7 Best ATV Trails in Utah for Off-Road Adventures

If you’re into off-roading — whether you’re riding a fully built UTV, a trail-ready ATV, or a dirt bike with paddle tires — Utah needs to be on your radar. This state isn’t just another place to ride; it’s an off-road experience that spans every terrain imaginable.

Picture this: one day you’re carving through 700-foot sand dunes in the Little Sahara, and the next, you’re climbing above 10,000 feet into alpine forests along Skyline Drive on the Arapeen Trail.

Down south, you’ll find the iconic red-rock slick rock of Moab, where trails like Hell’s Revenge and Fins & Things have earned worldwide fame for their technical thrills. Want something more family-friendly?

Try the open freedom of White Wash Sand Dunes or the aquatic-meets-off-road blend of Sand Hollow State Park. And then there’s the Paiute Trail — a 900-mile backcountry network that practically defines “adventure riding.”

With over 80,000 miles of designated OHV routes, scenic byways, and well-equipped staging areas, Utah offers something for every skill level, machine type, and adventure style. And the best part? Many of these trails start right outside your campground or hotel — no trailering needed.

1. Paiute ATV Trail – Central Utah’s Crown Jewel

The Paiute ATV Trail is widely regarded as the crown jewel of Utah’s off-road network.

This isn’t just because of its sheer size — though with 900+ miles of interconnected trails, it’s massive — but because of the way it immerses riders in Utah’s backcountry heritage.

Developed in the late 1980s to help locals preserve access to hunting and fishing lands, the trail now links small, ATV-friendly towns where you can ride straight down Main Street to fuel up or grab a burger.

The terrain diversity is remarkable: one moment you’re winding through sun-drenched sagebrush flats, and the next you’re climbing into alpine forests with waterfalls and wildlife sightings.

Perhaps most striking is the elevation, reaching over 10,000 feet in some places, which offers breathtaking panoramic views and crisp, cool air even in mid-summer.

The trail is peppered with landmarks like Miner’s Park, a restored 1880s mining camp, and Fremont Indian State Park, where you can view millennia-old petroglyphs carved into canyon walls.

The trail’s loop design makes it flexible, allowing riders to join from dozens of points without backtracking.

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2. Arapeen OHV Trail – Skyline Views and Alpine Serenity

The Arapeen OHV Trail System is like a secret alpine playground for off-roaders. Winding through the Manti-La Sal National Forest, it serves up high-elevation riding with expansive views that stretch across the Sanpete Valley.

At nearly 11,000 feet, Skyline Drive is the showstopper here, snaking along a mountain spine where the horizon seems to go on forever.

Compared to Utah’s southern red rock trails, Arapeen offers a refreshing contrast: pine forests, wildflower-dotted meadows, and mirror-still mountain lakes.

It’s not just the scenery that stands out — this trail system is designed to be family-friendly and activity-rich. Riders can combine off-roading with geocaching, fishing, and even photo scavenger hunts set up for kids.

The trails are well-marked and generally wide, with easy-to-moderate difficulty levels dominating most of the map.

Locals and visitors alike appreciate how accessible the system is, with trails starting right from towns like Ephraim and Manti, where ATV use is allowed on city streets. It’s a trail network that combines adventure, education, and natural beauty all in one.

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3. Sand Hollow State Park – Off-Road & On the Water

What sets Sand Hollow apart from every other trail on this list is that it blends off-roading with aquatic adventure.

Nestled near the town of Hurricane, this park includes a sprawling 15,000 acres of red sand dunes alongside a sparkling 1,300-acre reservoir.

One minute you’re conquering steep dune climbs, and the next you’re swimming, kayaking, or jet-skiing. It’s a dual-sport paradise for families and friend groups with varying interests.

The terrain is as stunning as it is rideable — sculpted red rock formations and open sand fields sit beneath a backdrop of jagged desert mountains.

The Sand Mountain OHV Area is particularly popular, with riding zones ranging from soft dunes to rock scrambles.

The infrastructure is solid: plenty of developed campgrounds, easy trailer access, and nearby amenities in St. George make it a comfortable spot for a multi-day base camp.

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4. Little Sahara Recreation Area – Utah’s Premier Dune Destination

Little Sahara isn’t just a trail — it’s a full-on off-road experience.

Located two hours south of Salt Lake City, it offers 60,000 acres of open riding, where you can carve your own line across the landscape. The centerpiece is Sand Mountain, a 700-foot dune that draws thrill-seekers for steep climbs and daredevil descents.

But the area isn’t all wild riding — there are beginner-friendly zones like White Sand Dunes, and families can enjoy kid-safe sand play areas in the Rockwell Natural Area, where motorized vehicles are off-limits.

The dunes shift several feet each year due to wind patterns, creating a dynamic, ever-changing terrain.

With 255 campsites equipped with toilets and water, it’s easy to set up for a long weekend.

Holiday events, especially over Easter weekend, turn the place into a dune-riding festival, with over 20,000 people gathering to share their love of OHVs.

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5. Hell’s Revenge – Moab’s Ultimate Off-Road Test

Hell’s Revenge is one of the most infamous trails in the American Southwest, and for good reason. It’s Slickrock at its most extreme, demanding nerve, skill, and the right machine.

Carved into Navajo sandstone within the Sand Flats Recreation Area, the trail snakes across high ridges, razor-thin paths, and steep inclines that look impossible until you drive them. It’s a visceral, edge-of-your-seat ride that delivers adrenaline and awe in equal measure.

This isn’t a trail for most ATVs — it’s best suited for high-clearance UTVs or 4x4s. But those who tackle it are rewarded with sweeping views of Arches National Park, the Colorado River, and the La Sal Mountains.

Essentials

6. Fins & Things – Moab’s Slickrock Playground

Fins & Things is a moderately challenging rollercoaster through some of Moab’s most iconic slickrock terrain. Named for the fin-like sandstone ridges that rise above the desert floor, this 9.8-mile loop offers a wild, technical ride that feels like a theme park made of stone.

@dfuse Riding the infamous Fins’n’things in Moab, Utah. Absolutely mindblowing location for dirtbiking. #finsnthings #finsnthingstrail #moab #utah #dirtbike #ktm ♬ heavy metal step(1417758) – S_R

There are steep ascents, sudden drops, and tight turns — all surrounded by glowing red cliffs and wide-open sky.

Unlike Hell’s Revenge, this trail is accessible to intermediate riders, making it a great introduction to Moab’s signature slickrock experience. It’s a Jeep Badge of Honor trail, and many riders use it to test skills before attempting more extreme routes. It’s also dotted with bypasses that let you skip the hardest sections if needed.

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7. White Wash Sand Dunes – Remote Freedom Riding

White Wash Sand Dunes is one of the best-kept secrets for off-roaders seeking solitude and natural beauty. Located in a remote part of eastern Utah, it offers 1,400 acres of open dunes surrounded by trails that wind through red rock cliffs, desert washes, and cottonwood groves.

Unlike the highly-developed Little Sahara, White Wash is all about freedom and self-sufficiency. There are no restrooms, no water spigots, and no rangers — just wide-open terrain and the sound of your engine echoing across the desert.

It’s popular with families who want to ride together without crowds or traffic. Nearby Green River provides a minimal supply hub for food, fuel, and RV hookups if needed.

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Bottom Line

Utah is the kind of place that doesn’t just check boxes — it blows expectations away.

There’s something surreal about waking up to alpine meadows on the Arapeen Trail one day, and then carving dunes in blazing red sand at Sand Hollow the next.

The variety in terrain, the well-maintained trail systems, and the accessibility from ATV-friendly towns make it one of the most complete off-road destinations in the U.S.

What really stands out, though, is that Utah gives you freedom.

Whether it’s exploring 900 miles on the Paiute Trail or chasing adrenaline over Slickrock in Moab, you’re not boxed in — you’re free to roam, to push your machine, and to connect with nature on your terms.

If you’re into off-roading, and you haven’t ridden Utah yet, you’re not just missing out — you’re missing the main event.