Tooele Area
West of the Salt Lake Valley, the Oquirrhs and surrounding Tooele County terrain offer scenic canyon drives, mining history, and mellow desert routes perfect for stock vehicles and beginner off-roaders.
Ophir Canyon Road
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: Near Ophir • Distance: ~10 miles • Time: 1–2 hours
A mellow, scenic canyon road above the historic mining town of Ophir. Narrow in places but friendly for beginners looking for an intro to canyon driving in the Oquirrhs.
Best For: Scenic beginner canyon driving.
What You’ll See: Forested canyon, mining relics.
Hazards: Seasonal ruts, narrow shelf sections.
View Trailhead MapJacob City Road
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: Above Stockton • Distance: ~12 miles • Time: 1–3 hours
Climbs from Stockton toward the old Jacob City mining area with wide views over Tooele Valley. Mostly mellow with some rocky patches depending on weather.
Best For: Easy exploring with history.
What You’ll See: Old mining remains, big valley views.
Hazards: Washouts after storms.
View Route MapMercur Canyon
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: South Oquirrhs • Distance: 10–20+ miles • Time: 1–3 hours
A mellow desert canyon with scattered mining history and sweeping views. Great for stock rigs wanting more distance than Five Mile but without technical terrain.
View Area MapStansbury Island Ridge Road
Difficulty: Beginner–ModerateLocation: Great Salt Lake • Distance: ~30 miles • Time: 2–4 hours
A scenic ridge route along the island’s spine with lake views on both sides. Mostly easy, but off-camber sections require slow, smart driving.
View Route MapLittle Valley Road → Middle Canyon
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: North Oquirrhs • Distance: 8–15 miles • Time: 1–2 hours
A pleasant forested connector between Tooele’s Middle Canyon system and the Oquirrh foothills. Great for beginners wanting mountain scenery without steep exposure.
View Area MapMiddle Canyon to Lowe Peak Lookout
Difficulty: Beginner–ModerateLocation: Tooele City • Distance: 6–10 miles • Time: 1–2 hours
A gorgeous ridgeline spur from Middle Canyon toward Lowe Peak. Mellow to start, then slightly rockier higher up. Stock-friendly with careful lines.
View Route MapDry Creek (Erda)
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: Between Erda & Stansbury • Distance: Variable • Time: 1–2 hours
A simple, mellow dirt wash that winds through the foothills. Great for new drivers learning throttle control in sandy or dusty conditions.
View Area MapFive Mile Pass — Tooele Side
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: East of Vernon • Distance: 10–20 miles • Time: 1–3 hours
The west-side approach to Five Mile is less busy and offers mellow dirt roads and wide-open scenery. A great warm-up trail for total beginners.
View Trailhead MapSunset Peak Road (Stockton Foothills)
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: South Stockton • Distance: ~8 miles • Time: 1–1.5 hours
Easy dirt climb with great sunset views over the valley. A perfect beginner-friendly golden-hour run.
View Route MapVernon Hills Loop
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: South Tooele County • Distance: 12–25 miles • Time: 1–3 hours
Mellow desert rolling hills with tons of optional spurs and sightseeing stops. Great for shaking down a new rig or teaching new drivers.
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