Utah Off-Road Trails

Covering 2.1 miles, the route opens through a grassy meadow before entering lodgepole pine forest, then ends before a hillside burn scar with standing dead timber, the road ends here. Grades are gentle throughout, the road is generally wide enough for two vehicles to pass, and four-wheel drive isn't needed in dry conditions. There is one dispersed camping spot available along the route that is a shaded site in the trees that comfortably fits a single rig; it sits close enough to the road that it offers little privacy.

Heber Mountain Spur 1 branches off the main Heber Mountain Road, climbing through timber on a one-lane track. The road works its way up through stands of pine and aspen, opening to a view over the Heber Valley near the top before the trees.

Stock high-clearance 2WD vehicles can handle this one without much trouble. The road surface is primarily hard-packed dirt with occasional embedded rocks, dips, and ruts under 9 inches, along with moderate grades and a steady net ascent of around 436 feet over the run.

Dispersed camping is present, with more than five sites along the trail. The largest comfortably fits three or more rigs, or two rigs paired with small trailers, and some sites offer both shade and a sense of privacy from the trail itself. As with dispersed camping generally, there are no tables or vault toilets, so campers should plan to pack out what they bring in.

It's a wonder anything can survive in this barren and unforgiving landscape. The dirt is like powder, the rocks are jagged, and no signs of vegetation. Connecting Salt Wash Trail and Salt Washington North, D3114 is a rugged crossover with a few moderate challenges for stock-type 4x4s. There are ledges 12-16" tall, and a loose rock hill requiring a little extra confidence and momentum. The hill climb is steep and off-chamber; taking the short, steep bypass halfway up is the safest route. The 1.7-mile trail can be completed in approximately 30 minutes, and no camping is found along the rugged terrain.

1661 is a nondescript spur directly off Highway 313. It begins on State Trust Land before transitioning onto BLM-managed land. Along the route, there are a handful of previously disturbed campsites suitable for small setups.

While the road is listed as easy, high clearance is still recommended. There is clear evidence that rain can quickly damage the road, so use good judgment before driving on it, especially during or after wet weather.

Long Hollow is a scenic mountain forest road accessed from Soapstone Creek Road northeast of Kamas, Utah, in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The trail climbs steadily through dense aspen and evergreen forest corridors with excellent visibility and wildflower displays during the summer months. A small pond near the midpoint provides a scenic break point, and views of the Uinta Mountains expand as elevation increases. This is ideal for those wanting to explore high-elevation forest habitat and wildlife viewing opportunities without significant technical challenge.

Long Hollow is well-suited for high-clearance 2WD vehicles with stock equipment, though ground clearance is more critical than four-wheel drive capability. The route features a well-defined rocky dirt surface with minimal obstacles, primarily small rocks and ruts under nine inches, and consistently moderate grades throughout. Suitable camping exists along the trail's upper section. The road is navigable during the dry season and early fall months; winter conditions or rain may test traction on rocky sections. This route is particularly suited for introducing drivers to high-elevation off-road travel and observing seasonal forest changes without extreme technical demands.

Starting at US-89, BLM 102 begins at the large Peek-A-Boo Trailhead staging area, which offers picnic tables, vault toilets, a trash bin, and ample room to air down before entering the trail system. Airing down is strongly recommended, as deep, shifting sand is common throughout the area and is the primary reason for the trail’s moderate rating. Four-wheel drive is also strongly recommended.

BLM 102 forms a loop through the surrounding high-desert terrain, crossing several canyons and traveling through broad, open stretches dotted with juniper, pinyon, and sage. Along the northern portion of the loop, the road offers impressive views of the White Cliffs, the surrounding upper benches, and White Tower before briefly dropping into John Canyon.

Portions of BLM 106C and 106H are included as an out-and-back spur to the route’s main attraction, Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon. From the parking area, the slot canyon is open to foot traffic only and provides a relatively short out-and-back hike. Unless you are a skilled climber, the hike typically ends at an approximately 15-foot overhang that blocks further travel through the canyon. Allow up to an hour to explore the slot canyon and return to your vehicle.

Although numerous flat areas can be found along BLM 102, the route is not particularly well-suited for camping, and previously disturbed campsites are few and far between.

Willow Creek Ridge is best thought of as a scenic climb rather than a connector, gaining nearly 2,400 feet through timber and open meadow before topping out near a ridge high point with wide views into the surrounding drainages. A short section partway up crosses private property, so drivers need to stay on the established route through that stretch rather than wandering off it.

The road is easy enough for a stock high clearance 2WD, with only minor rock and dirt obstacles to contend with. The spots worth planning for are shallow dips that could catch a long trailer or low-hanging gear even though it poses little challenge to most rigs.

Camping is one of the main reasons to run this road, with around a dozen dispersed sites spread along its length. Several of these spots offer both shade and privacy, making the route a solid choice for anyone looking to set up a quiet basecamp for a night or two while exploring the area.

Impressive 360° views can be found at the end of this short but bumpy climb. What appears to be mine tailings, the entire hill is comprised of dirt and fractured rock shards of various colors. All the way to the summit, the crystal-looking stone can be found everywhere. Reaching the summit requires 4x4, durable tires, and steady nerves on the narrow off-chamber traverse. Once at the windy summit, the expansive views are worth the little effort. Unfortunately, no campsites are found along this rugged dead-end.

At the upper limits of "moderate," D1845 can be considered an addition to the end of Metal Masher or a stand-alone, fun, short trail. The trail continues the rock-ledge theme, featuring obstacles for both stock and modified vehicles. The ledges are both up and down, with the hill at the west end being the most difficult. The ledges are 12-24" tall and on a loose dirt hill. Durable tires, high ground clearance, and skid-plate protection are required.

At just 0.3 miles, it packs a rocky, technical climb into its first few hundred feet, opens into a burn-scarred meadow, and finishes with a loose, off-camber section before ending. Drivers exploring the Soapstone Basin roads may want to add it as a quick technical detour rather than a standalone destination.

The opening climb is rocky and uneven, with ledges and short, steep grades under a foot tall that require careful tire placement. Low range isn't required, but it helps through that section. Past the climb, the trail mellows into a rutted dirt track with loose rock through the meadow, before narrowing again for the off-camber finish, which is worth slowing down for when wet. Suitable camping is not present on the trail.

Please note that the official motor vehicle use map contains an error: the road does not follow the route depicted by the agency; instead, the route shown here is the signed route.

Heber Mountain Road climbs into the Uinta National Forest. The road passes through pine and aspen timber, open meadows, and valley overlooks. The road is rated a Moderate, though the majority of it is an Easy, mellow two-track that most stock high clearance vehicles can run without much trouble. The exception is the first half-mile to a mile out of the drainage, where a rutted, rocky climb with embedded rock ledges under 12 inches bumps the difficulty up to moderate and calls for careful tire placement. Outside that stretch, the road remains one-vehicle-wide in places, with blind corners through the timber, so it's worth keeping speeds down even on the easier sections.

Dispersed camping is plentiful along the road, with seven or more sites spread out over its length. The largest can comfortably fit several rigs or a larger group, and a handful of the sites sit far enough into the aspen groves or timber to offer real privacy and shade, including a secluded spot and the smaller, sheltered Camp Smyrna site. Others, like the open meadow area and the camping near the second trail junction, are more exposed with little shade or privacy. As with dispersed camping generally, there are no tables or vault toilets at these sites, and campers should follow standard Forest Service dispersed camping rules for the Uinta National Forest.

Clyde Creek Timber Sale follows an old logging road that has become a popular dispersed camping and off-road route on the way toward Strawberry Ridge. The route combines 70299 and 70301 which works through mixed pine and aspen, with old timber cuts and regrowth visible along the upper stretches, and open breaks in the trees give periodic views back over the Strawberry Reservoir basin. It connects Clyde Creek and Jones Hollow roads.

There are dozens of dispersed camping spots available along the route, with the largest easily fitting a group of rigs.

Spur Road leads 6.4 miles to the hiking trailhead for the Great Gallery, and it's a bit more difficult than Horseshoe Canyon/Spur Road. The trail is not graded all the way out to the hiking trailhead. Instead, a parking area is at the junction with Spur Trail Road, where most visitors park and walk into the rock art site. The track is passable in 4x4 vehicles with aggressive offroad-type tires, aired down for added traction. There are a couple of loose sand hills that require extra momentum and an experienced driver. Self-recovery equipment such as a shovel and sand tracks are highly recommended.

Camping is limited to a couple of small spots right off of the trail. The campsites have room for a couple of vehicles with tents, and wide-open views of the surrounding desert. The hiking trail at the end leads down to Horseshoe Canyon and to the famous Great Gallery wall art site. The 3.7-mile (one-way) hike is difficult in the soft sand and scorching desert sun.

The Great Gallery is a 2000-8000 year-old life-size, ghost-like figures painted on the cliff walls. A challenging 3.7-mile sandy hike is required to reach the panel. 

Also known as Dee Pass Road, D3012, is a historic tour of the area's booming uranium mining during the 1940's. Driven by the war effort, uranium was mined in the area, and numerous camps of various degrees were set up in this ruggedly dry landscape. D3012 is a short detour from Dee Pass, an excellent historic addition to a challenging 4x4 tour of the area. There are no large obstacles, but the trail has a tippy, off-camber dirt hill with large loose boulders. Durable tires, low-range 4x4, and high-clearance are required.

Easily leading out-and-back to an overlook of 7-Up Canyon, D1906 is a dead-end sandy two-track. The trail travels along a scenic rocky butte before abruptly ending at a nondescript viewpoint. The trail is a mix of sand and dirt, with the sand becoming very soft on summer days. There is no camping along this trail. Camping can be found at the end of D1907. 

Alexander Loop & Spur is a short two-track. The rocky ascent at the north end is the section that earns the rating, with embedded rock, ruts, and loose surface material holding obstacles under 12 inches, so deliberate tire placement helps on the steeper pitches. Through the timber the road narrows to one vehicle wide with occasional places to pass, and the packed dirt turns slick and holds water after rain. The road is not maintained for wet-weather travel. Full-size rigs fit, though the tree corridor is tight in spots.

Camping is dispersed. One pine-sheltered site sits about midway along the route, with room for two to three rigs and space for a fourth in a pinch. The surrounding lodgepole gives shade and some separation from the main road, so it holds up well for anyone wanting privacy. It is the only pre-established spot on the route; the rest of the corridor is either the rocky hillside or a tight tree tunnel with little room to camp.

Horse Connect runs through the Strawberry Ridge. The route climbs out of an open flat near the trailhead, crests a low ridge about a mile and a half in, then drops steadily through forest and drainage country to its low end. At just under four miles, it works well as a short connector run or a quick loop addition for those exploring the roads around the reservoir, offering ridge views early on and quieter two-track away from more heavily traveled routes later in the drive.

The main challenge is a rutted middle section where ruts run as deep as 9 inches, requiring careful tire placement, especially when wet. The road narrows to one lane with turnouts through this stretch before opening back up toward the lower end. Camping is dispersed, with more than six sites spread along both ends of the road. The largest comfortably fits two rigs, or one rig and a trailer, and several sites offer shade and privacy among the aspen and forest cover.

Bald Mountain climbs out of the Diamond Fork drainage and works its way along a forested ridge, connecting the trailhead off Rays Valley Road to a mellow stretch of high country before ending further along the ridge. It makes a good pick for a short scouting run or an easy overnighter, with the shelf road section near the start offering a solid view back down into the canyon before the route settles into rolling two-track through the trees. The road is easy and stays within reach of a stock high clearance 2WD, though the water control dips near the beginning are worth a look on foot first if towing a long or low-clearance trailer.

Camping is plentiful along the route, with roughly a half dozen spots spread out over its length. The largest is an open site big enough for a small group, while the rest range from tight single-rig pull offs to a spot set back in the trees that offers both shade and some privacy. Most of the sites sit close enough to the road that privacy is limited, so those wanting more seclusion should plan to check a few options before settling in.

Known as the easier bypass around the sand hill on D1266A, this short looping two-track offers a less technical alternative while still providing a mildly rugged backcountry experience. The route twists through scattered trees, crosses a few small rock ledges, and climbs a bumpy but manageable incline before looping back to the main trail. While easier than D1266A, the trail still requires high-clearance 4WD and durable tires due to the rocky, uneven surface. About halfway around the loop, a single campsite offers room for a couple of vehicles with tents and wide views of the surrounding buttes, making this a worthwhile detour for drivers looking to avoid the harder sand obstacle or claim a scenic camp spot.

D1657B provides an alternate way onto or off of Bull Point. It is a short route that travels through the pinyon.

North of D1660, the trail includes several moderate-rated obstacles to work through. South of D1660, there is one ledge obstacle that would be considered difficult and requires a well-built vehicle to manage, though a bypass is available.

At the north end, where D1657B intersects with Bull Point, there is a good-sized campsite. However, the site does have a view of the nearby gas facility.

Cedar Hollow OHV Trail (FS 80203) is a short shelf road climbing through pine and aspen forest in the Wasatch National Forest near Woodland, Utah. Over roughly one mile, it stays narrow from the first turn, opening at intervals to views across the valley and surrounding ridgelines before ending at a tight, off-camber turnaround loop set among tall grass and timber. The route works well as a short, scenic out-and-back that ties into the broader Mill Hollow and Soapstone Basin trail network, making it a good add-on for drivers already exploring that area rather than a standalone destination.

Rated Easy, the trail is manageable for a stock high-clearance 2WD, though a rocky, uneven stretch about a third of the way in calls for careful tire placement, and a 4x4 with some articulation will move through it more comfortably. Because the road goes unmaintained after rain or snow, drivers may encounter shallow washouts and small ledges up to about 12 inches. The final section narrows enough that most vehicles will pick up pinstripes from roadside brush, and the small turnaround at the end deserves a slow, deliberate approach, especially for longer-wheelbase vehicles; trailers aren't recommended. There are no camping areas along this short spur.

The drop down into this short out-and-back camping trail is both adrenaline-inducing for some and breathtaking for everyone. The view down into the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness is amazing as you flex your way down the steep, washed-out hill. The trail requires a little bit of suspension flex and extra ground clearance. At the very end is a large camping area below towering red-rock boulders. The area is large enough for a group to circle and set up under the Dark Sky. Watch your pets and children on the cliff edges.

D1660 begins near Highway 313, initially skirting around an oil and gas facility before eventually dead-ending at another. Along the way, the trail passes through an interesting landscape of twisted, knotted trees and noticeably redder soil as it drops into a shallow ravine.

The route includes a few ledges, V-notches, and short climbs, but overall, it remains non-technical. There is no camping along this trail.

Center Creek Road climbs out of the Heber Valley southeast of Heber City, gaining roughly 3,300 feet over 8.5 miles as it works up through open range and into timber before topping out at the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest boundary. The lower stretch crosses private property along Center Creek, so travelers should stay on the established road until reaching public land. A pullout partway up offers a view back down into the Heber Valley.

Most of the road is a straightforward dirt climb suited to a high-clearance 2WD, with rutty stretches. The final section near the top turns rocky and loose with a tighter grade, bumping it to a moderate rating. A high-clearance 4x4 with off-road tires is the safer choice for the full route, and the road narrows to one lane in spots with occasional pull-outs for passing. One dispersed campsite sits near the forest boundary, large enough for two rigs or a rig and trailer, though it is open with no real shade or privacy.