Utah Off-Road Trails

Few places feel as remote as the Cedar Mountain area of the Last Chance Desert. As you zoom along the arrow straight northern section, approaching the expansive, rugged cliffs, you start to appreciate how far away from everything you are. Be prepared, bring extra fuel, food, and water. Camping is limited to a couple of spots. One is right along the trail, a big level square, likely an old drill platform, that now makes a convenient and scenic campsite. Next is a more intimate site with amazing views and protection from the winds. It's on a short spur trail and is easily accessible, with room for a couple of tents. The trail is hardpack dirt, semi-graded, and passable in 2WD. 

D2715 is a short and sweet spur off of D2700 in the Labyrinth Rims region of Moab. This area offers a lot, from hiking and biking to plenty of motorized recreation trails spanning hundreds of miles. D2700 is an incredible trail to drive for the scenery, while D2715 has its own draw. Although it is an easy sandy trail, the camping at the end is why you should come here. Tucked behind mounds of rock, this private and secluded campsite is one of the better ones in the area.

D1002 is a short and easy connecting trail between Mineral Bottom and D1000. The road is a mix of sand and exposed slickrock, making it a bit bumpy at times, yet still suitable for any high-clearance vehicle. The road can get very rutty and become impassable during heavy rain events. Although short, this road offers excellent dispersed camping options. Four fantastic campsites can be found along the drive that are large, flat, and perfect for any camp setup or any size group. These campsites offer great views of the surrounding area.

Remote camping on the cliffs above the San Rafael River is why 9235 is worth the drive. This site is above a sweeping alcove with breathtaking views. Far back in the San Rafael Desert, the BLM has been hard at work placing new signage on old trails leading to remote locations. This particular little trail leads to a camp area with beautiful views of the San Rafael River carving through the canyon rocks. The site is a little rough, but the sense of aloneness is deep. If you made it this far, you'd be fine driving on this bumpy out-and-back trail. Reaching the camp only takes about 40 minutes from Lower San Rafael Road.

Little Black Mountain Spur can best be described as where tourism ends and adventure begins. Turning off the Cathedral Valley Loop onto the nondescript trailhead, the significance can be lost to a novice driver. The terrain and trails become even more unpredictable, rugged, and very remote. Connecting with the Lower Last Chance Loop, the sand and rocky trail requires durable off-road type tires and high clearance for the numerous ruts and blind washouts. You must be prepared for self-recovery and other emergencies that may occur in a remote area without cellular phone service. The trail travels along the eastern edge of the rugged Lower Last Chance Wilderness, where over 200 big horn sheep are making a dramatic comeback. There is no camping found along this route. Camping within Capital Reef is limited to one campground found at Waypoint 17 on Cathedral Valley Loop.

Big Pinto Mesa is a network of unnamed BLM “D” roads. While maps may show through access on the northwest and southwest corners, the northern route to Gold Mine Road is gated, and the southwestern route has long been washed away and is no longer passable by vehicle, making this a long, lollipop-shaped out-and-back. The trail begins on the southeast end with a sharply climbing, narrow, steep, and rocky shelf road section that requires a mild lift and larger tires. A long, rocky, and remote spur drops toward the Dolores River on the east side, though views are limited. Camping is very limited, with only one or two viable spots. Mining history is evident near the far north end, with additional remnants scattered throughout the area.

We've all wondered, "What's down there?" Forest Road 325 is precisely that trailhead we've all seen. This short 4x4 trail through the tight trees will reward you with a private primitive campsite at its end, along a flowing creek. The trail is easy enough for stock-type 4x4s with high clearance and durable tires. A small turnaround campsite with room for a couple of vehicles with tents is above a small creek being fed by Rex Reservoir. It is one of the few mostly private campsites in the area. The trail is not recommended for large overland campers or trailers, as there are no other turnaround spots except the campsite at the end. It is very narrow to this point, with tight branches, and only a few possible pullout spots.

Part of the Great Hunt Loop, and above the Book Cliffs at 10,000 feet, Cold Spring winds through dense mixed forest and wide open prairies of Flat Iron Mesa, before dropping down into Cottonwood Canyon. The trail crosses the Cold Spring Wilderness, where camping is not allowed. Beyond that area, there is one small camping area in a thicket of trees. It's windy along the wide open mesa, but the views are immense on clear days, especially during fall, when vibrant colors light up the hillsides. This trail is ideal for stock 4x4s with high clearance and equipped with durable tires. Ideal for families and beginners in stock type 4x4s, the Great Hunt Loop is a wonderful day trip filled with mountain forests, rugged canyons, and ancient history.

A little-known, hardly used, and more challenging alternative to the easy Gemini Bridges, Calf Point Road will challenge the most capable stock-type 4x4s. The trail shares portions and name with the Bull Run mountain bike trail, where you must stop & yield to cyclists. Please be courteous on this contentious route; it's a restoration area and a shared trail. The trail has numerous rock ledges, 12-24" tall, with one section being an off-chamber undercut, diff grabber spike. The obstacles will be going up when traveling from north to south. There is no camping on the southern half. Camping can be accessed easiest from the northern trailhead, at the end of a short spur trail into a bowl canyon. The trail takes approximately one-hour to complete the 2.8 miles.

Acting as a jumper, East Draw bridges the gap between the East Draw and Limestone Ridge trails. This is a relatively easy trail, although there are a few patches of bumpy embedded rock and one steeper hill. There are no technically challenging obstacles, but 4WD and low range will help to climb or descend the steep hill. Views of the Diamond Mountain Plateau to the south are quite impressive as you descend in elevation. Camping is not found along this trail, but nearby East Draw has a few options to pop up a tent.

Providing access to the Round Valley Draw hiking trailhead, BLM 422 lies within the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument and stops short of the Paria-Hackberry Wilderness Study Area. A single campsite large enough for 1-2 vehicles is found at the end of the trail across from the small hiking trailhead parking area and registration box. Although the road seems to continue, clear signage is present after the parking area marking the end of BLM 422. This is likely due to the presence of the Wilderness Study Area and the revisions to the Travel Management Plan that have been taking place within the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument.

If you plan to overnight camp within Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument, be sure to obtain a Backcountry Permit at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center or in most of the trail register boxes at hiking trailheads. Backcountry Permits for overnight stays are free and assist the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) with tracking public land use and can also assist with emergency response efforts. Day use does not require a backcountry permit, but please sign the trail register.

Nowadays, getting away from everything is undoubtedly becoming more difficult. Especially if you want a private campsite with a decent view. Far back in the San Rafael Desert, the BLM has been hard at work placing new signage on old trails leading to remote locations. This particular little trail leads to a camp area with beautiful views of the San Rafael River carving through the canyon rocks. The site is a little rough, but the sense of aloneness is deep. If you made it this far, you'd be fine driving on this bumpy out-and-back trail. Reaching the camp only takes about 30 minutes from Lower San Rafael Road.

Somerville Wash, BLM 1096, is the eastern access to a pair of challenging 4x4 trails across a colorful desert between The Swell and Book Cliffs. 1096 easily accesses both Neversweat Canyon and Camel Wash via Grey Flats. The most challenging part of this road is the near-blind trailhead along Highway 191. The trailhead has no turn lane on 191, so caution must be taken. The trail is a semi-maintained county road made of hard-pack dirt and rock. The entire route can be completed in 2WD with high clearance in dry conditions. No established campsites were found along the route.

One of the few remaining 4x4 trails in the region to access the Price River, Coleman Wash is a moderate drive along a private ranch road and through a rocky canyon. The trail branches off of Grassy Flats, adding an excellent addition to a rather mundane trail. There are a couple of "flexy" washouts in the wash, and large rocks require high-ground clearance and durable tires. Work is being done at a diversion dam for a canal system. The trail conditions may change, and it is impassable in wet conditions. No camping was found along the river or in the canyon.

Once part of the Green River Missile Launch Complex, which operated from 1964 to 1975, this moderate 4x4 trail crosses a ruggedly scenic desert landscape. In dry conditions, the trail is ideal for stock-type 4x4s with durable offroad tires. You need a little extra ground clearance to get over the natural gas pipeline. The trail navigates around a colorful landscape with otherworldly natural formations. You will travel along a portion of the vast Orange Trail network of ATV trails. Although no campsites resided along this road, camping can be found along the nearby Crystal Geyser Road.

Taking your time may not be the norm on the busy Sand Rock Ridge trail, but slowing down and stopping a few times, to look back, is the bonus. Mainly used to quickly summit the western rim of this colorful mountain range, Sand Rock Ridge quickly climbs up a semi-graded dirt and gravel shelf road. Once at the top, you're rewarded with expansive views and one of Utah's best fall color overlooks. 4x4 will be needed to help prevent washboards and maintain traction on the steep, loose hills. Durable off-road tires and high clearance are required for the endless cobblestone rocks. Use caution on the sharp, blind switchbacks; traction can be loose at the turns. Camping is fairly limited compared to other trails in the area. There are a couple of primitive pull-off sites with room for a couple of vehicles with tents. Near the top, a special site has a picnic table and views for days. Connecting with Richfield Pioneer Track is a very popular way to avoid the interstate and a scenic crossover to Richfield. The trail does not have firm closure dates but rather an average open date range. The opening is based on "dry" trail conditions. 

7 miles of twisting and turning through rock walls, a rockhound's paradise, Carlyle Wash is an excellent continuation of Cedar Mountain or the Moroni Slopes. The trail travels exclusively through a rock-and-sand wash, with fleeting views of the surrounding landscape. Honeycombs of quartz dissect colorful sedimentary layers, hundreds of feet long. While not challenging, the trail is rough and hard on tires. It's essential to have high clearance, durable offroad tires, and 4x4 may be needed for certain vehicle types. The wash can change dramatically after rare but powerful rainstorms.

Tucked away in a lesser-used part of the San Rafael Swell, NF3511 draws users from E South Sand Bench Loop and down toward Ferron Creek. This journey crosses rocky patches and rolling hills and through a short and unimpressive "canyon" to reach the patch of trees along the creek. Camping was not observed along this trail, likely due to the rough ground and exposure to the elements.

The unnamed FS52120 trail is a moderately bumpy route, overgrown with pines and aspens encroaching on the trail. Roots and small rocks push this trail into 4WD territory, but it's still beginner-friendly. The rewarding views of Wagon Road Ridge and Joe's Valley make this short jaunt worth the effort, and the multiple dispersed camping opportunities add to the experience.

You're historic tour through Little Horse Canyon begins at the abandoned Geneva Mine production buildings. Once part of the booming Bookcliffs coal mine industry, the site was closed in the 1980s. Continuing on the 4x4, bumpy dirt, and rock trail leading up the cliffs, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the San Rafael Swell far below. The trail has numerous blind switchback turns as you climb to over 8500 feet. Once you’re over the pass, the scenery and terrain change dramatically. Sandstone cliffs poke out through the dense vegetation, and fall colors create colorful tunnels through the trees. You’re entering the land of the early Native Americans. Many of the side canyons contain petroglyphs and cairns from the Fremont people. The trail ends at a beautiful campsite and the access point into the Range Creek Range. Range Creek is a permit-only hiking area managed by the Natural History Museum of Utah. It’s $1.00 for an annual permit to reserve access into this amazingly well preserved area. 

The San Rafael Desert is a maze of 4x4 trails crisscrossing the desert. Several do little more than connect you to other better trails. San Rafael Desert 9232 is like that. It's an out-and-back to a small turnaround with little more than a semi-obstructed canyon view of the San Rafael River. It's not bad, but indeed not a destination point. However, if you're a rock hound, the very end is a gold mine and possibly a spot to set up camp. This trail will most likely be used to access the remote camping on 9235. The trail is bumpy but nothing more than what was encountered on the trails leading you to this one.

Acting as a connector from Marys Lake to North Dragon and North Dragon (South), Mud Spring is a maintained dirt road descending almost 1,000 feet in elevation over its 2-plus miles. There are no obstacles other than dodging cowpies. The views are quite impressive, with a blend of grasses, shrubs, and bushes to the junipers and pinyons that central Utah is known for. Camping was available at either end of the trail, with the western site being small and the eastern site quite large.

Willow Creek Canyon is a northern gateway trail to a memorable Utah outdoor adventure. Beginning along Highway 50, the graded dirt trail crosses high desert sagebrush before winding up through dense pines and colorful aspens. Combined with the Richfield Pioneer Track, there will be mild challenges, but you are assured a wonderful all-day 4x4 mountain adventure, ending in Richfield, UT. In dry conditions, the trail can be completed in stock-type 4x4s with durable off-road-type tires. To prevent washboards and maintain traction, a high-range 4x4 is required on the steep, loose climbs on the way to the summit. Primitive camping can be found at numerous points and elevations. Large sites for groups and campers can be found near Highway 50. Additional camping can be found along the Pioneer Track. Visiting during late September to early October are the best times to enjoy the fall colors in this part of the Fishlake National Forest.