Utah Off-Road Trails

Hidden Splendor certainly lives up to its name. This incredible trail takes you down to Muddy Creek, a yearlong creek that feeds into the Dirty Devil River. All along this trail are viewpoints looking in every direction. You could easily spend hours on this trail taking great photos and enjoying the peace and quiet that the San Rafael Swell has to offer. If you are looking to spend a few nights in the area, there are many remarkable campsites providing you solitude from the bustle of the campgrounds in the area. Although this is a long out and back style trail, be sure to add this one to the must do list. You will quickly see why they call it Hidden Splendor.

With Sand Hollow Reservoir as a constant scenic backdrop, Double Sammy offers continuous, non-stop challenges with obstacles that never seem to cease. No wonder this is one of the Sand Hollow area's most famous rock crawling trails. You will only have time to catch your breath when you are stopped waiting for a vehicle in front of you to continue. Best known for "The Chute" obstacle, this trail leaves you scratching your head as you repeatedly defy the laws of gravity. If you feel right at home with off-camber leans, tire lifts, and maneuvering over ridiculously steep terrain, this is a trail you won't want to skip.

A short trail with big views! Descending from the top of Klondike Bluffs, you are greeted with expansive open views of Salt Valley below you and Arches National Park across from you. Near Moab, Utah, the Klondike Bluffs are something you don't commonly see. The odd discoloration makes you think you are in a completely different part of Utah. This remote and challenging trail puts you into a new area with miles of trails to explore, as well as putting you right at the border of Arches National Park.

The Maze Overlook trail in Canyonlands National Park is a thrilling adventure that takes visitors to breathtaking heights and rewards them with sweeping panoramic views. This rugged trail winds through the heart of the park's mesmerizing Maze District, showcasing the awe-inspiring natural beauty of red rock canyons and towering spires. As you navigate the challenging terrain, your adrenaline will surge with every twist and turn. Upon reaching the Maze Overlook, prepare to be captivated by the vastness of the landscape spread out before you, a true testament to the raw power of nature. The Maze Overlook trail is an unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe of the remarkable wonders found within Canyonlands National Park.

Traveling across seemingly endless prairie lands, Blue Hills Road leisurely meanders along the edge of Moab's most iconic 4x4 areas. You can set up basecamp for up to 14 days at one of the many boondocking areas or choose a side trail and find a private campsite back in the hills. The route has beautiful views of the red rock cliffs and distant mountain peaks. This is the main access road to numerous popular 4x4 trails and an excellent way to see the local wildlife grazing on the prairies. Pronghorns are often seen in large herds, racing across the rolling hills, while the prairie dogs vigilantly watch for predators.

Dedicated to fallen service members from every American conflict, The Fallen is a highly technical trail located east of the sand dunes on top of Sand Mountain that boasts a countless number of slickrock challenges peppered between ten officially named obstacles. Muti-level waterfalls, tight wedges, and steep climbs await those willing to attempt this trail.

Bartlett Overlook, also known as Hidden Canyon Overlook, is an excellent way to get on the rocks around Moab, Utah, without the extreme challenges of the more well-known trails. The trail travels to a breathtaking overlook of Hidden Valley and much more. This mildly challenging route travels through a very diverse and transitioning landscape. The red sandstone mesas seem to rise out of nowhere, creating a swirl of dramatic colors. The trail does have a few challenges to test you and your vehicle's capabilities.

This beautiful off-road trail acts as a shortcut from Buckhorn Draw Road over to Fixit Pass. Wash roads in the San Rafael Swell are abundant, but this one has a few extra features along its edges such as hikes and abandoned mines. This wash has some incredible scenery as it takes you from the more green area near Locomotive Point into the barren desert along the central portion of Buckhorn Draw Road. If you feel like taking a dip, you can even reach the San Rafael River via Fuller Bottom. What this wash lacks in obstacles, it makes up for in scenery. This off-road trail will get you deep into the network of trails within the San Rafael Swell providing days of endless excitement and scenery to view.

Bartlett Wash provides plenty of visual stimulation as you drive alongside sandstone cliffs formed over 100 million years ago and full cottonwoods offering shade in the summer. Many will want to drive it for the experience, while others will drive it to reach Hidden Canyon, Tusher Tunnel, or The Pickle. Whatever your motivation, Bartlett Wash is a road everyone takes at least once in Moab.

A gem of the beehive state, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is home to thousands of miles of forest roads and endless camping, fishing, and many other recreational activities. The Norway Flats area, just 10 miles from town, is an excellent intro to the vast wilderness of these mountains. Norway Flat is an easy trail leading you to numerous great camping spots and small lakes where you could take the kayak out and enjoy the peace and quiet. Because there are no developed campsites along this trail directly, and the small size of the lakes, this trail doesn't see as much action as others in the area, making it a great trail to escape the crowds and enjoy the cool mountain air.

Henry Mountains Road is the western gateway to the ruggedly beautiful Henry Mountains of southern Utah. Beginning in the Water Pocket Fold, a very colorful geologic warp in the Earth's crust, Henry Mountains Road climbs up and along the lower ridges of the Henrys, offering amazing views, fantastic campsites, and connections to other trails that lead deeper up into the mountains. The Henry Mountains, named for the first secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, was the last mountain range to be added to the map of the 48 contiguous States. They loom tall and gray to the east of the trail. Made of igneous minerals that extruded through the surrounding sandstone sediments, the mountains range from 23 to 31 million years old. The western slope of the Henrys host one of only three genetically pure herds of buffalo left in the United States. Kept at an optimal 350 head, additional buffalo above the 350 are sent to replenish the breeding base of other herds. Visitors keep a sharp eye out in hopes of spotting the herd but are more likely to spot a few of the dense population of deer that inhabit the mountain range. The trail ends in the shadow of the Horn, a stony butte below the immense and towering Mount Pennell. A drive along Henry Mountains Road is always an adventure.

The Hidden Canyon offroad trail is scenic and fast-paced, nestled between The Blue Hills and Barlett Flats. Just north of Moab, the route takes you deep into a colorful canyon with Windgate and Entrada Sandstone walls. Due to the ease of this trail and others in the area, this is an excellent location for new offroaders to test their skills without sacrificing the "fun factor."

Situated high in the Wasatch Mountains near Daniel's Summit lies this incredible off-road trail. Taking you from the Hobble Creek Canyon area over to Strawberry Reservoir, this route has no shortage of photographic opportunities, miles of side trails, and endless spots to park and spend some time under the stars. Its relative distance from civilization makes this a popular trail in the summer, while providing snowmobiling opportunities in the winter. With the reservoir so close, this is a popular trail for water-goers to run all weekend with their basecamp set up down by the lake. If you are looking for a little more seclusion, head over to the first portion of this trail where you are less likely to see another soul all day long. Camping options are endless from towing a trailer to hanging from the trees in a hammock. Once you reach the ridge line, you will be treated with views for miles ranging from Mount Timpanogos to the west, Strawberry Peak directly to the north, and Square Top Mountain to the east towering over Strawberry Reservoir. Whatever reason you have for visiting this area, this trail surely is not one to miss with such incredible views in a small amount of driving.

The San Rafael Swell in Central Utah is famous for its unique geography and incredible diversity. Boasting multiple dark sky parks, pictograph and petroglyph panels, the world-famous Goblin Valley, and the Wedge (Mini Grand Canyon), the San Rafael Swell is one not to miss. In the northern portion of the Swell, the San Rafael River carves its way from Emery County 90 miles southeast, where it meets with the Green River shortly before it joins up with the Colorado River. Along the river banks is Fuller Bottom, an "oasis" within the arid climate of the San Rafael Swell. Lush with vegetation, Fuller Bottom is accessed by a relatively easy offroad trail from the north and the south. Most visitors come in from the north due to the easy access from the intersecting Wedge Overlook and Buckhorn Wash trails. Coming in from the south requires you to cross the San Rafael River, which may not be an easy task based on when you expect to be traveling. Although this trail, in particular, may not boast of any specific interests aside from Fuller Bottom itself and the river crossing, it is worth the drive! Fuller Bottom gives you access to the petroglyphs and pictographs along Buckhorn Wash to the north and the incredible network of trails to the south, such as Devil's Racetrack, Fixit Pass, Eagle Canyon, or North Fork of Coal Wash.

Traversing slickrock waterfalls and maneuvering through tight rocky washes, Sliplock Gulch is a continuous pucker fest of fun from the first obstacle to the last. This trail offers countless steep and ledgy climbs that don't require a highly modified vehicle to conquer. Located near the western side of Sand Mountain, Sliplock Gulch is a great Sand Hollow trail to come to test your skills and your machine, no matter what size vehicle you drive.

Winding its way through the rocks of Sand Mountain is a trail known as Triple 7. Like others nearby, this trail is lined with thrilling rocky shelves, vertical faces, and chunky terrain. Although not overly tricky, many optional obstacles here can result in body damage or tipping if the correct line is not chosen. Views of Sand Hollow Reservoir can be had at almost any point, but attention should be paid to the consistent obstacles that lie ahead. This is a great trail to improve your driving skills if you are ready to bump up your off-roading game.

Hidden in the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness lie numerous canyons to explore from both below and above. Hidden Canyon Overlook is part of the 3D Safari Route and gives a feeling of being deep in the outback. The trail traverses dirt, sand, and broad expanses of exposed bedrock, locally known as slickrock. The trail ends approximately 500 feet above Hidden Canyon, whose red and white sandstone contrasts with the blue sky and green vegetation. With the snow-capped La Sal Mountains in the distance, this place is a visual spectacle to cherish.

Breathtaking cliff-edge views await you at the end of this easy 18-mile out-and-back gravel road. With multiple overlooks along the route, numerous side trails to choose from, and abundant camping, Anticline Overlook is your gateway to a remote and scenic Utah adventure. Named for the curved, uplifted Kane Creek Anticline, this dramatic landscape has views that rival the Grand Canyon. The overlook site has picnic tables, small shade shelters, interpretive signs, and a pit toilet. There is no water or camping at the Anticline Overlook, but dispersed camping is available on multiple side trails or at the Hatch Point Campground. With durable tires and dry conditions, the route can be completed in a passenger car.