Whether you are looking for a challenge or just want to take an easy trip, Utah has some of the best off-roading trails you can find. From combination hiking/driving trails that are less than a mile to trails with several waypoints, you can find the type of fun you’re ready for. Some of the best places to go off roading in Utah are also some of the hardest trails with slick rocks, waterfalls, narrow trails, stumps and more. Some trails are in parks that require an entrance fee, and some share the trail with hikers.
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Mesa Arch Trail
Difficulty Level: Easy
Distance: 0.7 mile
Elevation: 88 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
The Mesa Arch Trail is a short loop trail that is very popular with hikers. It is in the Canyonlands National Park, which charges an entrance fee per vehicle or per person if you are on foot. The trail leads to an arch on the edge of a cliff. If you want some great pictures, drive or hike the trail to catch the sunrise. Wear layers since the climate varies widely during the morning and afternoon.
Starting and Ending Points
The trail map shows the starting point at the Mesa Arch parking lot, near the visitor center. The trail ends at an overlook of a valley 1,000 feet below.
Obstacles on the Trail
There are no obstacles on this trail.
Chicken Corners
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 12 miles
Elevation: 4,764 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
The trail is on a shelf road that runs down to the Colorado River. It has several viewpoints. When you are at the Chicken Corners, you can see the river straight down. The Chicken Corners ties into the Lockhart Basin trails (Difficult). A high-clearance SUV can do the Chicken Corners in dry weather.
Starting and Ending Points
Take Hurrah Pass to Chicken Corners, which is mostly dirt, rock, and gravel road but has some patches of sand. At the end, there is room for five vehicles to park. There is a footpath at the end of the driving trail. Trailhead coordinates are 38.482093 – 109.625034
Obstacles on the Trail
Mild off-camber, rocks less than 12 inches, stumps less than 12 inches, waterfalls less than 24 inches, ledges. Difficult tire placement. Steep. Slippery when wet.
Aztec Butte Trail
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 1.7 miles
Elevation: Gain of 259 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
The Aztec Butte Trail is in the Canyonlands National Park, which charges an entrance fee. The trail has a lot of traffic on it. You’ll see wildlife, and if you choose to walk, you’ll have plenty of scaling and climbing. It features some of the best scenery in the area and is near the Willow Flat Campground. A side trail takes you to a place where you can view the ancient granaries.
Starting and Ending Points
Upheaval Dome Road, near Moab, Utah. The trail ends at the Aztec Butte and makes a small loop onto itself.
Obstacles on the Trail
Two steeper slopes that make hiking difficult.
Fins and Things
Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Difficult
Distance: 9.2 miles
Elevation: 4,750 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
One of the best off roading trails near Moab is Fins and Things. It features 50 to 60 percent inclines on sandstone. This trail is in the Sand Flats Recreation Area and does have a fee to access the trail. You’ll see spectacular views of the LaSal Mountains and the Sand Flats. The fins you’ll see are Navajo slickrock formations that were formed over 200 million years ago. The “things” or what is left of the fins as they erode. Designated camping is available. Most four-wheel drive vehicles can make it, and most of the more difficult obstacles have bypasses.
Starting and Ending Points
The starting point is at the right of campsite #6 in Campsite Cluster E. You must stay on the marked trails.
Obstacles on the Trail
Impassable when wet. Mild off-camber. Steep and rocky areas, with climbs of 55 degrees. Also, rocks and stumps less than 18 inches, and waterfalls and ledges less than 36 inches. Difficult tire placement in some places.
Hell’s Revenge OHV Trail
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Distance: 9 miles
Elevation: 1,112 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
For some of the best off roading in Utah, be sure to visit Hell’s Revenge near Moab. It is full of obstacles and steep climbs. Some of the optional obstacles include Hell’s Gate, the Escalator, Hot Tubs, Tip-Over Challenge, and Rubble Trouble. The heavily-trafficked loop trail features scenic views. You will need lockers to make it through. You can rent OHVs and a tour guide at Highpoint Hummer. The trail has 26 waypoints. When you get to the fork, go right to Hell’s Gate, and when leaving, stay to the right at the fork to make the loop.
Starting and Ending Points
The trailhead is on Sand Flats Road east of Moab just past the Sand Flats Entrance Station. It ends at Huntress Arch and loops back on itself to provide a bypass for Hell’s Gate.
Obstacles on the Trail
Long, steep climbs. Difficult obstacles are named, such as the Escalator and Hell’s Gate.
Red Canyon
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 8.7 miles
Elevation: 666 feet
Seasonality: Best used March through November
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This out-and-back trail is one of the best off road trails in Utah. Most reviewers find that this trail is highly trafficked rather than lightly trafficked. You can drive this trail, located near Kanab, with a non-lifted four-wheel drive vehicle. Hikers also use the trail. If you take your dog, it must be on a leash. Most of the trail is through deep sand, pinions, junipers and yuccas. You’ll see many sandstone slots along the way, plus many places to explore, though you’ll need climbing gear. If you’re going to take pictures, you might need a tripod in some not-so-well-lit areas of the canyon.
Starting and Ending Points
The trail starts on Route 89, just past the Sand Hills and ends in Red Canyon.
Obstacles on the Trail
Lots of sand, so deflate the tires to 20 psi. If you take 102L on the way back instead of the main 102M trail, there’s a huge hill at the end.
Moab Rim Trail
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Distance: 7.7 miles
Elevation: 1,876 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This difficult trail might be too difficult for stock RZRs, though some have made it. It is not for the inexperienced, and you won’t make it with a stock vehicle. You’ll see great views of the mountains, river, and the town, plus tons of wildflowers. The road is located on Bureau of Land Management land.
Starting and Ending Points
The trailhead is on 114 near the Colorado River just outside of Moab. It ends at the Great Overlook of Moab.
Obstacles on the Trail
Need a high clearance vehicle – one reviewer recommends 35-inch tires with a 2.5-inch lift. Tons of off-camber sections. Tough climbs.
Butterfield Canyon
Difficulty Level: Easy
Distance: 9.4 miles
Elevation: 7,775 feet
Seasonality: June 1 to Nov. 1
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
The Butterfield Canyon road has some paved sections. The trail leads you to an area known for copper mining and is in the Oquirrh Mountain Range. You’ll see forest views and great long-distance views at the top, including the Tooele and Salt Lake valleys. You’ll also be able to see into the Kennecott Copper Mine from the top. The open-pit mine is so big that you can see it from space.
No camping is allowed.
Starting and Ending Points
Take Butterfield Canyon Road off Herriman Highway. The trail ends at the Bingham Mine Overlook.
Obstacles on the Trail
None.
Gold Bar Rim
Difficulty Level: Difficult to Severe
Distance: 3.7 miles
Elevation: 5,320 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
The Gold Bar Rim is tied into the Golden Spike and Poison Spider trails. It has tons of obstacles, but if you can make it through, you’ll be rewarded with views of the Moab Canyon, desert scenery, and the Gold Bar Canyon. You can expect to suffer body damage on this trail, but views are worth the trouble to get there. When you reach the overlook, you can return the way you came or continue on the other trails.
Starting and Ending Points
Start at Gemini Bridges and follow the sandy road that heads east. The trail ends at the overlook 3.7 miles in.
Obstacles on the Trail
Rocks and vertical ledges up to 36 inches tall. Near vertical ledges and waterfalls up to 84 inches. Difficult tire placement and off-camber places. Some steep sections.
Metal Masher
Difficulty Level: Difficult – Extreme
Distance: 13 miles
Elevation: 5,700 feet
Seasonality: May 1 through Nov. 1
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
One of the best off-road trails is the Metal Masher. It’s not a trail you want to take alone. It features sand, dirt, towering cliffs, hill climbs, waterfalls and slick rock. You top all the fun off with views, including views of arches in Moab Arches National Park and snow-capped mountains. Many of the obstacles have a bypass, but several do not. You will need a lift and lockers to take this trail. It is recommended that you stop at each obstacle to pick your route or follow the white tracks on the road surface. In some places, you might need a winch.
Starting and Ending Points
Take Highway 191 north out of Moab to the Gemini Bridges trailhead, then take a left, then an immediate left onto the Gemini Bridges trail. The Metal Masher trailhead is about 5.5 miles up the trail. The end of the course is at Waypoint 18. You can turn around to go back or take a right and go out to Highway 313.
Obstacles on the Trail
You can expect body damage, narrow spots, and mild off-camber. The road is undulated or rocky. Rocks and vertical ledges up to 36 inches tall and waterfalls less than 84 inches. Steep sections, off-camber sections, and places where tire placement is difficult.