The Best Off-Road Trails in Utah For ATVs and Jeeps
Filled with rocky canyons, challenging terrain, and plenty of open land, Utah is a holy land for American off-road enthusiasts. There are plenty of amazing trails to choose from, but what are the best of the best looking like?
From the salt flats, to the great hills and dunes, Utah offers a wide swathe of options for all kinds of off-roading activities. Many off-road spots are legendary in their own right, giving off-roaders lots of opportunity to find their own personal favorite.
You really can’t go wrong picking a trail for off-roading in Utah. Not only will you find yourself amazed by the stunning views of the land, but you will also find plenty of interesting challenges and fun times as well. Want to find a Utah adventure for yourself? Read further and we will cover some of the best off-road trails in Utah for Jeeps and ATVs.
Table of Contents
- The Best Off-Road Trails In Utah Overview
- Mesa Arch Trail
- Paiute ATV Trail
- Fins & Things
- Hell’s Revenge 4X4 Trail
- Red Canyon 4WD & ATV Trails
- Burr Trail
- Toquerville Falls
- Hotel Rock
- Maze Overlook
- Sand Mountain OHV
- Old Ephraim’s Grave
- Valley Of The Gods
- The Shafer Trail
- Conclusion
The Best Off-Road Trails In Utah Overview
Utah trails are suited for just about any off-road activity you could think of, ranging from mudding to some serious rock crawls, and at many different skill levels to boot. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your options.
Our top off-road trails in Utah are:
- Mesa Arch Trail
- Paiute ATV Trail
- Fins & Things
- Hell’s Revenge ATV Trail
- Red Canyon 4WD & ATV Trails
- Burr Trail
- Toquerville Falls
- Hotel Rock
- Maze Overlook
- Sand Mountain OHV
- Old Ephraim’s Grave
- Valley Of The Gods
- The Shafer Trail
Mesa Arch Trail
Located in Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Arch Trail is just under a mile long, making it the perfect spot for a quick outing. Even cooler are the sights you will get to take in during the ride, which showcase the uniquely stunning landscapes of the park. If you are in search of some great views of Canyonlands, this trail might be for you.
Paiute ATV Trail
This trail is regarded as one of the absolute best the United States has to offer, making this a must-see destination for dedicated ATV riders. The Paiute is a long trail, clocking in at around 275 miles of marked trail. The path functions as a loop, making the trip easier than an out-and-back, thankfully considering the trail’s length!
The main loop commonly takes around three to four days to complete, so this favorite overland trail takes some commitment to see through to the end. And if you’re still hungry for more, the Paiute Trail includes thousands of miles of side trail for you to explore.
Fins & Things
This trail is a 10-mile one way loop that will take an average of around 5 hours to complete. The trail is marked with metal signs and white symbols painted on the surface of some rocks on the trail. Because of the hazardous terrain encountered on the trail, Fins & Things trail is only recommended for experienced drivers.
The trail is only opened for day use, and speed limits in the park are 15 mph. Campgrounds are available for rent near the entrance to the trail head.
Hell’s Revenge 4X4 Trail
Hell’s Revenge is an overland trail located in Rotary Park, Utah. It is an approximately 6.5-mile loop with steep, smooth and difficult to climb rocks readily available. This trail is recommended as a challenge for very advanced riders, and should only be attempted by those who are confident and qualified to do so.
This trail does not allow ATV usage, and is only suitable for OHV vehicles like a Jeep.
Red Canyon 4WD & ATV Trails
Red Canyon is one of 4 subsections of land found in Zion National Park located in the Dixie National Forest. Red Canyon is the most diverse of the bunch, giving off-roaders plenty of great spots for hitting the trails. Red Canyon is full of wonder and will amaze onlookers with its textural sandstone walls and rusty arches.
There are lots of activities you can do here including hiking, camping, and biking as well. If you are considering a trip here for some off-roading, check out the Zion National Park website for a list of the trails located in Red Canyon.
Burr Trail
Named after a cattle rancher from the 1800s, this trail follows the path he took to move his herd in the Summer and Winter months. Taken as a point-to-point, the Burr Trail runs 66-miles and takes around 29 hours to complete on average.
The Burr Trail is generally considered easy for an overland trail, and is popular for local off-road drivers. The path comes with some paved sections, some curvy switchbacks, and graded dirt. The trail provides a great beginner’s intro to overland drives, but the surrounding area is beautiful enough to make the trip worth it for almost anyone.
Toquerville Falls
Regarded as a fairly easy trail, this spot features amazing waterfalls, and a nice creek to drive through and even take a dip in. This is a common spot to bring families for a fun day on the trail where they will see views of the beautiful surrounding mountains, canyons, and even some camping too!
This trail is approximately 11-miles long, and contains many side trails, which are often utilized for camping. Visiting during the summer months is recommended if you want to swim, as the snowmelt in the spring makes the water surprisingly chilly!
Hotel Rock
This 5-mile long route is rated as moderately difficult, and features a beautiful desert terrain. You will encounter dirt and rocky land, along with sandy lowlands and steep rocks to crawl. This trail is a good challenge for those in search of technical, yet diverse terrain.
On the trail is the Hotel Rock, a stone outcropping that stands as the ruins of an ancient Pueblo ancestral cliff dwelling. A must see for visitors in the area. It is advised to be mindful when on this land, as it is a recognized archaeological site.
Maze Overlook
The Maze overlook is a 13-mile trail full of unique terrain and plenty of beautiful views. This route is considered moderately challenging. While in The Maze, you can expect to drive at a low speed due to the steep terrain and rocky hills. The terrain will present drivers with plenty of challenges, so we recommend coming extra prepared for this one.
To camp in The Maze, you will need to get yourself a permit from the National Park. Those can be found here. Reserve yours in advance for an awesome adventure through this beautiful and remote destination.
Sand Mountain OHV
This open area gives drivers the chance to experience some excellent dune riding. With around 5,000 acres to explore, this trail has countless sites to take in, and more than enough sand for you and your buddies to kick up.
To top it off, Sand Mountain is home to the single largest dune in the Great Basin, so if you dare to take it on, you’ll have bragging rights. This area is suitable for Jeeps, ATVs, dirtbikes and more. The land here is spread out, and if you plan on spending a lot of time here, we recommend coming extra prepared with plenty of water, and fuel.
Old Ephraim’s Grave
Named for an old grizzly bear commemorated by a monument, this forested trail is an out-and-back spot with 19.5 miles to run through. This trail is scenic and historical, as it holds its own share of secrets and lore.
In regards to off-roading however, this trail is suitable for off-road vehicles of all kinds. The terrain consists mostly of dirt with some crops of rocky soil or stones. The trail is considered moderately challenging to complete.
Valley Of The Gods
Well, with a name like that, how could we not include The Valley Of The Gods in this post? This trail is a very scenic point-to-point, ideal for drivers interested in taking in some of nature’s beauty. Rather than being a trail for technical drives, this gravel road brings plenty of sun and quintessentially Utahn sights, so we recommend bringing a camera!
You can even camp alongside the road, if you would like to spend some extra time out there. We couldn’t recommend it enough, as the valley is beautiful at night!
The Shafer Trail
Complete with plenty of mega steep hills and overhanging rocks, this trail would make a great experience for drivers looking for a challenge without requiring a super modified rock crawler. The road can however be dangerous, and caution is advised, as the steep and curving paths down the hills are super narrow, and may prove difficult to navigate.
The trail is mostly unpaved and is 19-miles long. Unfortunately no ATVs are allowed on the trail, but those of us with a Jeep should have an enjoyable experience. This path is considered moderately difficult, but should prove accessible to recreational off-roaders.
Conclusion
Utah is a state chock full of beautiful outdoor sites spanning from sparse sand dunes, to rocky outcroppings, and even into forests! With so much amazing land it is no wonder that a multitude of world class trails are to be found across the state.
You surely have your work cut out for you picking the best one! Good luck!
