When it comes to talking about the top off-roading destinations in the country, Utah always comes up and with good reason. With a wide variety of different trails to try out – from Pritchett Canyon and Hell’s Revenge to Fins and Things, Moab Rim and everything in between- plus the most amazing scenery you’ve ever come across, it’s easy to see why this remains an off-roaders favorite destination.
While Moab is often the main attraction for avid off-roaders who make their way to Utah, there are other spots that will provide just as much thrill and adventure. For instance, Sand Hollow State Park is one of the country’s biggest Jeep and 4×4 playground with over 20,000 acres of obstacles and trails. Located just 15 miles from St. George, it offers hours of adventure for all from novices to hard-core off-roaders.
With all the tough, rough, gnarly trails and adrenalin-inducing obstacles available, it can be hard to choose suitable trails for your Jeep. Here are 10 things that you need to know about off-roading on Utah’s famous Jeeping trails that will hopefully help with your decision:
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Be careful on that slickrock.
Most off-roaders agree that driving on the region’s unique slickrock is an experience like no other. It almost feels like you’re driving on sandpaper. The good thing is that this surface will provide lots of traction for your Jeep. On the negative side, there are places where the transition from soft sand to hard slickrock is quite sudden. Watch out for that as coming up suddenly on hard rock can do a number on your drivetrain.
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Don’t miss the breathtaking scenery.
Okay, the scenery might not be top on your list when planning a prime off-roading adventure but trust us, you don’t want to miss the views in Utah. Look up once in a while from rock crawling and you’ll be greeted by the kind of scenery many only see on National Geographic. Dramatic cliff faces, plunging canyons, beautiful red sandstone and a variety of rock formations will have you making copious photo stops during your adventure.
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Get your Jeep trail-ready before you go.
Before hitting the trails and obstacles, ensure that your Jeep is running right. Bring your Jeep to Dixie 4 Wheel Drive for quick servicing before heading out. We’ll check your oil, top up your fluids, rotate your tires and ensure everything is good to go. Remember you’ll be doing a lot of high-revving which results in lots of heat. Making sure your Jeep can handle this will prevent it from boiling over or breaking down.
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Make sure you learn the tricks.
Some of the trails in Utah might be ideal for beginners but the really fun ones require a lot of technical driving and maneuvering. You’ll need the right driving skills to know how to negotiate the obstacles you’ll encounter. That’s why we decided to offer off-roading classes to train novices on how to make off-roading a safe, fun sport. Enroll for our classes today and you too will learn the skills and tricks to make you a pro on the trail.
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Don’t go it alone.
One important tip you should always remember when off-roading in Utah is to never hit the trails on your own. In most cases, taking a co-driver or a spotter along will save you lots of time, allowing your trip to go smoothly. Additionally, joining others on group trail rides will not only make your adventure more fun but will also ensure that you have help available in case something goes wrong.
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Always keep an emergency off-roading kit handy.
Another tip is to always keep an emergency off-roading kit in your rig to mitigate any problems you run into. This kit should be well-stocked with basics such as a tire repair kit, a flashlight, wrench and socket set, extra car keys, a tow strap, a tree saver, extra food and water and extra clothing too. You should also always have a spare tire or two, a jack, a map, GPS or compass as well as communication devices.
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Know where you are going.
Even though you’re looking for adventure out on Utah’s trails, getting lost won’t be much fun. So make sure you learn all you can about the area you intend to visit and familiarize yourself with the trail-rating system so you pick one that suits your abilities. You can also set the trail coordinates on your GPS to ensure you don’t get lost both to and from the trail. It’s also a good idea to check the weather forecast before heading out as you really don’t want to be trapped on a trail during inclement weather.
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If in doubt, take the bypass.
There are about 249 off-roading trails all over Utah. Some of these might be easy but some will really put you and your Jeep to the test. The good thing is that there are bypasses to most of the harrowing obstacles so if you’re in doubt, take those instead. There’s no need to take undue risks if you don’t know what you’re doing, only to end up getting hurt, stuck or damaging your Jeep. If an obstacle seems too hard for you, there’s no shame in taking the bypass.
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Camp out when you can.
Utah has a lot of places where you can camp out-especially in Sand Hollow. So why not cap your off-roading adventure with a night out under the stars? You can choose from RV parks and other camping sites to find one that suits you and your adventure party. Just be a responsible off-roader and ensure you don’t litter.
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Don’t be afraid to test your rig.
Finally, the trails and obstacles in Utah provide the perfect opportunity for you to put your Jeep to the test. Don’t be afraid to try out some new obstacles as long as you keep it slow and watch your wheels.
Try off-roading in Utah and we guarantee you’ll be back for more.
