Utah is home to an incredible variety of terrain ranging from vast open deserts to dense, high-altitude forests. When most people think of offroading in Utah, the obvious slickrock of Moab comes to mind, but there is a small but impressive network of trails much closer for anyone who calls Salt Lake City their home.
American Fork Canyon is located under an hour's drive from the most densely populated parts of Utah. Although the canyon consists of a typical long and winding paved road, this simple passageway is the gate to a handful of trails ranging from 2WD and scenic to rugged and rocky terrain that only experienced drivers should try to conquer.
For those who come in less-than-built rigs, the trail from Tibble Fork Reservoir is a beautiful drive through the Wasatch Mountains beginning along the American Fork River, with endless dispersed camping opportunities from small and secluded to large group sites for trailers. Nearing the intersection with Mineral Basin, signage will point you on your way to Midway, heading over Pole Line Pass. This 2WD journey is a beautiful jaunt for anyone looking for an easy and scenic drive through the pine and aspen-covered mountains, but it is exceptionally more beautiful in the fall colors!
On the other side of the spectrum, American Fork Canyon offers challenges for any seasoned wheeler or built-up rig. Branching off the more accessible routes are many moderate and difficult trails with challenging obstacles strewn throughout the forest. From the milder side on Mary Ellen Gulch to the extremely rocky terrain on Mineral Basin, the loose shale and sharp quartzite are unforgiving in slowing down the more experienced drivers, while slick granite and limestone cause problems for all of the trails in the area.
No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, this network of trails close to the Salt Lake and Utah Vallies offers a taste of everything for any skill level of driver wanting to hit a little dirt and get away from the city. Pack your cooler for the day or all of your gear for a weekend getaway in the serene and scenic Wasatch Mountains.
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Another amazing trail in the Wasatch Mountains, Mineral Basin takes you some incredible sights in a very short drive from the city. After completing Lower Mill Canyon or Baker Fork Road, this trail will give you the challenge and excitement that you were looking for. Due to this area's rich mining history, you will see a vast array of colorful rocks as you climb through the Wasatch National Forest. Moose, porcupines, and deer are often seen in the area. In the heat of the summer, this is a great trail to cool off a little. The mountains are on fire in the Fall, with all the leaves changing color. There are many reasons this trail will quickly become a favorite!
Located about an hour southeast of Salt Lake City in the majestic Wasatch Mountain range, Mary Ellen Gulch offers a lot of adventure for any outdoor enthusiast. From the bottom, you immediately experience the amazing scenery in the Wasatch National Forest and work your way up the old mining road past abandoned gold and silver mines of the late 1800s. Look hard enough, and you might find iron pyrite or fool's gold lying around. If you are more extreme, there have been rumors that you can get lucky panning the mountain streams. There is a story of a Jeeper who panned in one of these canyons and found just enough gold to pay for the expenses of his journey up. Who knows what you may find! As you finish the trail, enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and overlook the Mineral Basin ski lift.
Forest Lake, an awesome spur off Lower Mill Canyon, takes you away from the crowd for fun on the rocks. The trail weaves through the pine forest up to about 10,000 feet and into the middle of an aspen grove. Most of the trail is shaded, creating spots where mud is frequently present. With its rock gardens and mud pits, Forest Lake keeps people of all skill levels and vehicle capabilities entertained through this short trail. This is also a great trail to camp along since you are off the busy trails. However, there can still be a fair amount of traffic on warm summer weekends. There is a large amount of wildlife present if you keep your eyes open. The top of the trail is a very peaceful spot to relax.
Traversing the western face of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch range, Timpooneke Road is a roughly 10-mile gravel out and back that offers unmatched alpine views of the Utah Valley below. The road has no technical challenges, and any AWD vehicle can access most of what this trail has to offer. Beginners should know this two-way trail can be narrow, a little rocky, and includes portions that parallel very steep cliffs.
Campers can also enjoy this beautiful stretch. The road begins at a National Forest campground and offers a dozen or so dispersed sites along the route. Sites have spectacular views of surrounding mountains and/or the cityscape below or might be tucked into deep forests. This trail should be at or near the top of anyone's list looking for an alpine getaway just minutes from I-15 in and around Provo or Salt Lake.
Cummings Parkway Road is a stunning 2200-foot ascent into the Wasatch Mountain State Park overlooking Heber Valley. While generally an easy to moderate trail, the nearly 8-mile trek demands attention as almost every mile is rocky and contains steep shelf roads, not to mention the 360-degree breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys in the area. If properly outfitted, airing down tires is a big plus for comfort and to save wear and tear on suspension components. There is very little camping directly on the track itself. Offshoot trails have beautiful options for dispersed camping. Be on the lookout for OHVs, as this trail gets moderately busy on weekends and holidays.
Mill Canyon Spring, in the Uinta National Forest, is a dispersed camper's dream. There are roughly a dozen sites on this three-mile track, almost all with spectacular views of Mount Timpanogos and the surrounding Wasatch Mountains. The track is steep in places with deep but easily avoided ruts. Occasional rocks and loose rocky climbs necessitate clearance and at least AWD. This is a beautiful drive, and considering its proximity to Salt Lake Valley, it's lightly trafficked.
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