Utah Off-Road Trails

This easy 0.75-mile trail is a moderate 4x4 trail with tight brush leading to the edge of Bobby's Hole Canyon, where you can see Bobby's Hole, an alcove in the sandstone cliffs. The trail has rock and sandy challenges for stock 4x4s along this twisting trail through the trees. The trail offers unobstructed views of Wind Whistle Rock, a unique natural arch formed on the cliff. No camping is allowed on this route. However, the nearby Wind Whistle Campground has 15 individual campsites and access to a one-mile nature hike.

121 is a simple through-trail connecting Lampstand Road to the eastern paved portion of the Burr Trail. This is a well-maintained dirt road with no obstacles. Camping is limited to a couple of sites near the Burr Trail intersection. The good thing about these sites is that they are some of the few larger campsites in the area, able to accommodate 5-6 rigs and ground tents.

Acting as the main thoroughfare through a network of short spurs, Lampstand Road is a relatively maintained dirt road stretching from the Burr Trail into the Dixie National Forest near Impossible Peak. The bulk of the trail within the BLM boundaries is maintained with nothing more than a small washout slowing you down. Once you cross the border into the National Forest, the trail gets a little rougher with one small patch of exposed rocks where high clearance will be necessary. The trail forks a short distance after this obstacle, with tracks heading both north and south. Although the trail continues, it is severely washed out, and full-size vehicles cannot continue much farther. If you are trying to access the Stair Canyon hiking trail, park at the fork and walk the remaining portion of the trail.

Camping is available in many places along the trail in the form of dispersed camping. The nearest developed camping is Deer Creek Campground, located west on the Burr Trail, or Cedar Mesa Campground on Notom Road Scenic Byway.

Acting as a jumper from Dome Plateau Section 2 to Highlands Road, this entertaining two-mile trail allows users to push the limits of their stock vehicle on a few small rock obstacles. Beginners will enjoy the challenges, while seasoned wheelers will appreciate the break from a normal boring dirt road. Small sections of this trail also allow for a bit more speed, making this a relatively quick trail. No camping is found directly along this trail.

You'll understand the name by traveling up two red dunes to the cliffs overlooking the Backside of Sevenmile Rim. The western trailhead is on Bartlett Wash Road at Waypoint 16. The sand is soft and off-camber in several spots. 4x4 and lower tire pressure are required. The route makes an excellent addition to connecting Bartlett Flat and more. The route has no rock obstacles. If you bypass the out and back spurs the 4.7-mile track can take as little as 15-20 minutes to complete. No camping was found along the route. The dead-end overlooks are turn-around points.

Nestled within the foothills of the Manti-La Sal Mountains, 4718 is a moderate and scenic climb into the pinyon-juniper forest. Used to connect with Slaughter Flats 78, the trail is ideal for stock 4x4s and drivers looking for an adventurous day on the trail. There are no obstacles to mention, but there are long rocky hills with small ledges. The mountain views along the route's northern section are spectacular, but no primitive campsites were found along the trail.

The sense of discovery is strong within Utah's rugged and remote San Rafael Desert. While exploring the countless sandy trails within the region, you're bound to stumble onto unmarked land features that are a total surprise. San Rafael Desert 1940 has one of the most unique discoveries you can find along a trail—a giant bubbling geyser in the middle of nowhere. A large murky bubbling pool of water is along the trail's edge in a wide-open sandy area. Unlike the two other popular area geysers, Crystal Geyser and Chaffin Geyser, this one doesn't appear to be documented. The water is cold and bubbles in the large round pool, overflowing down the slope, creating a trickling tiered landscape.

The soft sand along this scenic trail requires airing down your tire pressure, having 4x4, and high clearance. There are off-camber ruts on the sandy hill and deep washouts along the entire route. Joining the trail with Dry Lake Wash requires a little more courage and 4x4 experience. The sandy bank connecting the two trails is almost vertical and all soft sand. Entering from the eastern trailhead is easiest, leading past a beautiful natural reservoir, the geyser, then an epic campsite on the soft sand above the Green River.

Bobsled Cut Through is a straight-through connector trail between West Rim and John's Trail, traveling west to east, severing the two halves of the Bobsled trail. The surface of Bobsled Cut Through is a mix of sand and slickrock with one small ledge less than 10 inches tall that must be negotiated. Erosion over time could cause this ledge to increase in size, but approach and departure angles should not be an issue. This trail is short and only takes a few minutes to travel. It is a great option for those who just completed John's Trail and want to head over to the more fun optional obstacles along West Rim and Faulty Towers. Bobsled Cut Through 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.

An astonishing overlook awaits the adventurous traveler who ventures way out into this remote region of the San Rafael Swell. Slaughter Slope, on the western rim of The Swell, is a massive geologic upheaval named after a wild horse slaughter in the 1930s. The rather mundane drive up to the cliff edge can reward you with fleeting glimpses of the remaining wild horses. While along the rim, you'll enjoy some of Utah's most spectacular views. The 360° views are like no other place on the planet, and you can camp right there on the rim, or you can find a campsite away from the edge. Durable tires, high clearance, and 4x4 for some vehicles may be required to reach the very end viewpoint. A loose shale rock hill leading to the summit is the most difficult challenge. Steady momentum should carry even the biggest rigs up and over.

D1585 is a short, camping spur road off the popular Poison Spider trail near the Pre-Launch Pad obstacle. This easy sandy road travels a quarter mile west of the main trail to a cliff edge high above the Colorado River. The camp spot at the end is a large, relatively flat slab of slickrock that can accommodate several vehicles.

This road is suitable for any high clearance vehicle.

Easily climbing to over 10,000 feet into the Manti-La Sal National Forest from the small town of Mount Pleasant, UT, trail 37 is a beautiful way to join the famous South Skyline Drive overland route. The trail winds through a scenic canyon as you climb up the western slope of the mountain range. A couple of short side trails lead to free primitive camping. Camping is limited, and no established campgrounds are along the route.

The trail is a mix of dirt and gravel, with narrow upper sections with little room for two vehicles to pass. The trail can be completed in 2WD with high clearance in dry conditions. The upper sections are closed during winter months.

Finding legal camping along Mineral Bottom Road can be confusing. The area has strict camping regulations and designated campsites to help preserve the delicate landscape. Halfway along this 1.2-mile out-and-back trail, there are five designated campsites. Each site is marked with a brown carsonite post. The sites are relatively small, with room for 1-2 vehicles with tents. The ground can be rocky and not very level. The trail to the sites is soft sand with deep ruts before turning to sandstone rocks near the campsites. The trail continues past the designated campsites and dead-ends at a non-descript point in the desert. You can walk a short distance from the campsites for views down into Mineral Canyon. The campsites cannot be reserved and are first come, first served. There are no services or water in these remote camp areas, and you must bring out all human waste. The trail has small rocky ledges and soft washouts that may require 4x4.

Whitney Road starts at SR 150 and ends at the top of the road to the Whitney Reservoir boat launching area. The road is rough and rocky, but most two-wheel drive vehicles with a little bit of ground clearance can make it during normal conditions. This route goes through private property before emerging into a national forest. There are numerous camping areas in the public land portions, which are clearly marked along this route, that can accommodate single vehicles up to large groups of several RVs. There are no improved camp grounds and only a few vault toilets along the route. Whitney Reservoir is a picturesque lake with good fishing and Bald Eagle watching! Kayaking, SUP, and small non-gas vessels are allowed. While this route is a bit rough, that helps to keep the crowds down!

A more challenging trail leading west toward Swasey's Cabin and Eagle Canyon, Earl's Draw is an easy-to-moderate 2.8-mile two-track traveling past several charming campsites. The trail winds through a dry gully with a few short side trails leading to large campsites. Almost all the sites are ideal for a group base camp while exploring the San Rafael Swell trails. The trail is ideal for beginners and stock vehicles with durable tires.

With a butte that looks like a striking rattlesnake and a few mild 4x4 challenges, Rattlesnake Butte is a fun alternative to the area's gravel roads. The trail is a lightly used two-track crossing over the barren San Rafael Desert of central Utah. The trail is a mix of soft sand and sharp rocky climbs that all stock, high clearance 4x4s can easily conquer. The section around Rattlesnake Butte has small rocky ledges on a mild hill. There was no camping found along the route. The trail is an excellent way to connect Saucer Basin to the Goblin Valley area.

Traveling through the Utah Rims area, just west of the Utah and Colorado state line, May Flat is a unique alternative to the paved highways of eastern Utah. The trail begins at an intersection with Harley's Dome, passes under I-70, and follows Bitter Creek. Small obstacles on the trail's eastern half are impossible for low-clearance vehicles. These obstacles include a 10" slickrock ledge and multiple steep ravine crossings. After passing the Zion Curtain trail, the western half of the trail is a relatively smooth road with occasional exposed rocks and washboard before ending back at I-70 at exit 227.

Stock, high clearance vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs will have no problem along this trail but could find themselves using 4WD in a few spots depending on vehicle length and clearance. Attempt this trail only in dry conditions. Wet weather can quickly turn the road surface into an impassable greasy, sticky mess.

Large dispersed camping areas, suitable for boondocking, are found on the trail's eastern end. Please remember to pack out everything you pack in, including human waste.

Railroad Bed Road is a common thoroughfare when exploring the West Desert and the Tintic Mountains. Connecting the 5 Mile Recreation Area to the East Tintic Mountains, this occasionally maintained road is much quicker than heading back to Redwood Road and running along Utah Lake. Occasional ruts from large storms are the only obstacle, and you can often pick up some speed along this trail. Just be respectful of others on the trail, as it is often very dusty. This trail is also part of the large Prospector Trail Network. Camping can be found on the northern end, in the 5 Mile Recreation Area, where pit toilets are available.

The proper 4x4 portion of the Rustler trail network rewards the ambitious traveler with amazing views very few have ever seen. The trail is tight and twisty through the trees along the rim. At numerous points, you can take a short walk to cliff-edge views of the Canyonlands, 2000 feet below. The trail has rocky sections requiring high clearance, 4x4, and durable offroad-type tires. It's bumpy, and your vehicle will get pinstripes. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the loop to the epic camping at the end of the Rustler Spur trail.