Off road Utah

Going on the 'official' off-road trails is fun and we've used the Wells and Massey books but if you want to mix in some easier scenic drives on actual back-country roads, pick up the Benchmark Atlas for Utah. It has very easy-to-read maps along with specifying scenic sites. The Benchmark series is made for all the western states and we use them constantly. They're excellent!

Also, especially for the Moab area, just go into the local Visitor Center and they'll have maps of the more popular trails. Have a good trip!!

Thank you all for your input.

I am excited to get there and try out some your suggestions.

Ditto on the Wells books. Use them for wheeling and ATVing. We've spent probably a total of six months in the Moad/Green River area over the last seven years, and we're still finding new places.

Don't miss the roads north and south of Green River, Utah. Some are just scenic county roads, some easy old mining road and washes. There are some really nice moderate side roads and some we won't touch. There aren't any guide books for Green River, but there are some good local free guides given away. If you stay at the KOA in Green River, Joe the owner, can give you about two weeks worth of easy to moderate fun. You won't get an adrenalin fix, but it is serious eye candy.

One of our favorites in Green River is to drive out to exit 139 on I70 go north on Buckhorn Draw Rd (county road), go to Swinging Bridge and then turn back on the San Rafael River Rd. ( high ground clearance but not necessarily 4wd), drive to the end of the road.

Our very favorite run in Moab is Chicken Corners. A don't miss is Hey Joe Canyon. It is rated as difficult, but the run down to the Colorado River is a piece of cake. It is only difficult at the end.

Boy does this thread bring back memories!

18 months ago, we went to Moab, Utah for 2 weeks. DW booked a "romantic" hummer sunset ride to a Colorado River overlook.

She had never heard of ROCK CRAWLING!

She spent the entire tour curled up in the floorboard of the hummer.

It was the highlight of MY visit.

It was called "Hell's Revenge" for a reason.

rr2254545 wrote:
Going to hit the 5 National Parks in the spring.

Any books etc on off road Jeep trails. Probable not higher than level 3 in difficulty as DW had a problem last year with flooded road and streams in Redwood National Park.

This is my first Jeep so I am not sure where to look

Sir,
You've been given good advice in obtaining books. Now, here's something to consider. If you know when you're going to be in Moab, look up the "Red Rock Four Wheelers" jeep club, based in Moab UT. We ran in the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab UT for 14 years in a row and, that jeep club is a great bunch of people. They are seriously knowledgeable about all 50 or so, trails in their region. Books are great in terms of what's there to see but, FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE and, UP TO DATE KNOWLEDGE AT THAT, is priceless in terms of conditions of trails, fences, locked gates, ease or hardness of any trail at any particular time.

Most of those members of that club will be glad to talk with you and or, even do some form of an escort if that's what's agreed on. Most of them can't get enough of running around in their back yard. Like stated, we ran that area for 14 years and covered most all of the easy ones and, most of the hard to HARDEST ones too. Each year, those trails get more and more use, which means more and more wear and tear on the trail which also means, they get more and more difficult.

Now, to many, "Difficult" is like an adrenaline fix when it comes to jeeping. The more DIFFICULT, the more they want to run that trail. Well, "difficulty" in jeep running, can mean different things to different people. We've been on many trails that state: 4-Wheel Drive Required". Well, on a large percentage of those, you could have take a Cadillac Seville on without any issues.

But, some, were actually representative of the forewarning sign. So, again, have a good time. There's miles and miles of beautiful things to see off roading. Especially in the Moab area. Outstanding terrain features, majestic valleys and hills and tons more. But, again, I'd seriously think about contacting that Jeep club and, tell them your capabilities and desires and they, should be able to guide you to EXACTY what would work for you and your wife. Good luck and have a great time.
Scott

It was a tradition that we (my son and I) would run Elephant Hill every time we made a trip to Moab.
Top Of The World is an interesting trail.
We talked many times about doing White Rim, but it is a 2 day trip and I don't do tent camping any more.

In the Moab/Canyonlands area, Potash Road/Schaffer Canyon, Gemini Bridges, and Chicken Corners are fun relatively easy trails.

Some easy but very scenic roads (all lead to more difficult roads if you choose):

Burr Trail

Plenty of side trails to wander off on... Look for the dinosaur tracks.

Hells Backbone

Through the forest but the payoff at the end is worth it if you start at the Escalante end.

Long Canyon Road

Take long canyon road down, not up. The views are not to be missed. A couple of years ago, an F250 fit with room to spare...

Bionic Man wrote:
Buy the Charles Wells offroad books for the areas you will be in. We have them for Moab as well as Colorado. They are worth the purchase.

X-3

This is the ultimate book of trails for the Moab area. Have 2 as we bought a new updated one last year.

A couple of websites that may be useful:
JeepYrailInfo.com
Trails.com

I know you are looking for info on Utah, but if you get to Colorado, the Bush Ducks site is useful for determining when the various passes are open.