Utah Off-Road Trails

Branching off Jacks Canyon, Periscope Canyon is a short, out-and-back sandy two-track leading to a unique camping and hiking area. Slot-canyon hiking and exploring in the area are worth the effort to set up camp at the end of this sandy trail. You will navigate a couple of small rock ledges, but to reach the end, you must drop into and out of steep sandy washes. The trail is very narrow, guaranteeing pinstripe scratches to reach the open camping at the end. The camping area is a leveled sand area, with room for several vehicles and tents.

FS1180 is a short spur that dead ends at private property. There are no major obstacles, but occasional rain storms cause rutting in a few spots. Dispersed camping is available in a few locations along the trail, with many sites being large enough for multiple vehicles and trailers.

Upper Middle Beaver is a short, easygoing out-and-back spur that branches off the Hole in the Rock–Henrys Fork route and provides direct vehicle access to the trailhead for the Beaver Lake hiking trail. This is an excellent destination for backpackers seeking solitude in the High Uintas backcountry. The route follows a winding, rough dirt track that curves gently through timbered terrain with a short bridge crossing over a small creek.

Though the trail is easy by offroad standards and suitable for any vehicle with decent ground clearance, its narrower path and slightly uneven surface make it feel more remote than the more commonly traveled routes nearby. Drivers should keep an eye out for two small dispersed campsites located near creek crossings; these offer peaceful overnight options with the tranquil sound of trickling water. A makeshift red wooden outhouse hides in the trees just south of the smaller camping area, if you can find it. Camping at the end of the trail is also possible, though foot traffic from backpackers starting or ending their trek to Beaver Lake may bring occasional activity.

With very little technical driving involved, Upper Middle Beaver is a great choice for beginner drivers or anyone looking for a quiet access route into a lesser-traveled part of the Uintas. It's a scenic, low-traffic connector that rewards even the most casual off-roader with serene forest views and a true backcountry atmosphere.

Ekker Ranch Road easily travels across expansive high desert prairie land before connecting with the popular Angel Point trail. Ekker Ranch is used to access a private ranch located beyond the Angel Point junction. The rancher's cattle can often be in the road; use caution and slow down to avoid spooking them. The trail is a mix of hard pack and blowing sand. Although it's graded, the road surface can be soft, especially during the hot summer days. There was no camping found along the route; abundant camping is available along Angle Point and Bull Pasture.

South Ekker Ranch Road, also called Roost Road on some maps, is a well-maintained sandy-dirt crossover. There are distant views of the Henry Mountains and abundant cattle. Please use caution and slow down when encountering cattle in the roadway. There is no camping found along the entire road. The trail can become soft, even after grading, and impassable in wet conditions.

Easily accessible from Gemini Bridges and Four Arches Canyon, Saucer Canyon travels out-and-back for over a mile through a scenic red rock canyon. The trail can be traveled in a 2WD high-clearance vehicle along the sandy and rocky two-track. You cross the dry wash a couple of times before ending at the current BLM track marker. Although the trail appears to continue beyond the squeeze rock, the current boundary is at the rock. Camping appears to have been available in a couple of spots; however, these sites are now more reserved for cattle. To avoid a precarious turnaround point, avoid traveling to the very end of the track and turn around in the wash below. 

Silver Lake Flat Road climbs out of American Fork Canyon, passing Tibble Fork Reservoir before switchbacking up to Silver Lake Flat Reservoir. The route starts on a rocky two-track and narrows onto a hogsback ridge with drop-offs on both sides before settling into graded dirt and rock for the climb to the top. Riders use this road to reach the reservoir itself, a quieter alternative to Tibble Fork, with fishing for grayling, rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout, and moose are commonly seen in the area.

Expect a dirt and rocky surface with obstacles under 9 inches, washboard and erosion ruts after storms, and a shallow creek crossing that should be checked before driving through, since depth changes with runoff. The road is two vehicles wide with pullouts for passing.

Dispersed camping is available near the end of the road, with a handful of shaded sites large enough for three to four rigs, though trailers are not allowed. Additional sites are tucked farther in, past posted "no motor vehicle" areas. American Fork Canyon is a Forest Service fee area, so a valid recreation pass or day-use fee is required to drive up to the trailhead.

Named for the nearby infamous slot canyon, Alcatraz Canyon Rim travels 1.8 miles along a sandy two-track to a turnaround overlook. The trail begins as a rutted track across a meadow, with distant views of the Henry Mountains. There is a short spur trail leading to a large flat camp area above Alcatraz Canyon. A perfect basecamp for hiking Alcatraz Canyon and other trails in the area. The ground is hard pack and soft sand. During dry conditions, the trail can be completed in high-clearance 2WD.

Manti-La Sal National Forest is a beautiful mountain region in southeast Utah. The mountains are home to an abundance of wildlife and a lifetime of offroad trails to explore. This short trail is along one of the best overland routes in the region and leads to secluded camping and a scenic vista. It may be a short trail but its location, and when timed right for the wildflower blooms exploding in the nearby meadows, it's definitely worth the side trip. General rutting requires a high clearance vehicle.

Named after the nearby canyon, Larry Canyon is a bumpy 1.3-mile dead-end trail. Likely used to access cattle land, the trail leads to a nondescript point on the mesa. The trail is a mix of sand drifts and tufts of sagebrush. The trail is deeply pitted from cattle, and no camping is found along the trail.

Orange Trail is a BLM-managed desert connector road near Green River, Utah. It is not a destination trail, but a handy shortcut/connector to know when linking together other routes in the area. As you travel toward the east end, the drive becomes more scenic as the road passes the mouth of a small rocky canyon to the south, adding a bit more visual payoff than you might expect from a simple connector. This is mostly a 2-track trail with free-standing rocks near the east end that are 6-8". This trail is suitable for any high clearance vehicle.

Milk Maid Road climbs out of American Fork Canyon above Silver Lake Flat Reservoir through lodgepole and fir forest, an open meadow, and a rocky shelf road cut into the canyon wall. The road is a dead end with no loop, crossing an old avalanche chute and a couple of shallow stream crossings before ending below the ridge, with Silver Lake Flat Reservoir coming into view near the top.

One climb partway up pushes into harder moderate territory, with loose, off-camber rock closer to 18 inches and low range gearing recommended. Drivers who'd rather skip it can go slow and spot through, since the rest of the road stays within moderate limits. Dispersed camping is available at three spots along the route: a site at the beginning that fits two to three rigs, a shaded, private pocket about a half mile in with six or more separate sites near a stream, and a small hideaway site farther up with a fire ring and benches that fits one rig or a tent. American Fork Canyon is a Forest Service fee area, so a valid recreation pass or day-use fee is required to drive up to the trailhead.

Knowing where to find acceptable camping in this vast desert is valuable. This short out-and-back easy two-track travels past a water well before ending at a camping area at the base of the Flat Tops. The area was once an old mining camp, leaving a level area for group or individual campsites. The Flat Tops offer some protection from the heavy winds and a place to explore the local geology. The short trail has a couple of washout ruts to navigate, passable in all stock-type 4x4 vehicles. The trail would be impassable in wet conditions. There are distant views of Spire Point, a row of unique rock outcroppings.

A true adventurer's trail, Spur Trail Road is about as remote as you can get within the Maze District. Surrounded by the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness, this seldom-used trail crosses an expansive mesa with a turn-around overlook campsite high above the Green River. The trail has a couple of challenges for stock-type 4x4s. The track is passable in 4x4 vehicles with aggressive offroad-type tires, aired down for added traction. There are a couple of deep rutted sections requiring an experienced driver. Self-recovery equipment such as a shovel and sand tracks are highly recommended. There are a couple of campsites off of the trail, but the campsite at the end is the true highlight. It can be unbearable on windy days, but there is room for 2-3 vehicles with tents, and amazing Dark Sky nights. 

Used primarily by logging operations, Campbell Hollow is an unmaintained road leading up to Mill Hollow Ridge from Mill Hollow. This bumpy, non-technical trail requires high clearance due to loose, scattered rocks. As you ascend, you will see an active logging operation in the small ravine below. Once you reach the end, a handful of short spurs provide quite incredible views. Dispersed camping is found near either end of the trail. Due to the logging operation, it is recommended to camp near the end at the top of the hill, where you are less likely to be interrupted by big trucks rolling by. Improved camping can be found at Mill Hollow Campground for a nightly fee.

Cottonwood Canyon Cutoff is an easy, high-clearance connector used to bypass the notorious obstacles in the Cottonwood Canyon section of Rose Garden Hill when traveling toward Delores River Overlook. The route begins near the end of Entrada Bluffs Road and connects to the midpoint of Rose Garden Hill, offering a smoother alternative for drivers who want to avoid the harder technical terrain. The road has no major obstacles and is suitable for any high-clearance vehicle, though the surface includes hard-packed dirt, scattered golfball- to cueball-sized rocks, and a few chunky, bumpy slickrock sections. This is more of a practical access route than a destination trail, but several prime campsites near the southern end make it a worthwhile option for overlanders or anyone looking for a quieter camp before continuing deeper into the area.

D1799 is a bouncy sand and dirt two-track without any obstacles or camping. The trail takes under 10 minutes to cross between Arths Pasture Road and the easy section of Metal Masher.

A quick spur from the route Mineral Point Road to Spring Canyon Bottom Road leads to a viewpoint of the Tibbett Arch. The trail will take only about 15 minutes to drive, and at the end, a large parking area is spacious enough for eight vehicles and is a perfect spot for lunch. The trail is moderately rough, with exposed embedded rock mixed among loose, grapefruit-sized rocks. High clearance will be needed.

The arch is not easily found. You must hike about 100 yards from the parking to the edge of Roaring Canyon, then walk east a couple of hundred yards and look back west down into the canyon. Be mindful on the hike that the cliff's edge is completely exposed, and it would be a several-hundred-foot fall. A single dispersed campsite is available at the end of the trail, with room for 2-3 vehicles. However, this site may get some traffic as it is the turnaround for the end of the trail.

D3018 demands a bit more from the driver and vehicle. You'll need steel nerves and a capable vehicle to safely navigate the numerous hills on this short, 3-mile trail. The views are worth the effort, and you pass a popular salt flat frequented by native pronghorns. The hills are dangerous for inexperienced and under-equipped vehicles. The hills are very steep with loose dirt and large basketball-sized boulders limiting traction, both uphill and downhill. Traction aids such as differential lockers are highly recommended. Traveling north to south makes the trail slightly easier, as you will traverse the most difficult hill in the downward direction.

This trail leads to Bull Point, offering expansive views into Four Arches Canyon, with Merrimac and Monitor Buttes visible in the distance. As you drive, the scenery through the windshield feels grand and wide open, giving the route a strong sense of space and remoteness.

Along the way, there are only a couple of small areas suitable for camping, with the most notable spot located at an abandoned oil pad. A few remnants from the area’s short-lived oil activity remain, including old rusty cans and a survey marker noting the former well site.

The final few hundred feet of the trail can no longer be driven, as time has reclaimed the road and cryptobiotic soil has begun forming across the surface. At the end of the drivable route, there is just enough room for one vehicle to park before continuing on foot out to Bull Point.

This trail is suitable for any high-clearance SUV, though drivers should expect a few small ledges to navigate near the end.

BLM Road #2002 follows the southern edge of the Pearce Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) for the first mile or so. Once past the ACEC, you’ll find numerous boondocking spots along the south side of the road. The route then jogs briefly to the south, crosses into Arizona, and continues through a stretch of gentle whoop-de-dos and creosote bush. It eventually drops into the Fort Pearce Wash before narrowing into a 50-inch-or-less trail. At that point, full-size 4WD vehicles can turn south onto BLM Road #2003.

The route is suitable for any high-clearance SUV or truck, but conditions can change quickly after rain, so use good judgment and assess the road each time you visit.

About the ACEC

The Pearce ACEC is designated to protect the endangered Siler pincushion cactus, a species found only in southern Utah and northern Arizona. With an estimated population of only a few hundred, it is extremely fragile. Please respect all posted signs and stay on designated routes to help preserve these rare cacti.

D3551 is a short crossover without any obstacles and is primarily used to access mountain bike trails. The trail has stretches of soft sand and rock ledges, 6-10" tall, that require extra ground clearance. The route shares sections with mountain bike trails, where they have the right of way. Please come to a complete stop and let them pass. Do not destroy the delicate vegetation by driving off-trail. No camping is found along the route.

Meadow Canyon Road connects Skutumpah Road to the Dixie National Forest Powell Ranger District just outside Bryce Canyon National Park. Described here from south to north, the route travels primarily through private property before reaching a gate at the northern boundary of the National Forest. In dry weather, the road is suitable for any vehicle. There is no camping along the route, and the gate to the Forest Road technically closes on August 31. Additionally, the road is closed for up to two weeks during Mule Deer season.

As you drive, several signs point toward National Forest access, often with the caveat that “gates might be locked.” The only gate is located where the road meets the National Forest boundary. It is not a typical gate, so look closely at the lower section to see where the closing mechanism connects to the pole.

Please note that the road goes by several names, likely because it passes through various jurisdictions. These include Shugart Lane and Meadow Canyon. The BLM portion is named Broad Hollow Road.

Easily crossing over from SR-24 to San Rafael Reef, Old Woman Wash is a quick way to access the reef's epic camping and slot canyon hiking. The trail is hard-packed dirt with deep corrugations. Ideal for high clearance vehicles equipped with durable tires. There are no campgrounds along the route, but many campgrounds can be found along the southern portion of San Rafael Reef.