Utah Off-Road Trails

High in the beautiful Heber Mountain area of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Low Pass Creek trail is a slightly challenging road largely inaccessible by the camper and fifth wheels that dominate this popular area. The views throughout this trail are stunning.

Campsites are everywhere along Low Creek Pass. From small spots nestled in the aspen groves to larger multi-vehicle camp areas, this trail offers a range of options while still having more privacy and quiet from the main dirt roads.

The trail is rocky and has deep potholes and mild elevation changes. Note that the trail goes from easy to difficult after a rainstorm.

The Simplot Dugway is a classic Utah dugway road, switch-backing steeply up a series of seemingly impossible cliffs to connect the Poison Springs road to the road on top of Big Ridge. Originally built in the 1950s, the road fell into disrepair and for decades was only passable to dirt bikes or on foot. But in 2020, Garfield County rebuilt the road and cleared the rockslides that had long buried it. It is now a moderate four-wheel-drive road that is regularly maintained by the county, most recently in the spring of 2025. It was reaffirmed as a designated route open to all vehicles in the 2025 BLM Henry Mountains Fremont Gorge travel plan, and is the only way that unlicensed vehicles can access the top of Big Ridge, since they are not allowed on Flint Trail or the portion of the Big Ridge road in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

If the road has been maintained recently, its difficulty should be similar to that of the Flint Trail switchbacks, with lots of steep, tight switchbacks but no major obstacles. However, it is subject to severe erosion from major rainstorms, which can cause it to narrow over time and render it impassable to full-size vehicles until the county rebuilds it. Check with the Hans Flat Ranger Station or the Garfield County roads department to confirm its current status before planning to drive it.

Starting from the intersection with Poison Springs Road at the bottom, the road crosses an open field before reaching the base of the cliffs at the bottom of Big Ridge. From there, it climbs steeply up the side of the mesa, with numerous tight switchbacks and sections of narrow shelf road clinging precariously to the cliff face. If you hate shelf roads, this is probably not the trail for you. There is a spot about halfway up that is the most likely to wash out in a major rainstorm. If you make it past that, you should be good. Before you know it, you're at the top and can continue on Big Ridge Road.

There are no campsites along this road, but you should be able to find a place to camp near the top of Big Ridge.

Hugging up against the Molen Reef, NF-3498 is an easy jaunt taking you from Moore Cutoff Road to Horn Silver Gulch/Dutch Flat Road. This is a mellow trail suitable for any driver looking to get out and enjoy the San Rafael Swell's incredible views. Camping is also amazing along this route and away from the major crowds of the Swell.

This is a short, looping side trail off the Upper Hunter Rim trail, which goes out to a spectacular overlook on a rocky point along the rim of Hunter Canyon, looking across to the stunning rock fins of the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area. Aside from that rocky point, the rest of the trail is easy sand. While there are no established campsites with fire rings along this trail, there are a couple of sheltered flat areas at the base of sandstone pinnacles that would make good campsites.

Named after Perrigrine Sessions, who founded the original Sessions Settlement (later renamed Bountiful) in 1847, Sessions Mountain Road winds along a ridgeline with sweeping views of the Salt Lake and Morgan Valleys. The gravel and rock access road climbs steadily from Bountiful, eventually reaching the crest where travelers can turn south onto Sessions Mountain Road. The trail gently traverses wildflower-filled meadows and ridgelines before growing more challenging in its final mile, where two steep descents, and the climbs back out, raise the difficulty. Around mile 3.5, erosion has created a precarious drop, though an alternate bypass exists. Just beyond, a rocky knoll near mile 3.7 offers an outstanding overlook of the surrounding range, including a clear view of Grandview Peak. Along the route are several inviting campsites and side trails, and the area connects well to the Great Western Trail system, making it a worthy destination for both off-roaders and backcountry adventurers.

Winding its way from North Dragon, Mary's Lake is an easy route taking users through the Manti-La Sal National Forest to the base of the Wagon Road Ridge. This trail offers no major obstacles but often has mud puddles, even late in the season. Switching from juniper and pinyon trees to bright green aspens and towering pines, this forest trail delights with stunning views, lush forest, and the prize at the end of Mary's Lake, a quaint, peaceful mountain oasis.

Do this trail if only for the views. Whites Flat, also known as Hog Ranch, is a connector running between North Creek and Smooth Knoll Road with fantastic views of the varying topography north of Escalante, UT, and the drastic formations of the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness.

Although camping is not abundant on Whites Flat, there is a nice spot roughly 3.5 miles from the southern end of the trail, while North Creek and Hells Backbone provide additional opportunities. The trail is maintained and well-traveled, so there are no obstacles; however, a few blind corners with expansive views off the side of the mountain will leave you with a feeling of nearly driving off the edge of the world.

If you are a piñon gatherer, keep this area in mind for good harvest years!

Taking this short, moderate 4x4 trail past Beehive Butte is an excellent addition to many other trails that crisscross this lesser-used region of Moab. The trail drives right up to and past the eastern side of the lone-standing Beehive Butte. The trail has a couple of mild rocky sections that are ideal for beginners and stock-type vehicles. You need 4x4, high-clearance, and durable tires to complete the 1.9-mile route. There were no campsites along this route.

Beginning in the tiny community of Old La Sal in eastern Utah, Lower Two Mile Road is an offroad scenic drive into the western Colorado foothills and the Manti-La Sal National Forest. This leisurely, winding 14-mile cruise through the pine trees has fleeting views of the Manti-La Sal Mountains. The trail is relatively smooth, hard pack dirt and one switchback turn with soft sand. The trail can be completed in 2WD with durable tires and high ground clearance. The northern section follows along the state line before connecting with Paradox Road. The camping is limited to only a couple of spots. The best campsite is closer to the southern trailhead and has a beautiful mountain view and room for 2-3 vehicles with tents. In the winter, the trail can be impassable due to snow.

This is a great off-road trail if you're looking to get away from the crowds of Salt Lake City. It is a short drive from the Wasatch Front and far less popular than 5 Mile Recreation Area just north of here. With it being less known, you will likely be alone all day with the possibility of an occasional vehicle rolling by. The scenery in the Tintic Mountains is unique to the West Desert of Utah. Although you may not find any challenges here, it will be a nice and peaceful getaway.

Crossing grassy meadows with views of the distant buttes, D1000 is a scenic and moderate alternative when entering this vast network of enjoyable 4x4 trails outside Moab. Between the sandy two-track, the trail easily crosses a few rocky sections requiring high-clearance and durable offroad-type tires. At the western trailhead is the lone campsite found along the route. The site is large enough for a couple of vehicles with tents and has spectacular views of the surrounding desert.

Split into two sections, 22 Mayfield is the Manti-La Sal National Forest access road along the western slope of the mountain range. 22 trail is used to easily crossover between the two small towns, Mayfield and Ferron. The Mayfield side begins as an easy gravel road with numerous blind corners on the shelf road. The road is maintained gravel but can be bumpy with washboards. There are narrow sections and blind turns, so caution should be used; large campers are often on the road. The entire route can be completed in high clearance 2WD vehicles in dry conditions. The trail is closed during the winter months. A winter gate is near the halfway point up the mountain.

Dispersed free camping can be found on short pull-off sites. Or you can choose to stay at the Twin Lakes, a nice campground near the lakes with vault toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables.

Rattlesnake Gulch Overlook is another opportunity for epic views along the Toquerville Falls trail. The end of the easy track looks south, out over the canyon and down into northern La Verkin. This overlook has an established rock fire ring and space for two vehicles to camp together comfortably.

Near the end of Upper Setting is this surprise of a trail. Not many trails in the Uintas force you into 4WD, but this one just might. Its loose sharp rocks deter the average vehicle with street tires and low clearance. Camping is satisfactory in many spots, distancing you from the more popular sights closer to the Mirror Lake Highway. Be sure to venture down this spur if you are aired down and ready for adventure.

Branching off near the pond along San Rafael Desert 9140, 9142 is a sandy scenic two-track to a remote primitive campsite along the banks of the Green River. This lightly used out-and-back trail takes about 30 minutes to easily reach the end, where a small camp sits above the gently flowing river. The trail conditions are the same as you experienced along 9140, all soft sand with the occasional deep washout. If you want to escape everything and everyone, try camping at the trail's end.

If you're the adventurous type seeking the lesser-traveled trail, bushwhacking and rock crawling through remote Camel Wash is made for you. This very lightly used canyon is far out in the northern region of the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, where very few full-size vehicles travel. The trail is almost "virgin" in spots, with the driver having to find their way through the brush, over boulders, up and down near vertical dirt embankments, all while staying on track. The trail is best traveled in either direction, the easiest being the flats on the western end. Combined with Neversweat and Grey Flats, it creates a fantastic rock-crawling scenic loop. No established campsites were noted along this trail, but a small group could use numerous flat and open areas on the BLM Land. You will need rock crawling experience and a reliable 4x4 vehicle with durable tires and high clearance.

The northeast loop is a moderately rocky and sandy half-circle that treks along the northeasternmost boundary of the Sand Mountain OHV Area. Due to a steep, ledgy, and loose hill at the northern end of the loop, this trail is best run in the counterclockwise direction. It can be used as a scenic loop to admire fantastic views of Sand Hollow Reservoir, the Hurricane Cliffs, Mollies Nipple, and Grass Valley, or used as a connector between the extreme trails of Sandthrax and Dekleined.

The southern end of the loop starts by bypassing the fins along Razzle Dazzle and traverses several chunky slickrock sections that can be extremely rough and bouncy. The trek then smooths out and becomes easy for a while, traversing mostly sand and a few slickrock slabs. The trail then turns north and passes several connecting roads that lead down to the East Rim trail or the Arizona Strip Road before hitting a patch of private property and turning west. At this point, you will be required to descend a fairly steep, 22-degree hill that offers two lines; One with several rocky ledges and the other with soft, loose sand. This hill is nearly impossible to climb and has no bypass route. The trail then treks along Dekliened before ending near the start of Razzle Dazzle.

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.

Silver Meadows is a popular, well-traveled forest service road leading to an abundance of camping. Aside from a few blind curves and occasional potholes, this trail has nothing in the way of obstacles, making it suitable for just about any vehicle with a moderate amount of clearance. Connecting this with Rhodes Canyon, Soapstone Creek, and Soapstone Basin creates a fantastic loop to explore the fresh Uinta air. Camping is abundant and offers great places to pitch a tent, set up a hammock, or pull your trailer into. Sites range in size from 2-3 vehicles up to multiple RV's. All camping along Silver Meadows is dispersed and offers no amenities.

If isolation is your goal, then this might be your trail. Near the end of Upper Setting is this unsuspecting, unmaintained spur leading you to Castle Lake. Although it may not require a well-built vehicle or even 4WD, the occasional rocks and mud puddles keep the low clearance crowd away. Once you reach the end, you are treated to a single, solo campsite right near the edge of the lake. A short walk takes you down to the water, where you can enjoy pure solitude.