Southern Utah has open sand, slickrock and desert roads for ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes. Know the rules before you go: registration and an education course are required, and some places are off limits.
Where To Ride
Sand Mountain OHV Area
A BLM open OHV area next to Sand Hollow State Park, east of St. George. Miles of technical trails and open riding, with views of St. George, the Hurricane Cliffs and the Pine Valley Mountains.
- Main access: Waddy’s Corral Trailhead, about 0.5 miles south of Sand Hollow Road
- No fee
- Dispersed camping up to 14 days in any 28
- BLM St. George Field Office: 435-688-3200
Sand Hollow State Park OHV Area
Ride the dunes of Sand Mountain from the state park’s OHV parking lot. The park posts Sand Mountain trail maps and a live OHV camera on its website.
- 1699 Sand Hollow Dr, Santa Clara
- Park phone: 435-680-0715
- Day-use fees: see the park fees page
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Dune riding near Kanab, with a full campground: RV sites, tent pads, showers and a dump station. Reserve camping through Utah State Parks.
- Open daylight hours, seven days a week
- Park phone: 435-648-2800
The Strip And Beaver Dam Mountains
BLM-managed areas west of St. George. Stay on existing roads, and get the current travel map from the BLM before you ride, because some of the land is wilderness where vehicles are not allowed.
- Managed by the BLM St. George Field Office
- Call 435-688-3200 for maps
Dixie National Forest ATV Trails
The Pine Valley Ranger District lists four named ATV trails for trail and road riding.
- Bull Valley Mountain ATV Trail #31003
- Cave ATV Trail #31039
- Grass Valley ATV Trail #31040
- Ox Valley ATV Trail #31041
- ATV routes in the forest are limited to vehicles 50 inches wide or less
- Off-road travel is prohibited in the forest; stay on marked routes
Washington County OHV Map
Utah State Parks publishes a county map with nearly 340 miles of featured OHV roads and trails, plus hundreds more miles of unfeatured routes. It shows vehicle type, difficulty and mileage between intersections.
- Most areas are rideable all year; lower elevations are best from late fall to early spring
- Helmets are required for riders under 18
- National parks and wilderness areas are closed to OHVs
- Honeycomb Rocks Campground near Enterprise does not allow ATV use in camp
- Riding is not allowed on the Hurricane Cliffs trail system
Rules To Know
Register Your OHV
Every off-highway vehicle operated or transported in Utah must be registered. Nonresident-owned vehicles are exempt. OHVs from 1988 on also need a title.
Take The Free Course
Utah requires every OHV operator to complete the OHV education course. It takes under 30 minutes and is taken once. Under 18 needs a youth certificate, 18 and older an adult certificate.
Know What Is Off Limits
ATVs are not allowed in Zion or Grand Canyon National Parks. Vehicles are not allowed in wilderness areas, and the Pine Valley Recreation Area does not allow OHVs.
Stay On Existing Roads
Keep to established roads and routes, and share trails with hikers, bikers and equestrians. Get travel maps from the BLM or Forest Service.
More sources: US Forest Service Pine Valley Ranger District and Honeycomb Rocks Campground pages; Utah State Parks Washington County OHV map; BLM Hurricane Cliffs brochure.