West Desert & Utah County Trails
Wide-open desert roads, historic routes, mining districts, and mellow terrain — ideal for new drivers and great for learning how your rig behaves off pavement. These routes range from beginner to light intermediate, with optional harder lines.
Five Mile Pass
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: South of Eagle Mountain • Distance: 10–20+ miles • Time: 1–3 hours
A popular OHV area with easy dirt roads, mellow climbs, and open desert terrain. Perfect for drivers wanting a forgiving place to learn.
Best For: First-time off-road drivers.
What You’ll See: Rolling desert hills, open play areas.
Hazards: Blind hills, UTV traffic, loose gravel.
View Trailhead MapLittle Moab
Difficulty: Beginner–ModerateLocation: Near Elberta • Distance: Variable • Time: 1–4 hours
Slickrock playground with optional harder obstacles. Beginners can stay on easy dirt loops while experienced rigs tackle the rocks.
Best For: Mixed groups of stock + built rigs.
What You’ll See: Slickrock, desert views, other wheelers.
Hazards: Crowds, off-camber rock lines.
View Trailhead MapPony Express Route (Simpson Springs)
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: West Desert (Fairfield → Simpson Springs) • Distance: 30–100+ miles • Time: 2–6 hours
Historic overland route with wide graded roads and scenic desert valleys. Great for low-stress desert exploring.
Best For: Beginner overlanding.
What You’ll See: Pony Express stations, big sky vistas.
Hazards: Long stretches without services.
View General Route MapKnolls Recreation Area
Difficulty: Beginner–IntermediateLocation: I-80 West Desert • Distance: Open riding • Time: 2–5 hours
Sand dunes, open desert, and two-track roads. Great for practicing sand driving and throttle control.
Best For: Learning sand driving.
What You’ll See: Dunes, desert, distant mountain ranges.
Hazards: Soft sand & getting stuck if not aired down.
View Area MapEureka / Tintic Mining District Loop
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: Santaquin → Eureka • Distance: 15–40 miles • Time: 1.5–3 hours
An amazing historic mining loop with old buildings, ore carts, tunnels, and scenic foothill roads.
Best For: Scenic family trips.
What You’ll See: Ghost towns, mining structures.
Hazards: Old mine shafts (stay on roads).
View Area MapCherry Creek OHV Area
Difficulty: Beginner–ModerateLocation: South of Five Mile • Distance: Wide-open riding • Time: 2–4 hours
A huge OHV area with wide desert roads, open hills, and optional moderate routes.
Best For: Exploring without tight canyons.
What You’ll See: Desert views, rolling hills.
Hazards: Blind hills, UTV traffic, whoops.
View Area MapSoldier Pass / Saratoga Pass Road
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: Saratoga Springs → Fairfield • Distance: 10–18 miles • Time: 1–2 hours
A mellow ridgeline drive with fantastic lake and valley views.
Best For: Quick evening drives.
What You’ll See: Valley views, wide ridgelines.
Hazards: Occasional washouts.
View Route MapTopaz Mountain
Difficulty: BeginnerLocation: Western Utah Desert • Distance: 20–40 miles • Time: 3–6 hours
A unique geology destination where you can explore easy desert roads and hunt for topaz crystals.
Best For: Family-friendly geology trips.
What You’ll See: Slickrock, crystal pockets, open desert.
Hazards: Sharp rocks, remote terrain.
View Area MapDugway Geode Beds
Difficulty: Beginner–IntermediateLocation: West of Dugway • Distance: 20–30 miles • Time: 3–5 hours
A must-see desert route with massive valley views and easy roads leading to the famous geode beds.
Best For: Scenic beginner overlanding.
What You’ll See: Huge desert views, crystal digging areas.
Hazards: Soft sand, remote, no services.
View Area MapFish Springs National Wildlife Refuge
Difficulty: Beginner (Long Drive)Location: Far West Desert • Distance: 60–100 miles • Time: 4–7 hours
One of Utah’s most remote and peaceful areas. Wetlands surrounded by desert foothills.
Best For: All-day scenic exploration.
What You’ll See: Wildlife, historic stations, wetlands.
Hazards: Very remote; fuel up before leaving.
View Area MapIbapah / Goshute Reservation Scenic Drive
Difficulty: Intermediate (Remote)Location: UT/NV border • Distance: 40–80 miles • Time: 3–6 hours
A stunning valley at the base of Goshute Peak with peaceful desert scenery and lightly traveled roads.
Best For: Remote scenic drives.
What You’ll See: Foothills, ranch land, quiet valleys.
Hazards: Extreme remoteness + limited cell service.
View Area Map