Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
By mixing water, wind, and wild weather, and letting everything simmer for a really long time, Mother Nature has blessed Utah with magnificent surroundings for humans to enjoy.
For many, this means exploring nature on foot — soaking in the views, breathing in the fresh air.
Others find thrill in the form of human-powered equipment, like skis and bikes.
But if you (literally) want to shift a gear, there's another option: Firing up an off-highway vehicle (OHV) and heading straight into terrain.
From crawling grippy slickrock to cruising endless sand dunes, the Beehive State allows you to remain fully immersed in the great outdoors while still enjoying the roar of an engine.
Here's why Utah is one of the best places in the country to go off roading — and where to go to experience it.
Tremendous terrain
At some point in your life, someone's probably told you you "couldn't have it all." But clearly, they were unfamiliar with the sheer diversity of off roading terrain offered by our compact state.
Down south, places like Moab and Sand Hollow have gained worldwide notoriety for their slickrock sandstone — the very same sandstone that has forged the region's iconic backdrops and warm color scheme.
Get closer to the Wasatch Range and Uinta Mountains, and the trails look and feel completely different: they're narrower, shadier, and highly scenic.
Creek crossings and long dirt climbs become the norm.
Then you've got the expansive desert washes and sand dunes, like Little Sahara or San Rafael Swell recreation areas, where you can easily rack up the miles over open space and rolling terrain.
This unique mix of terrain is rare, if not impossible to find in any other region stateside.
Ubiquitous access
So maybe you can have it all. But you can't have it all, all the time, right? Wrong again!
First of all, as of now, Utah has a massive amount of public lands. Roughly two-thirds of our state is public land, and that is good for off roading.
Large portions of the state are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Forest Service, and state trust lands, which means more places to play — you're not restricted to just a few crowded trail systems.
BLM land is particularly off-road-friendly, with clear rules and a history of shared use.
In plain terms, off-roaders in Utah get:
- Thousands of miles of legal OHV routes.
- Fewer locked gates and paid entrances (and pay-to-play is usually on the cheaper side.)
- Extensive trail networks, not just short loops.
Additionally, off roading is almost always in season in Utah — one of the few places where this is true.
When snow shuts down higher elevations, it's easy to head down south to Moab, St. George, or Kanab, where the mild winter temperatures make for ideal riding conditions. This works the other way around, too: When the desert becomes inhospitable, you can make your way north to find cooler air and green landscapes.
A thriving off-roading culture and infrastructure
Off roading is the expectation in Utah, not the exception: Many have been passengers in an ATV before they could even say "Polaris."
This strong culture means that trails are usually well-marked and well-reviewed, so despite having an abundance of options, you always know what you're getting into.
Towns such as Moab and Hurricane, which are built around outdoor access, openly welcome OHVs.
Near such towns and throughout the state, you'll find easy access to fuel and supplies, guides, and rentals if you're only an occasional (or new) off-roader
This statewide affinity for off roading also means that there are regular events where you can mingle with fellow enthusiasts and vendors, such as the Salt Lake Off-Road and Outdoor Expo (SLOREX), happening Feb. 27 and 28 at the Mountain America Expo Center.
At SLOREX, you'll find vendors showcasing everything from Jeep, UTV, ATV, and motorcycle parts to camping gear, outdoor clothing, and trailers. There are also on-stage presentations and classes where experienced off-roaders share wisdom on exploring responsibly and keeping Utah's trails open for the future.
Three top off-roading destinations
As mentioned earlier, there's no shortage of off-road options in Utah. Narrowing it down to a few is difficult, but you can't go wrong with these three locations:
Moab
Gold star, A+, can't miss — whatever superlative you want to throw at it, Moab is Utah's most famous off roading destination for a reason.
Its legendary slickrock terrain offers unique traction and a range of trail difficulty to please all levels, from the scenic and lengthy White Rim Road to technical classics like Hell's Revenge.
Little Sahara Recreation Area
Just west of Utah Lake are the open dunes of Little Sahara, which offers plenty of space for beginners and experienced riders alike. Carving through the sand at whatever speed they feel comfortable with, ATVs, dirtbikes, and side-by-sides are all welcome here.
The Wasatch Mountains
Trails near the Wasatch Range offer miles of alpine OHV trails featuring cooler temperatures, aspen groves, and mountain views. These trails normally lean more scenic than technical, so they're great for overland-style rigs and unstructured summer rides.
