Whenever we get tired of exploring the popular trails in Moab and the ones around St. George, we seek new thrills from nearby places. The Hump N’ Bump Trails in Nevada have never disappointed. We have gone trail riding there on numerous occasions and we always find something new to explore.
St. George Utah's Off Roading 4X4 Trails
Moab might be the ultimate off-roading destination in Utah but St. George is quickly gaining a legion of fans. This town might be just 2 hours from Las Vegas on the I-15 but we guarantee you won’t have time to think about hopping over to the casinos. Not when there is so much off-roading fun to be had surrounded by the most gorgeous scenery imaginable. This place has mountains, deserts, cliffs, and interesting rock formations all vying for your attention.
The good off-roading trails are near or around St. George so you don’t have to drive too far to get to them. The most well-known off-roading hotspots in St. George include Sand Hollow State Park and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.
In our posts, we have highlighted some of the most notable trails in St. George mostly focusing on those found in Sand Hollow’s Sand Mountain.
Why choose St. George for Off-Roading?
Sand Hollow State Park is a massive 20,000-acre park found 15 miles east of St. George. With 15,000 acres dedicated to off-highway vehicles (OHVs) you can see why it’s rapidly becoming a favorite among the off-roading crowd. What makes off-roading even more special in this part of the southwest is that you’ll be driving on red sand and sand dunes. Moab might have the slickrock and rock crawling but St. George cornered the market on dune shredding, making for a completely unique experience.
If you want to avoid the crowds, you can hop on over to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes National Park and take a turn on the warm, pink-hued sand dunes with fantastic views of Zion National Park. Both parks have extensive trails of varying difficulties so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something that suits your skill level. Additionally, they both have campgrounds on site so you can have a more immersive adventure by camping out.
Off-roading OHV Rules in St. George
Before you go exploring all the exciting trails in St. George, here are some OHV rules you should familiarize yourself with:
- Ensure you display a current OHV registration sticker on your vehicle. If you’re a non-local, you can get a non-resident OHV permit for any off-roading vehicle you drive in Utah.
- When riding in the sand dunes, make sure you have a red/orange whip flag attached to your OHV so that others can know you’re there.
- Always use lights when riding at night –between sunset and sunrise.
- Keep on the right side of the road in a single file.
- Remember that most national parks don’t allow off-road vehicles within their limits.
Safety Tips for Off-Roading in St. George
We would be remiss if we just pointed out the notable trails in this corner of the country without letting you know some of the tips to help keep you safe out there. Here they are:
- Always wear your seatbelt. No exceptions.
- Always drive sober. Alcohol and drugs don’t go well with off-roading.
- Don’t hold on to the vehicle’s roll bar. This is a sure way to get serious broken bones if the vehicle tips over.
- Always drive straight down hills or steep terrain because driving diagonally increases the risk of rolling over. Also, know your vehicle’s approach and departure angles as well as its lowest points to avoid snagging them on obstacles you encounter on the trail.
- When driving on sand or gravel, it’s always a good idea to air down the tires to increase traction. Remember to air them back up once you get back to the tarmac.
- Always pack a safety kit containing some basic emergency items e.g. a flashlight, a radio, blankets, some dry food, etc., and extra gear just in case.
- If you can’t see what’s ahead of you on the trail, get out of the vehicle and go inspect it on foot. You can also use a spotter to avoid running into nasty surprises.
- Ensure your vehicle is in good condition before hitting the trails. Mechanics like the ones at the Dixie 4 Wheel Drive auto shop in St. George can check your vehicle and make sure the oils and fluids are topped up, the tires are well-treaded and in good condition and they have the right pressure.
- Never go on an off-roading adventure on your own. If you run into any trouble out there, you’ll be glad to have another 4x4 to help you out.
- Maintain trail etiquette by Treading lightly. This stands for:
· T-Travel responsibly- stick to the designated off-roading trails and maintain a safe distance between vehicles.
· R- Respect the rights of others e.g. private property owners and all recreational users and campers. Yield the right of way when you meet others on the trail.
· E- Educate yourself by researching the area and trails you wish to explore beforehand. Also, know how to safely and correctly operate your vehicle and other equipment. It’s also a good idea to research the off-roading regulations governing the area you want to visit in case any fees and permits are required.
· A- Avoid sensitive areas. This includes avoiding the delicate desert soil by sticking to the trail. Also avoid designated wilderness areas and historical or archaeological sites.
· D- Do your part as a responsible off-roader. Don’t litter, pack out what you pack in and be quiet at campgrounds. It’s also good practice to wash off your vehicle before and after off-roading to avoid transferring invasive species from one place to another.
Keep in mind that we all need to work together to make sure that these trails remain pristine and open for the next generations to enjoy.
Next to crafting custom-built 4x4s, we at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive love organizing trail rides to explore the fantastic trails we have in Southern Utah. We encourage you to sign up and join us whenever you’re in the area. We’re sure you’ll have a blast off-roading with us.
St. George Utah's Off Roading 4X4 Trail List
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The southwest is known for a network of off-roading trails from the popular ones in Moab to the lesser-known ones dotted around the Grand Canyon. The latter tend not to draw as big a crowd as the former, making them ideal for those who want something more intimate with nature. These less popular trails in the North Rim also happen to be scenic with plenty of hidden treasures if one knows where to explore.
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People often think that the trails around St. George, Utah can’t hold a candle to the more popular ones in Moab. The truth is that these are some of the most scenic trails in the southwest and often contain some hidden treasures that will keep you coming back for more.
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There are weekends you want to stay close to home and others where you feel like heading out to see the world. On weekends like this, we at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive load up our Jeeps and head out into the desert.
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Visitors to our corner of Utah are always excited when they learn they can simultaneously stand on three states at the same time by visiting Three-Corners.
We also don’t like to pass up the chance to go explore the outdoors and often invite other avid off-roaders to join us on one of our trail runs. That way, we can all learn from each other while having fun.
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Living in St. George means that you’re spoilt for choice whenever the urge to go explore the outdoors hits. The desert may not seem like the best place for a trip but you’d be surprised by how many trails there are and how much fun you can have. Since these trails are in the desert, you won’t have to worry about crowds as you’d get in the popular trails in Moab.
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Whenever visitors come to our auto shop, they always ask for tips on what to see and where to go. One of the places we regularly recommend is Kanab. This small town is the embodiment of southwestern charm. It’s no surprise that it used to be a popular filming location for old westerns and still draws a sizable crowd annually. There are plenty of things to see and do and from Kanab, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is quite close so you can include it as a side trip.
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Living in St. George means having numerous alternatives to the popular off-roading trails in Moab. While the trails near and around St. George may not draw as many visitors, they are steeped in history and beautiful scenery and are great for a weekend of exploring with your friends or family.
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We at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive love attending off-roading events. Other than the Easter Jeep Safari organized by the Red Rock 4 Wheelers, we also make time for the Hump N’ Bump.
This is a 3-day event organized by the Vegas Valley 4 Wheelers. The event is held in the Logandale Trails area as well as the Valley of Fire recreation area. Aside from rock crawling, it also features vendor booths for different companies, various spectator events, a bonfire, raffles, and a dinner. It’s great fun for the entire family.
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With so many trails near St. George, we have to admit that we’re often spoiled for choice. We can choose to go rock-crawling or try out the obstacles on some of the popular trails in Moab or explore further afield.
