Jeeping in St. George Utah: Can You Handle It?
Sunny red rock cliffs and rolling waves of sand are an off-roader’s paradise. Everything from rock crawling to hauling full speed across the desert are what bring dirtbikers, atv riders, side-by-side riders, and Jeeping in St. George Utah. The range of terrain types and sheer amount of riding space are incomparable that that of Northern Utah. Rock crawling has always been popular and with modern advances in technology more can get into Jeep rock crawling at a more affordable price. Who wants to ride mountain bikes up and down rocks when a Jeep can do it? Let the machine do the work, not your legs! Here are 5 trails to check out on your next visit to the area! If you’re new to off-roading, we’ve included some safety tips to review before heading out on your next adventure!
Whitmore Canyon 2.0
Length: 83 mi
Difficulty: Moderate
Rating: 4.5/5
Whitmore Canyon OHV Trail is a beautiful long distance down and back trail. The first 50 miles are well-graded roads easily accessible by most vehicles taking less than an hour and a half. Before reaching the Bar 10 Ranch, the roads are still well-graded, a bit more narrow with a few rocks. From the Bar 10 Ranch to the Colorado River overlook is tough and slow moving over ancient lava fields. Plan for about 4 hours of drive time each way.
Milt's Mile
Length: 19.8 mi
Difficulty: Moderate
Milt’s Mile is located inside of Sand Hollow State Park. This trip is fun and scenic. All off-roaders should add this trail to their bucket list. For most of the trail the terrain is very moderate but there are a few technical sections where stock Jeeps will have a very difficult time. It’s not recommended to take stock equipment on Milt’s Mile. You’ll want to have a winch, aired-down heavy duty tires and a lift kit to begin with. Additional modifications may be added at your discretion.
There are a few alternate routes that can be taken that are more advantageous for stock Jeeps like Milt’s Light.
The Maze
Length: 1.5 mi
Difficulty: Hard
Rating: 4.5/5
The Maze is an extremely technical trail that you should plan to take all day even though it’s only 1.5 miles long. The obstacles you face are extremely difficult and non-stop. This trail is known for steep ascents and descents and challenging off-camber. Stock jeeps or trucks won’t be able to complete this trail. It’s recommended that vehicles have 35-inch or larger tires. Short wheelbases will have difficulty and most likely need to be winched up in certain areas. Which reminds us, bring a winch. Expect some damage to your vehicle.
Pine Mountain
Length: 29.7 mi
Difficulty: Moderate
Rating: 4.2/5
The Pine Mountain OHV Loop promotes a great forest setting in the midst of the arid Southern Utah desert. This trail is an easy trail to ride but due to seasonal and weather erosion is considered moderate. Depending on the time of year, the Pine Mountain Loop can be muddy, eroded or snowcapped.
Pine Mountain Loop is located north of Santa Clara and Ivins. To get to the trailhead, follow E Red Hills Pkwy and UT-18 N and turn right on Diamond Valley Dr. You’ll see the trail head from there.
Black Rock Canyon
Length: 33.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Rating: 5/5
Black Rock Canyon Loop is a lightly trafficked moderate trail that is great for dirt bikes/ motorcycles as the trail contains some rolling whoops. The terrain is diverse so recreationalists get to experience different scenery and trail difficulty. There is minimal shade so make sure you wear appropriate clothing, bring sunscreen and plenty of water. This trail is best enjoyed from March to November.
Black Rock Canyon OHV Trail is located east of the St. George Regional Airport. Take Exit 13 off of I-15 S and head east along S Washington Fields Rd to E Warner Valley Rd.
Stay Safe Out There!
There are many safety considerations to keep in mind when going Jeeping in St. George Utah. We love to share our favorite and local favorite trails but besides having fun & exploring, safety comes first. Here are some safety considerations:
Always wear your seatbelt.
Always drive sober.
Always drive straight up and down hills to prevent a rollover.
Air down your tires when driving on sand or gravel.
Always pack a safety kit.
Always know what is in front of your vehicle. If you can’t see, get out and inspect.
Ensure your vehicle is in a good working condition.
Never travel alone.
As always, TREAD lightly:
T- travel responsibly- stick to designated roads and maintain safe distances.
R- respect the rights of others.
E- educate yourself- study up on the area before entering.
A- avoid sensitive areas- this includes restricted wilderness areas, archeological sites, and soft sand.
D- do your part to be responsible- pack out what you pack in, be mindful of others and animals. in the area and avoid transferring invasive species from one area to another.
The Possibilities of Jeeping in St. George are Endless
There are so many trails in Southern Utah, it’s impossible to list them all! We hope these trails give you a starting point for your Jeeping in St. George Utah endeavours. As you ride these you’ll see so many trailheads hopefully you’ll have plenty of new trails to ride in the future! As always, TREAD lightly and stay safe out there!
Search Homes for Sale in St. George, Utah
If you give Jeeping in St. George Utah a chance, we guarantee you’ll fall in love with the endless possibilities the Southern Utah desert oasis provides. How sweet would it be to stay in your own home while vacationing to St. George? What if that home brought in rental income while you were away? You could cover your mortgage, earn income and crash in your own place! Contact us today if you’d like more information.
