Utah Off-Road Trails

A quick trail from Highway 313 to Island in the Sky, this jumper is a great choice for those looking to camp. Cowboy Camp Campground is located right off the pavement and offers toilets, tables, and fire rings. There is a fee to camp, although based on the views, it's worth it. Beyond the campground, the trail works downhill until it meets up with Mineral Bottom Road at Waypoint 4. There are no major obstacles, so beginners and stock vehicles will have no issues with this trail.

Baptist Draw is a 5.5-mile spur off McKay Flats leading to a beautiful overlook at the edge of the Little Ocean Draw Wilderness. Although it is an easy journey over the packed dirt portions, the trail is rough in a few spots with loose and embedded rocks ranging in size up to about soft-ball size, so be sure to air down your tires. One patch of the trail has a small rocky rut cutting across, so take it slow. 4WD will not be necessary, but high clearance is recommended. At the trail's end lies impressive views of the surrounding Swell, including Temple Mountain, Behind the Reef, and even a distant view of the Henry Mountains. Dispersed camping is available in a few locations along the trail, as well as at the end, where a number of both small and large sites line the rim. The area offers no amenities, and the closest town is almost an hour away. Enjoy the solitude!

This point-to-point route starts at the intersection with Whitney Road and dead ends about a half mile past the intersection with Gold Hill Pass Road. It is a relatively flat and easy drive that has numerous camping options, including some areas for large groups and RVs. If you plan on parking and using any recreation facility, don't forget that day-use permits are required and available at any of the many self-service permit areas along the Mirror Lake Highway.

Experience a remote and colorfully rugged landscape all to yourself. Traveling out to the remote Red Wash, D2800 is a scenic out-and-back trail to a network of red wall canyons and access to the Dead Cow dirtbike trail. The trail has long sections of loose sand and bump rock that require high clearance and durable tires. The trail ends above Red Wash, where the protected boundary is clearly marked. The trail does not have any camping.

Continue your San Rafael 4x4 adventure with Big Hole Wash, a moderate 5-mile crossover. The trail has a few mild challenges for stock 4x4s. There are numerous deep washouts and one loose dirt hill. The trail has a couple of good-sized campsites with rock fire circles. Near the trail's eastern end is an old stone culvert left over from the Spirit Railroad that ran across the area over 140 years ago. The sandstone rocks are still standing in their original condition, but all the ground has washed away around them, creating a unique rock formation.

Brush Creek Road is a public through road winding its way between parcels of private and BLM land. This trail is primarily used to drive from Diamond Mountain Road up to the northern and eastern sides of Red Fleet Reservoir, in addition to private housing access. There are no obstacles as this is a maintained road, but there are occasional hills to climb. These hills could be a challenge in 2WD if they are wet. Please drive respectfully, as many locals use this road to and from home. Camping is not found anywhere along this trail.

Lower Rishel Peak Road is a short route between Rishel Peak and Silver Island Loop Road. The real exciting feature of this road is its access to Cave Road, a very short spur off Lower Rishel Peak Road that leads to one of the many caves in the area. The cave is at the top of a steep, approximately 21-degree climb, pictured as the Hardest Part. A low-range transfer case makes the descent down the hill much safer when leaving the cave. There are two additional campsites along Lower Rishel Peak Road. The first is suitable for multiple vehicles and off Silver Island Loop Road. The second is closer to the Rishel Peak end of the trail.

Most trails and camping along the southern-facing side of the Silver Island Mountains look directly out across the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats, a 30,000-acre expanse of hard, white salt crust on the western edge of the Great Salt Lake basin. The Salt Flats are a remnant of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, which covered over one-third of Utah from 10,000 to 32,000 years ago. Today, the Salt Flats are a BLM special recreation management area open to the public and motorized vehicles and even hosts the annual Speedweek land speed races.

Driving on the Bonneville Salt Flats when wet and camping directly on the Salt Flats is expressly prohibited by the BLM, as stated on the Salt Flats website and signage posted on the Bonneville Speedway Access Road. Please respect management agency regulations and help to protect the top layer crust of the Salt Flats for many decades to come.

Three Canyon is a short and easy trail leading to an overlook of the Green River within Labyrinth Canyon and the Three Canyon hiking trail. The trail is easy enough in 2WD with high clearance and durable tires. Certain vehicles may need 4x4 for the one rise with a small rock ledge. The surrounding canyons offer spectacular views of this rugged landscape. No camping was found along the trail.

Traveling east to west and carving its way across the front side of Sand Mountain, through a maze of steep sandstone ledges, vertical waterfalls, and narrow ravines, Papa Smurf is a technical trail with a relentless sequence of obstacles. This trail begins off the East Fenceline road and starts somewhat slow with a few wedge obstacles to get your feet wet before dropping you into the top of Arrowhead Canyon, where you begin the constant barrage of obstacles. Dropping into Arrowhead Canyon is a point of no return. Whether you continue on or turn around, the only way out is up a steep, curving slickrock canyon wall. The route continues threading through deep slickrock canyons where precise tire placement and throttle control are essential. Several climbs are near vertical, demanding both articulation and momentum, while the off-camber transitions challenge even experienced drivers to keep all four tires grounded. After traveling close to The Chute, the trail plots a course through several tight ravines with another onslaught of wedge and pinchpoint-type waterfalls, before casually ending along a plateau that leads to The Fallen, Sand Dune Way, or back to The Chute.

Papa Smurf's terrain alternates between grippy slickrock and loose, sandy shelves with little traction. Lockers and rock sliders are essential on this trail. Drivers should expect potential body contact, off-camber leans, and the need for a winch or spotter assistance on select obstacles.

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.

As the name suggests, this short jumper takes you from 4885 to 4939, bypassing the second portion of Ridgeline. This sandy trail has a steep hill climb near its southern end. 4WD may be required to ascend this hill, as it is bumpy enough that you cannot go fast. This is the ticket if you want to get to West Rim quicker.

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.

Traveling along the high desert northwestern edge of Fishlake National Forest, Lost Creek Road winds through a lush and scenic canyon with numerous water crossings, even in the summer months. Lost Creek is fed from the reservoirs higher up in the Fishlake National Forest, creating crystal clear, chilly water that is inviting on a summer day. The trail's northern section is well-graded and maintained, while the middle and southern sections have shallow water crossings, deep dry ruts, and washouts that warrant the need for high clearance and, at times, 4WD. The trail is wide enough for all full-size overland camper vehicles and trailers. Camping is limited to only a few spots, and none of the small pull-off type sites are on the brush-lined creek. Abundant and scenic camping by the lake can be found along the nearby Lost Creek-Rex Reservoir.

Acting as the only connector between Mill Creek Road and China Meadows, Blacks Fork is a slightly less-maintained, bumpy dirt road climbing to over 9,800 feet in elevation as it winds 12.8 miles through the north end of the Uinta Mountains. Despite not offering direct access to many of the activities that this region is known for, Blacks Fork makes a great addition to an extended overland adventure across the thick forests of northeastern Utah.

Camping is rather limited and comes in the form of scattered, dispersed sites. Most of the sites lie near either end of the trail, and none of them are very large, with room for only a handful of vehicles. If you are looking for more developed camping, there are many campgrounds along either Mill Creek Road or China Meadows.

D1503 is a mundane route that will connect you quickly between Spring Canyon Bottom and Deadman Point. The road can be driven in either direction. The only obstacle on the trail is where it meets Spring Canyon Bottom on the north. As you drive this road, you travel mainly through an open prairie-type environment with views of the Henry Mountains far in the distance. Please note that you will find several closed roads in the area that look well-traveled; they are, in fact, closed as of late 2023. Suitable camping is not found along this route.

Eze Peezy is an approachable trail designed for new off-roaders and stock vehicles, offering a fun way to get familiar with your rig. This straight-through connector weaves across popular hard routes on the west side of Sand Mountain, including John’s Trail, Rollercoaster, and Sliplock Gulch, making it an excellent observation trail to watch others tackle tougher challenges.

The route itself is a mix of rough sand, scattered rock, and rolling slickrock. It can be traveled in either direction, though it’s slightly tougher east to west. The most notable obstacles appear where it crosses John’s Trail on the far western edge. There you can expect to encounter a blind, off-camber drop and a 2-foot waterfall climb. Stock vehicles may scrape on those obstacles, but both have easier bypasses. Overall, the trail is bumpy with occasional off-camber sections, yet it remains non-technical. Drivers of long-wheelbase rigs or vehicles with low departure angles should expect to drag the rear in a few spots.

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.

This combination of trails, when driven from south to north, provides one of the more unique viewing opportunities of Tombstone Rock. When driving south to north, you will quickly lose elevation and face many mild obstacles, all on slickrock. It can be driven in any direction, starting from or going towards the famed Dellenbaugh Tunnel trail. Note that the spur leading west dead-ends into a clearing, which could be a good spot for lunch. Any high-clearance stock SUV with low gears will be able to manage without issue. Various maps or other services will also call this part of the Secret Spire Route. There are no camping opportunities.

When driving the famed Lost World Route, D2707 can be an add-on to extend your day and see new sights. It can be driven in any direction. The road is mostly sand with a few sections of slickrock, none of which is difficult and suitable for any high-clearance vehicle. There is evidence the area was once ripe with ranching, with a decrepit pump station providing the quintessential wild west vibe.  Suitable camping was not found along the route. 

The trail begins in desert terrain and gradually ascends to an elevation of almost 7,200 feet, where it winds through a forested area. While the initial sections are relatively smooth, the trail becomes increasingly bumpy, narrow, and overgrown after the 4th mile. Water runoff during rainfall can make this section particularly hazardous. Despite being accessible to full-size trucks, the trail may feel somewhat constricted in certain areas.

As the trail reaches its climax, it transitions onto a bushy shelf road, offering breathtaking views amidst the trees. The end of the trail features a spacious camping area and staging ground, complete with a watering tank and connections to hiking routes. Please note that mosquito repellent and netting are essential due to the high concentration of mosquitoes in the area. Several campsites are available along the trail, with the final site offering a cooler and more shaded environment.

Water Tank Alternate is a straight-through sandy route that parallels Water Tank Road within the Sand Mountain OHV Area. This alternate is generally a much smoother and faster trek between Waddy's Coral and West Fenceline. The entire route is soft sand with sections of deep whoops. The northern end is a single-lane track passing through scrub brush and cacti, while the southern end is a wide, open patch of rolling sand dunes. This trail is suitable for any high clearance 4x4 vehicle, and airing down will be required to traverse the soft sand safely.

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.

Rustlers Cutoff is part of the four-trail Rustlers network of 4x4 routes north of the Needles Overlook. It's a short sandy trail between Rustlers Loop and Rustler Spur. The soft sand may require vehicles to use 4WD. There is no camping along the route, but excellent camping is at the end of Rustlers Spur.

Looping around and joining 121 to the Burr Trail pavement is Sinkholes, an unmaintained 2-track through junipers, pinyons, and open fields of sagebrush. This trail has a few minor washouts where high clearance is necessary. Even with the washouts, 2WD should be adequate to handle this bumpy trail. Despite the name, no sinkholes were found along the trail! The closest thing you will find is the large ravine alongside the southern end of the trail, with clear evidence of major flash floods. Camping is relatively limited to a few small campsites that may accommodate 1-2 vehicles each.