Utah Off-Road Trails

The Big Thompson Mesa Road in southern Utah offers a scenic drive through the heart of the region’s striking desert landscapes. This rough dirt road winds through the high desert, providing access to remote areas of natural beauty, including red rock formations, expansive mesas, and sweeping views of the surrounding canyons and valleys, including Water Pocket Fold. Although it is not as well known, Big Thompson Mesa Road is a worthy trip for offroad enthusiasts and adventurous travelers seeking a more isolated, off-the-beaten-path experience. The area’s rich geological features and dramatic vistas make it a hidden gem for those exploring southern Utah’s wild landscapes away from the more crowded tourist spots.

West Arths Rim is a scenic and rarely visited side spur off the Metal Masher Jeep Safari trail, which leads out to a spectacular scenic overlook looking down on Highway 313 and across to Seven Mile Rim. Prior to the trail closures in 2023, it formed a loop with another road that followed the cliff tops along Arths Rim back around to connect to Metal Masher, but that road was closed. Now, it is just an out-and-back spur accessed from the optional Widow Maker branch of Metal Masher. This route splits off before the actual Widow Maker Hill and the portion of the Widow Maker trail between it and the eastern junction with Metal Masher is easy, so any vehicle can reach it. While the trail is mostly rocky with broken slickrock, there are no real obstacles, and any 4x4 should be able to drive it.

The trail starts at an unmarked and easy to miss intersection in a grassy meadow that may be overgrown. It then descends into and crosses a small valley before climbing up the ridge to Arths Rim. The final climb to the edge of the rim crosses a large slickrock slab with scraped aside rocks marking the path. The road reaches the rim at a spectacular overlook marked with a large rock cairn. This is the main attraction of the trail, with views looking out the opening of Seven Mile Canyon along Highway 313 and to the east up Box Canyon and across to Heatwave Butte.

The road actually continues a short distance past the main overlook, turning back to the west, where it dead-ends at a flat parking area. You can park here and then walk a short distance out to the end of the point, which has amazing views up and down Seven Mile Canyon and some fun rock scrambling. While this spot would make a great campsite, camping is prohibited along most of this trail except near the beginning at the junction with the Widow Maker trail.

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.

This short spur off the Pritchett Canyon trail leads to the hiking trailhead for the majestic Pritchett Arch, which is approximately a half-mile hike away. You can also see Cummings Arch on the way to Pritchett Arch, though it is less impressive as it is more of a skylight than an arch. Pritchett Arch is similar to Corona Arch but larger and without the crowds. Because this area is so remote, you will likely be the only one there.

This road can be accessed without driving the major obstacles of Pritchett Canyon. To reach the start of the trail, come in on Behind the Rocks Road, which is itself a difficult level trail past the end of the Behind the Rocks safari trail. The road to the Pritchett Arch trailhead is mostly an easy sand road. However, there is one large, roughly two-foot ledge on the loop in the parking area at the end that can catch you by surprise when leaving. Though most people would only park along this road for day hiking, the trailhead is in a sheltered area that would also make a good campsite. This trail is suitable for any high clearance vehicle.

Black Ridge is a moderate connector trail with sprawling views of the Manti-La Sal Mountains. This mild 4x4 trail is perfect for the adventurous type seeking lesser-used paths. Connecting with Slaughter Flats 78 creates a scenic and historical tour of this little-used area south of Moab, Utah. The trail is a mix of dirt and graded rock, with a few mild hills. Portions of the trail are slow going and bumpy, and the brush will become very tight once you climb into the trees. No established primitive campsites were found along this route, but the other connecting trails offer sites with mountain views.

Crossing over a rugged and scenic landscape, 9175 is a 5.4-mile moderately difficult trail within the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area of Central Utah. The trail is ideal for the overland adventurer who wants to continue their route on these remote desert trails and stay off the gravel roads. Connecting Lower San Rafael Road to Nine Mile Reservoir gets you closer to the area with the most popular trails like Black Dragon Wash. The trail has mild 4x4 challenges requiring high ground clearance and durable off-road tires. The sandy dirt is soft, and there are blind washout ruts that could destroy the front suspension, so take it easy. Camping is abundant along the route. Numerous smooth flat dirt patches would make an ideal spot to stay under an endless blanket of stars.

Easily following along Sevenmile Canyon, Zephyr Loop travels across very mild Moab terrain, while offering wonderful views. Stock-type 4x4s, with high ground clearance, can traverse along the northern edge of the scenic Sevenmile Canyon. The trail has small rock steps and a long stretch in a sandy wash. The sand can be soft, at times, requiring the use of four-wheel drive. For a short while, you will travel into the Arches National Park; no fee is required. No established campsites are found along the route.

Although just a short spur off of Reservation Ridge, this stunning offroad trail will give you some incredible sights of the Uinta Mountains just southeast of Strawberry Reservoir. Many years ago, a wildfire burned through the area scorching the land. With the passing years since the fire, the grasses and wildflowers have grown back in creating a very unique and beautiful landscape. There are an endless amount of colors to see in the springtime with all of the flowers blooming. Wildlife is also abundant from butterflies and deer to black bears and mountain lions. This spur is sure to provide many photographic opportunities so be sure to take this three and a half mile trail to the end and have your camera charged and ready!

West Secret Spire runs between Spring Canyon Point and BLM 338 North. The road is unmaintained by the BLM and connects to the network of trails in this area along the Green River. This trail isn't difficult and is a great way to see the scenery in the area while likely not running into anyone.

D1228 is a vital connector when exploring all the scenic overlooks or looking for the perfect campsite. The trail has a couple of challenges for 4x4 vehicles. There are vertical rock ledges that require low-range gearing and clearance. The challenges are few and ideal for stock-type 4x4 vehicles driven by less experienced drivers. One small campsite with room for a single vehicle sits along the route. Additional camping at the end of the overlook spur trails has fantastic views above Shafer Canyon.

Middle Fenceline is a moderate access route between Sand Dune Way and Water Tank Road and is commonly used as an exit route from Milts Mile. The trail is extremely sandy, with large dunes along the east side. Users must negotiate occasional slickrock ledges under 12" and periodic protruding rock. Navigation from Milts Mile to the Water Tanks is simple as you follow along the south side of the fence. East of Milts Mile, navigation can be complicated and changes from time to time due to shifting sands. Traction can sometimes be difficult, but this trail suits any stock high clearance vehicle with aired-down tires.

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.

Indian Canyon Road is a short and easy spur off Hell Dive Canyon trail that accesss an overlook and hiking trailhead at the head of Indian Canyon. It ends at the trailhead for a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike to the South Fork Indian Canyon Pictographs, with a developed BLM interpretive site. This trail has no significant obstacles, but four-wheel drive is required due to its sandy surface. There are no established campsites along this road.

Beginning at the Joe's Valley Reservoir, 8 Ephraim Road quickly climbs the switchbacks into the Manti-La Sal National Forest and connects with the famous South Skyline Road at over 10,000 feet. The trail easy-graded gravel road is closed during winter months. In dry conditions, the trail can be completed in 2WD. The side trails leading to camping require high ground clearance and possibly 4x4 for deep ruts.

The scenic trail passes flowing creeks. Short side trails end at remote lakes, the Sealy Ranger Cabin, and the old Ephraim Tunnel built in 1937. There are multiple dispersed campsites in the trees along the trail.

Spanning between BLM and UFSF land, this wonderful canyon drive rewards users with access to numerous lakes with great fishing, hiking trail access, endless camping, and varying unique terrain that this region of Utah is known for. Beginning on BLM land, the road is relatively straight and flat while you wind through patches of sandstone cliffs dotted with pinyon and juniper trees. As you wind your way beyond North Creek Reservoir and USFS land, the trail begins to climb higher in elevation and shifts into a pine forest environment. The final couple of miles are a narrow and winding road, yet still maintained, climbing to Barker Recreation Area Campground and Barker Reservoir, where users can kayak, paddle board, fish, or enjoy the serene tranquility of the forest.

Dispersed camping can be found along the trail in random locations, while developed camping is located near the end of the trail at Barker Recreation Area Campground. This campground provides 13 designated sites with fire rings and tables, water, and pit toilets for a fee during its open season (typically May through September).

Rising 11,360 feet above sea level, the Abajo Mountains are rich in history as well as scenic beauty. The region has a rich history of early western settlers, an abundance of pictographs, petroglyphs, cliff dwellings, arrowheads and pottery left by the Anasazi Indians who came before. The remote camping of this short off-road trail offers you an ideal basecamp to explore the vast network of scenic 4x4 trails that crisscross the mountain range. There are numerous lakes and ponds in the area that are popular for trout fishing. When you feel you have had enough of driving for the day, consider all of the hiking and mountain biking trails within the area.

D1700 is a short, straight-through spur road off Long Canyon that leads past a gas well and back to Long Canyon. The road is an easy, hardpacked two-track offering great views of the La Sal Mountains. Camping is not allowed for the first half mile along the western end, but no pre-established campsites exist along the remainder of the road. This trail is suitable for any vehicle with decent ground clearance.

This extremely scenic side spur off the Little Baullie Mesa trail follows the northeastern rim of Arch Canyon out to a spectacular viewpoint looking down into the canyon and the end of the trail. The trail surface is mostly soft sand, crossing grassy dunes near the canyon's rim. Nothing too challenging, but there is potential to get stuck in the sand. This trail is rarely used and somewhat overgrown, so expect pinstriping. The few that venture down this trail are rewarded with one of the best viewpoints of Arch Canyon in the area, making an excellent campsite on a multi-day overlanding trip from Hotel Rock up into the Manti-La Sal National Forest.

Nine Mile Reservoir is a 6.3-mile semi-maintained dirt and rock road that connects with numerous other trails in this region of the San Rafael Swell and takes about 30 minutes to complete. This remote, lonely area can be easily reached in stock-type vehicles with AWD and high clearance. Rocks along the route can be sharp, so please ensure you have durable tires. In wet conditions, the trail would be impassable. There is camping along the way to the end, but the best site is at the spur before the end of the track. The 9110 sign indicates a turn-around campsite on the edge of a cliff with spectacular views. Sunset and sunrise from this campsite are amazing. The trail used to continue down into the valley below but is now severely washed out and only open to dirt bikes & ATVs.

Go back in time and travel in the steps of the original settlers along the Gillis Ranch trail. The trail is a long, scenic tour of this remote, colorful part of the San Rafael Desert. The trail travels along a sandy and rocky track over rolling hills and the flood plains along the San Rafael River. There are two spots to enjoy the river. Near the western end are the old log cabins of Gillis Ranch. Three original cabins still stand, showing how they lived in this harsh landscape. You may need four-wheel drive on the soft sand and mild rocky hills. There are narrow ledges and a very tight switchback turn with Moab-like views. Camping is surprisingly limited to nonexistent along the route, but there are open sandy areas where you can set up for the night.