Utah Off-Road Trails

Norway S13 is a great little spur off of Norway Flat. It resides within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest which is home to thousands of miles of forest roads, along with endless camping, fishing, and many other recreational activities. S13 takes you to a great campsite on a small lake that would be a fantastic spot to kayak or paddleboard. The trail is not challenging and is suitable for any high clearance vehicle. Be sure to check this one out if you are in the area!

Climbing over the Blue Hills, Crystal Spring is a rugged but visually rewarding experience. The trail's multiple challenges include loose rocky hills and vertical rock ledges that can be navigated by stock high clearance 4x4 vehicles with low-range gearing. You'll need durable and aggressive tires to travel the entire route safely. While not an all-day adventure, connecting this trail with other challenging trails in the area makes for an enjoyable day in this colorful desert. Camping was sparse, with only one site on the trail, but it's nice.

Leaving from Soapstone Basin within a group of campsites, Lambert Hollow is a bumpy, unmaintained forest service road with an abrupt ending. Although the majority of this trail is easy, there are a few patches where water runoff has caused rocks to become exposed and ruts to form. 4 low is beneficial, especially when the rocks are slick from recent rain. This trail once continued up Iron Mine Mountain but is now closed to motorized use before reaching the peak. Most of the good large campsites are right at the trailhead, but a few smaller and more private sites are scattered along the way. All of the camping options are dispersed, with no amenities offered.

A combination of BLM trail numbers is technically labeled as Jug Rock Spring Canyon Link. Other maps and sources will also show this as part of the Easter Jeep Safari Secret Spire Route. It can be driven in any direction, with the road changing from dirt two-track to a section of slickrock near the southern end. Depending on which direction you drive the trail, there is a significant elevation change nearer the southern end, presenting a sustained climb/descent and quick slickrock pitches to negotiate. The trail is suitable for any high-clearance stock SUV with low gearing. There is no dispersed camping along the route.

122 is a short camping spur leading off Lampstand Road and back to the cliffs. At the end, you will find evidence of an old corral and a dirty water tank. The only "moderately" difficult portions of the trail lie after the final camping options once you hit the final few hundred yards of trail. Washouts have caused deep ruts that will flex a stock suspension. If you are just interested in camping, this trail is just a bumpy dirt road. Camping is all small and only suitable for 1-2 vehicles.

Thousand Lakes Mountain Road is a scenic traverse from the Capital Reef desert to the tall pines within Fishlake National Forest. Also known as Polk Creek Road, this maintained dirt and rock trail winds its way between vastly different environments. One minute you’re surrounded by pines and colorful aspen, with snow in the shady spots, the next, you’re in sandy desert scrub brush with towering buttes. In dry conditions, this semi-maintained dirt and rock road can be completed in 2WD vehicles equipped with durable tires. Camping within the National Forest boundary is abundant. There are numerous campsites with flat grassy areas and breathtaking, unobstructed sunrise views across the San Rafael Swell. The trail is only open during dry conditions; winter months are dependent on the snow melt. 

Beginning near the beautiful Joes Valley Reservoir, North Dragon takes users south on a maintained dirt road through juniper and pinyon trees in the Manti-La Sal National Forest. The only obstacles are traffic jams with cattle that roam the area. Giving users access to a network of trails, North Dragon is a great option to start your day or weekend excursion. Campsites are scattered throughout the trail.

The name North Dragon and road number 50170 continue south but have a completely different feel and difficulty, hence the split into two trails. If you are a 2-wheel drive vehicle without decent clearance, this northern portion of North Dragon is all you will want to drive.

BLM 186 has no official name. The Bureau of Land Management designates it a "B" road, which receives maintenance from time to time. It is suitable for any high-clearance vehicle in dry conditions. It follows along the top contour of the first bench that starts to form the famed Book Cliffs. On the north side of the road are towering cliffs, and on the south side, erosion canyons give a short and quick glimpse of the lowlands and provide a unique experience and contrast compared to the roads that access them. At each end of the road is private ranch land, and while there are several areas to pull over and camp, nothing is pre-disturbed.

Traveling out and back to Box Flat feels like entering your remote private paradise. Once through the trees and over the numerous rock steps, you pop out onto a pristine prairie surrounded by scenic sandstone cliffs. The trail has a few early challenges that require you to take it slow in four-wheel drive and accept the bouncy ride. Located along the sandy two-track that circles Big Flat, there are a couple of small individual campsites and the trailhead for a remote hiking trail. The drive around the grassy meadow and between the sandstone buttes is scenic and peaceful.

San Rafael Desert 9141 twists through a sandy scenic valley before climbing over a rocky ridgeline leading to Chaffin Geyser. The trail's mild challenges are ideal for beginners with stock 4x4s and an adventurous spirit. As you exit Lower San Rafael Road, you'll drop below red sandstone cliffs known to have golden eagles keeping their sharp eyes on the pond far below along San Rafael Desert 9140. Another unique feature is the old rusty station wagon way out in the middle of nowhere. How did that thing get way out here? Camping is non-existent along the route, but there's plenty near Chaffin Geyser and Lower San Rafael Road.

The trail is mainly used to connect to Chaffin Geyser from 9140. The climb over the ridge requires 4x4 and keeping a close eye on the gpx track. The blowing dunes at the pass cover previous tracks, making navigating over the top slightly confusing. Follow the breadcrumbs as best you can while avoiding running over any vegetation.

John's Access is a short, straight-through connecting trail between Sliplock Gulch and John's Trail. The road surface is mostly sandy, with a few protruding rocks. The most difficult spot along the trail is a wash crossing, where you drop a quick hill to enter the wash. The drop has a few small slickrock ledges poking out, but they can easily be maneuvered around if you think the ledges are too tall for your undercarriage. This trail is suitable for any high clearance vehicle, and airing down is highly recommended due to the rough terrain and soft sand.

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.

Tucked away off the lightly used Sinkholes trail is a BLM 2-track leading to a gem of an overlook. From the moment you start this trail, bumps and washouts will keep you at a slow pace. Once you begin to climb a bit, a few rocky patches will emerge, warranting the need for 4WD and high clearance. Along the ridgeline, there are a few spots to pull over and view the impressive sights overlooking the Upper Muley Twist region. Camping is limited to one to two small, makeshift sites along the cliff edge, that are exposed to winds.

Known as North Slope - Thornburg along the eastern half, and Beaver Meadows along the western half, this trail is a great option for adding to a string of trails journeying along the northern edge of the High Uintas Wilderness. Spanning from the Ashley National Forest into the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, this trail offers access to multiple lakes, individual dispersed campsites, multiple hiking trails, and a managed, improved campground.

Overall, the route is easy, with the section from the east end to Beaver Meadow Reservoir being the smoothest. Conditions get a little bumpier after Beaver Meadow Reservoir heading west, but remain appropriate for any stock 4WD vehicle.

If you are seeking water recreation, Hoop Lake at the western end is likely your better option. Here, you can enjoy views of North and South Burro Peak and Thompson Peak. For a fee, numbered group campsites are located on the east side of Hoop Lake, and a full improved campground can be found on the west side.

Follow in the footsteps of the early pioneers who carved a path across the mountains above Richmond, Utah. The Richmond Pioneer Track traverses over 38 miles across picturesque mountain landscapes, winding through rugged desert canyons before summiting above 10,000 feet. On the western edge of the Fishlake National Forest, the pioneer track is best enjoyed during fall, when the colors are simply overwhelming. Plan a trip in late September or early October for the best chances of seeing the amazing colors up close. The trail is ideal for beginners in stock-type 4x4s with durable tires. Durable tires are important for the long stretches of cobblestone rocks. The use of 4x4 is required to prevent washboards and ensure traction on the steep dirt hills. The route is popular and used as a commercial shuttle route for the area's mountain bike trails. Camping is abundant along the entire route. The early section near Richmond is popular and easily accessible for all vehicle types. Above 7000', camping can be found on short spur trails or at large RV-type pull-off sites. During the fall color season, it's also hunting season, and camping can be more limited at elevation. 

Moonshine Wash is a popular canyon hike in the San Rafael Desert region. This very short, easy trail leads to the hiking trailhead and an overlook of the San Rafael River. The views above the junction with the San Rafael and Moonshine Wash are filled with healthy cottonwoods tucked into the canyon. The trail's minor sandstone ledges require high clearance. Please don't try this trail in the rain. The soil at the end is very soft. Please do not camp at the trail end where the hiking trailhead is located. Abundant camping is found along Lower San Rafael Road and other nearby trails.

An easy spur off of Upper Setting, Castle Peak jogs through the trees over rough dirt and scattered rocks and brings you to a clearing in the trees with a marshy meadow. Although the trail is nothing special, the campsite at the end is peaceful and isolated, so campers have the opportunity to escape the city crowds that huddle close to the Mirror Lake Highway. Due to the wetlands at the end, bug spray is highly advised!

Red Pine Road is an out-and-back route that climbs from the popular Smith and Morehouse Reservoir into the highlands, reaching nearly 10,000 feet in elevation. The lower section winds through a dense aspen forest with steep Red Pine Canyon to the west, before opening into a sweeping meadow with panoramic views. From there, the road climbs a steep hill into the upper forest.

The trail is mostly dirt and rock with one notable obstacle: a steep, eroded ascent into the meadow. The upper section is narrow, and overhanging brush will likely leave pinstriping. Dispersed campsites are scattered along the route, though the higher elevations bring chilly nights.

At its upper reaches, Red Pine Road overlooks South Fork Canyon more than 2,000 feet below, with views stretching toward Rowe Mine. The reservoir itself is named after George Smith and Henry Morehouse, 19th-century tie hackers who cut and squared massive trees for the Union Pacific Railroad, floating them down the Weber River to Echo Canyon.

Seasonal closure is in effect during May and early June due to spring snowmelt runoff.

Take it slow, and keep an eye out for all the hidden gems along this amazing trail. Dry Canyon can be its own adventure, but combined with the other trails of the Great Hunt Loop, it creates a truly memorable 4x4 experience. The trail has numerous petroglyph sites along the trail, and others can be found by exploring the side canyons on foot. Cairns can also be seen sitting on ledges within the canyon. The northern trailhead begins at a working mine plant within Nine Mile Canyon, where the trail begins winding through towering cliffs of the rugged canyon. A large campsite can be found near the trailhead, or, more quiet, primitive sites can be found further up the canyon. The trail requires 4x4, high-clearance, and durable off-road-type tires. There are short sections within the wash that have large rocks, requiring careful tire placement to prevent high centering.  The climb out of the canyon along the southern section to Water Canyon is narrow, but passable in all full-width vehicles. The trail is impassable to tall camper vehicles.

Sanford Loop cuts the corner around the town of Panguitch, connecting US 89 and US 12. Starting from Highway 12 near the Red Canyon turn-off, the route rolls through open terrain under big skies before climbing into pine-lined ridges where the rock formations grow more dramatic. It offers plentiful dispersed camping near Bryce Canyon National Park and can easily be worked into a longer overland trip. Expansive views stretch across the benchlands toward Casto Bluff and Hancock Peak, with quiet campsites tucked among sage and pines. The trail invites an unhurried pace. Find a spot, settle in, and enjoy the solitude before moving on. It also ties into the larger Paiute and Fremont ATV Trail network, linking through Sanford and Smith Canyon country.

The surface alternates between dirt, gravel, and patches of loose rock, with occasional washouts and shallow ruts. The ground can be uneven where the trail transitions between benches and forested coves. It’s generally easy for high-clearance vehicles, though scattered rocks the size of baseballs to basketballs can test AWD or low-clearance rigs. Stay attentive through the dips and rises, and it remains a steady, satisfying drive.

Camping is dispersed. In the southern section, between Red Canyon and Berry Spring, there are roughly half a dozen sites in close succession; farther north, they thin out into quieter, more private spots. Most are open to the sky, with a few shaded under pines, and none feel like developed campgrounds. In all, about twenty sites can be seen along the drive with plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the stillness.

Historical note: The area around Panguitch, including the old Fort Sanford site, once served as a strategic post during the 1860s frontier era, guarding the north–south corridor used by settlers and travelers along the Old Spanish Trail.

A side trail off of Hoyt Canyon, Hoyt S2 is a narrow rocky trail that climbs its way to a ridgeline. As you weave your way through the aspens, the underbrush encroaches as this trail is very lightly used. If pinstriping is not your thing, there may be better options for you. Airing down is recommended due to its rocky nature. Passing storms continue to wash away what dirt remains.

Granting easy access from both Highway 24 or scenic Little Lost Creek Road, Forest Road 53, Lost Creek-Rex Reservoir is a relaxing and enjoyable ride through Fishlake National Forest. The trail has a maintained gravel and dirt surface that can be completed in all vehicles with durable tires and high clearance. Around the reservoir and the crystal clear creek, you will find numerous campsites for groups or individuals. These campsites are all primitive and not designated. There are no services and only one vault toilet near the lake. Beyond the reservoir, winding down to Little Lost Creek Road is the most difficult portion of the trail. Here, you will encounter a loose gravel road that has numerous tight switchbacks and deep washboards.