Weness Cove, John Henry Bench, and Clints Cove.

Camping is very limited on Heads of Creek. Most suitable spots have become popular with free-range cattle, making them places you would likely only want to stay at in a pinch.

Although no substantial obstacles are found on Heads of the Creek, this area is a major drainage for seasonal rain, meaning wash-outs can form quickly and increase the trail's difficulty, if not make it impassable completely. Mud in this area is notorious for stranding motorists until conditions dry out.

Tusher Road, an easy C-shaped connector, starts and ends along Tusher Canyon. The trail's southern half is a small section of the 3D Jeep Safari Route and passes trail D2482. The trail has long, soft sandy sections with small softball-sized rocks peppered randomly throughout. The only obstacle along the trail is a short, jagged rock ledge with multiple lines, including a smooth drive over two tabletop-sized sandstone slabs.

The trail is suitable for any high clearance vehicle.

There is no camping along this trail. Camping in this area is limited to designated dispersed spots only. Several designated sites are located along Cotton Mine Road.

Lower Dune Road is an easy and sandy road used as an access trail between Waddy's Corral staging area (formally known as Water Tanks) and popular trails along the western edge of Sand Mountain OHV area, such as Sliplock, John's Trail, West Rim, and Rollercoaster. The trail offers a fun, steep, long sand dune on its western edge that will likely require 4WD or high horsepower. There are various ways up the dune, and this is a common place to find people testing out the ponies in their machines. After the dunes, the trail traverses constant wind-blown packed sand as your vehicle bounces up and down, tilting left and right like a small boat on the high seas. Depending on how well your suspension is tuned, this 1.5-mile trail might feel long or short.

This trail is suitable for any high clearance vehicle.

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.

Fees

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.

Of the three spur trails leading to the overlooks of Shafer Canyon, D1230 is the easiest to reach and has a couple of primitive campsites to choose from. The trail leads out and back to a magnificent view of the canyons and rock spires below. The trail is a mix of dirt and rock with a couple of spots requiring flexy suspension and high ground clearance. Low-range gearing and durable tires help ensure safe travel to the overlook and camping area. The trail ends in the trees with a couple of rock fire rings dispersed around the area. Please help preserve the area and do not create new campsites. Wood gathering is prohibited, and you must remove all human waste from the area.

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.

This route is a treat if you're an avid hunter of epic views. The end of the track looks directly south, out over the canyon where La Verkin Creek flows down into northern La Verkin, which eventually joins the Virgin River. There is room at the overlook for 2-3 vehicles to park together tightly. Although there is room to camp, there is no established fire ring. A roomy campsite is available at the start of the trail with a stone fire ring and space for a small group.

Located in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, the West Fork Duchesne Road parallels the north side of the West Fork of the Duchesne River for nearly 20 miles, offering access points to the river and an opportunity to see Mother Nature at work. The westernmost trailhead is easily accessible from either Mill Hollow Reservoir or Heber Mountain. Along the trail, you will find many beaver dams, including an entire stand of more than 50 aspen trees felled by beavers.

The road surface is a mix of rock and dirt, mixed with stretches of sand. Driving west to east, the trail eventually turns to well-prepared gravel after leaving the national forest. It ultimately connects with State Route 35, east of Wolf Creek Pass and just a few miles west of Hanna.

Little Mountain is a very lightly used, difficult 4x4 trail hidden within the colorful hills of central Utah. The trail's challenges and views make for a fun and memorable day of wheeling. The route winds through a rocky canyon with narrow ledges, deep washed-out ruts, and one very rocky hill. You'll need high clearance, 4x4 low range, and durable offroad tires. A locker may be required to climb the rocky ledge hill midway through the trail. There was limited camping found in this rugged desert environment.