Utah Off-Road Trails

The Book Cliffs in Central Eastern Utah is a treasure trove of winding dirt roads providing explorers with nearly endless directions to travel. Book Cliff Ridge Road is a 67-mile-long gateway to the southern end of the Book Cliffs, climbing quickly from the valley below to the top ridgeline. Since this trail serves plenty of drilling and oil sites, it is well-maintained and suitable for just about any vehicle in optimal conditions. There are a few great camping opportunities at the top of the eastern climb, with designated sites tucked away in the trees providing plenty of room for 8-plus vehicles and all the passengers you can carry.

The Peavine Corridor trail is a hidden gem in the Manti-La Sal National Forest (now part of Bears Ears National Monument) that makes you wonder how it is allowed to exist. Traveling through a forested canyon surrounded by stunning red rock cliffs, the road follows a narrow corridor cherry-stemmed out of the Dark Canyon Wilderness when it was designated in 1984.

Though the rest of Peavine Canyon is in a Wilderness Area where no motor vehicles are allowed, this corridor allows motorized access deep into the heart of the canyon. Because of this, it has long been the bane of wilderness advocacy groups like the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, which have sought the closure of this road for decades. There is likely to be another major push to close it as part of the ongoing management planning process for Bears Ears National Monument, so be sure to drive it while you still can!

The road begins at a small trailhead with an outhouse off Elk Ridge Road and, from there, descends steeply into Peavine Canyon. This section is mostly a rocky shelf road with a few moderate rock ledge obstacles. Upon reaching the canyon floor, the road levels out and travels through the riparian area along a seasonal stream going down the canyon. The road is lightly traveled and difficult to follow here, as the floodplain it crosses can change significantly as a result of spring runoff and flash flooding from summer storms. Mudholes and washouts are common and there are several very steep wash crossings that could pose problems for vehicles with inadequate breakover angles. The MVUM does not always accurately show the road's location, so do your best to follow existing vehicle tracks and the few directional signs to avoid damaging the delicate terrain.

Almost 9 miles in, the road forks, with the fork to the right initially traveling up a creek and the left fork continuing across it. The right fork (FR 55378) is 2.5 miles long and leads to the historic Scorup Cabin site. However, the road is severely washed out 0.5 miles from the fork and is impassable to full-size vehicles past that point. There is a narrow dirt causeway with 10-foot drop-offs on both sides that an ATV or dirt bike could probably cross and continue, but it is too narrow to be safely crossed by full-size vehicles. The Forest Service is unlikely to repair the road past this point, so most vehicles will need to turn around here. The left fork (FR 50089) continues 2.25 miles past the fork and dead-ends at a hiking trailhead in Rig Canyon shortly after climbing a large rock ledge. The left fork also accesses the Dark Canyon West trail, which allows hiking access deeper into the Dark Canyon Wilderness.

Overall, the Peavine Corridor trail is a spectacular and challenging 4x4 trail that offers a very different experience than southern Utah is typically known for. While this trail would mostly be moderate in dry conditions, the significant ruts, mudholes, and tricky wayfinding in the middle section across a boggy floodplain merits a difficult rating. If you go alone, be sure to bring a winch line extension to be sure you can reach the nearest tree if you get stuck. While camping is allowed on this route, as long as your vehicle remains inside the motorized corridor, there are no established campsites along the trail. There are multiple excellent campsites along Elk Ridge Road near the trailhead.

Cottonwood Canyon Road is a great addition to anyone's southern Utah overland adventure plans. Spanning across the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the geologic features from start to finish provide endless opportunities for exploration. Perhaps the most scenic area lies along the Cockscomb, part of the East Kaibab monocline, with near vertical sandstone beds that form a sinuous hogs back of prominent, multicolored ridges. Prominent backcountry hiking and camping areas can be found in various places along the trail, making it popular for outdoor recreators of all types.

Cottonwood Canyon Road also passes near another geologic wonder, the Grosvenor Arch. Named for Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor, president of the National Geographic Society and the first full-time editor of National Geographic Magazine, the double sandstone arch towers 150 feet above the surrounding terrain.

Traveling through the wide, highlands of its namesake, Trail Canyon takes users across the top of the Highlands before quickly dropping down into a rugged and dense tree-lined drained. In either direction, this section of the iconic Dome Plateau Loop adds a little difficulty when you plan to visit the Dome Plateau Overlook. This route also offers access to several lesser-known overlooks of the canyon and the Colorado River.

The iconic Hell Roaring Rim (HRR) route has become popular. Known as a family-friendly trail with spectacular views of the desert, this portion of HRR challenges even the most seasoned wheelers. Rocky ledges are overly abundant along this slow, bumpy traverse. You create the iconic HRR route and an all-day scenic adventure by connecting with the Mineral Point and Mineral Point Return via Hell Roaring trails. You'll wind through a diverse and well-preserved desert landscape with a hike to Tibbetts Arch and endless views of the canyons and distant mountains.

Whether passing through on I-70 or exploring the Book Cliff trails, this historic and immersive drive through Sego Canyon will elevate your opinion of this desolate landscape. Starting at 5,500' and ending at 8,500', this easy trail packs a bunch of history and scenery in just over 10 miles. The trail slowly begins to leave the rugged flat desert after a short stop at the Sego Cemetery, where some of the town's residents were laid to rest. Continuing up into the cliffs, you will see signs of an abandoned railroad spur built in 1914 to retrieve coal from the town of Sego. An impressive 13 bridges had to be constructed to crisscross the creek. As you approach the ghost town, you will see the small stone buildings being overtaken by nature, but one structure still stands tall. The American Fuel Company Store was built in 1911 and still has all four walls standing today. The now crumbling town reached its peak in the 1930s when the mine employed 125 miners, and the town had approximately 500 residents. Continuing through a seemingly hypnotizing canyon, you'll have more opportunities to see how the early settlers lived when you stop at the stone and log cabins. The now vertical cliffs become much tighter while precariously balanced rock spires threaten to tumble down at any moment. The vegetation changes dramatically as you switch back to the top, where you enter a dense pine and aspen forest, ripe with memorable camping on the rim.

Located in the Sand Mountain OHV Area, John's Trail is a popular trail for those seeking out steep slickrock climbs and descents. Beyond constant views of the sky, you'll often find yourself reaching out for balance like a Jack Sparrow pirate walk, as you tiptoe and sway through many technical off-camber challenges. This tire-chirping trail offers a continuous adrenaline rush from beginning to end and is a must-do for aggressive off-roaders looking to advance their skills.

Skutumpah (pronounced scoot um pa) runs east-west through the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument from the intersections of Johnson Valley Road and Glendale Bench in the west to Cottonwood Canyon Road near Cannonville in the east.  The graded road is easily passable in 2WD vehicles unless wet.  When wet, the road becomes essentially impassable in any vehicle.  The clay surface becomes exceptionally slick, providing virtually no traction.  The road has deep ruts, steep grades, and hairpin switchbacks on the eastern end.  Emergency contact stations are every 5 miles along a good portion of the remote road.

The western end is relatively dull but offers good views of the orange and pink cliffs of the Bryce Canyon area.  The road crosses Deer Springs Ranch, a large plot of private land.  Watch out for cattle on the trail.  The eastern half of the road is far more interesting.  A bridge crosses Bull Valley Gorge, a challenging canyoneering destination.  Take a moment to walk onto the bridge and look down into the impressively deep sandstone gorge.  Willis Slot Canyon is an easy 2-mile round trip hike through a scenic slot canyon.  The trailhead has plenty of parking.  

Camping is limited.  The best dispersed campsite on the western end is 2 miles into the track across from one of the emergency rescue beacons.  The shaded site can host up to 5 larger rigs and is suitable for tent camping.  A mile from the eastern end is a superb camping area on the edge of a ridgeline capable of hosting 15 to 20 vehicles while still providing privacy.   The best sites have impressive views, with Powell Point dominating the skyline.  Deer Springs Ranch offers cabins and campsites.  Plenty of commercial camping and lodging options exist in Cannonville, Tropic, and the beautiful Kodachrome State Park. 

Are you looking for an oasis in the desert? How about welcoming shade and a flowing creek in the middle of Utah's red desert? Dripping Springs is the start of a riparian beltway stretching to the banks of the Green River. The dense trees and vegetation thriving within Ten Mile Canyon are a hiker and bird watcher's paradise. In the winter, look for predator birds nesting within the nooks of the cliff walls. The shade under the cottonwood trees in the summer is a welcome reprieve. Gold-colored fall leaves create a vibrant contrast to the surrounding rock formations. When combined with other nearby trails, Duma Point Road adds a unique cooling break to an otherwise hot day in the high desert.