We love encouraging avid off-roaders to take part in the different events that help them explore the various trails that Southern Utah has to offer. One of the biggest off-roading events is the Winter 4X4 Jamboree. To make things more interesting, the event covers a variety of off-roading trails, not just the most popular ones in Moab.
Moab Utahs Off Roading 4X4 Trails
There’s no doubt that Moab, Utah is the undisputed Mecca of off-roading. Don’t believe those who say that it’s not the same as it used to be. Having lived here for decades, we at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive assure you that it’s only getting better as time goes by.
Sure some trails are affected by erosion but that simply means they become more challenging and exciting to tackle. Sometimes the trails get a bit crowded but that’s what happens when lots of people want to experience world-class off-roading.
What Makes Moab the Center of Off-Roading Experiences?
Moab is an iconic place in southwest Utah. The history, breathtaking views, unique slickrock, beautiful red rock formations, and enduring off-roading culture all combine to draw hundreds of avid off-roaders to this corner of the country each year.
We have the miles of old mining trails near and around Moab to thank for the popular off-roading trails we enjoy so much today. The trails vary in rating and range from scenic drives to the toughest, gnarliest trails you’ve ever come across. There’s something for everyone here from novice off-roaders to veteran rock crawlers.
Moab’s Trail Ratings
That’s why we started highlighting the local trails in the area. We aim to give our customers and anyone else the latest, updated information on the trails so that they know what to expect when they get out there.
We use the same trail ratings as the Red Rock 4 Wheelers, the local Moab off-roading club. Using this system, the trails are rated from 1 to 10 in ascending order of difficulty. Those rated 1 or 2 are trails that are nothing more than country dirt roads that can be tackled using high-clearance 2WD with low gears and mostly 4WD in case conditions get diverse. A stock 4WD vehicle can handle these with no problem.
The fun 4 Wheeling starts on the higher-rated trails with those rated 4, 5 and 6 requiring 4WD, enhanced suspension, adequate ground clearance, good driving skills and tall tires at least 35 inches high. Traction enhancing devices are advisable.
Once you get to trails that are rated 7, 8 or 9, the carnage starts. Most of these are extremely tough trails that are great for technical rock crawling. You have to be an experienced driver with a modified rig to successfully tackle one of these. There are plenty of off-camber sections, steep inclines, and declines as well as ledges and steps exceeding 48 or even 60 inches. These trails are definitely for those who know what they’re doing and even then, roll-overs and vehicle body damage are likely.
Trails that earn a 10 rating can only be handled by buggies and street-driven 4x4s shouldn’t attempt them.
Off-roading Trail Etiquette
Now that you know the trail rating, you can go read the ones we’ve highlighted and decide which ones to include in your itinerary.
Before planning your off-roading trip, you need to know how to behave and interact with others on the trails.
Here are the Dixie 4 Wheel Drive top 10 rules of etiquette for off-roading:
- Pack it in, pack it out.
This means no littering including throwing out cigarette butts. We encourage off-roaders to pick up after themselves and even collect any trash they find out on the trails. By leaving the trails better than we found them, we can ensure they remain pristine for the next generation.
- Stay on designated trails.
Blazing new trails is strictly forbidden. Go over (rather than around) obstacles, through any mud or take bypasses where possible. Also, cross streams at designated crossing points. This helps to preserve the environment and minimizes our impact on it.
- Slow down.
When off-roading, slow and steady wins the day. Instead of speed, you’ll need steady and consistent throttling to crawl over obstacles. Slow speed also gives you ample time to respond to the trail conditions and keeps the dust to a minimum.
- Yield to vehicles heading uphill.
When you encounter other off-roaders, the one going downhill has to give way. Going uphill needs momentum and it’s difficult and dangerous to back down on a narrow, steep hill.
- Research your intended routes beforehand.
Know what types of routes you’re capable of handling then research well ahead of time. Get to know who owns the land the trail is found on as well as any rules, fees or permits required to drive there.
- Know your vehicle.
Off-road vehicles are extremely capable but sometimes drivers just aren’t familiar enough with their vehicles to know how to operate them. Familiarize yourself with your ride- know its strengths and weaknesses, its ground clearance, approach and departure angles, etc. Take it to an auto shop where the mechanics can check it out and ensure it’s trail-ready.
- Know when to yield the right of way.
You’ll share some of the trails with other users including motorbikes, horses, and hikers. When you meet them, be considerate, slow down, give them plenty of space and avoid unnecessary honking or kicking up dust.
- Give other off-roaders plenty of space.
Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you especially when you are navigating obstacles, climbing steep inclines or there’s low visibility. This way, you’ll be safely out of the way should the other vehicle lose traction or rollover.
- Keep track of the vehicle behind you.
If you’re in a group of vehicles, keep an eye on the one behind you. Vehicles tend to space out widely on the trail and you don’t want anyone to get lost.
- Never wheel alone.
Never hit the trails on your own. You never know what might happen –your vehicle might breakdown or you could run into some other kind of trouble and need help bailing you out.
We hope that you’ll check out as many of the local trails in Moab as possible and have the best off-roading experiences!
Moab Utahs Off Roading 4X4 Trail List
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When it comes to off-roading in Moab, there are some popular trails on everyone’s “Must Do” list. These vary in rating and challenges but they have become so popular over the years that avid off-roaders feel that they just have to try to test their rigs on the trails.
One such trail is the Poison Spider Mesa trail.
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Not all trails in Moab make it to the popular list. Some are less famous but just as exciting with enough challenges to keep any avid off-roader happy. During our Southern Utah trail rides, we try and include some of these trails so that people can experience them alongside the more popular ones.
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Although Moab is famous for its off-roading trails and culture, the area is also rich in history. Here at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, we love supporting both the culture and history of the area. That is why we try and vary our trail riding events to not only feature the popular trails in Moab but some little known ones that lead to interesting areas as well.
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At Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, we like nothing more than designing bespoke custom builds for our clients. A close second on our list of favorite things to do is getting out on the trail for some good, old off-roading.
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While this part of the southwest has lots of trails, some are more famous than others. These are the ones that have gained a reputation for being the toughest or most challenging trails. Avid off-roaders come from different parts of the country and even the world just for a chance to take on these trails.
One such trail is the Moab Rim. This has been one of the most popular trails in Moab for decades and is famous for being a gnarly Jeep trail.
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Among the most popular off-roading trails in Moab, are some iconic ones. These are the ones every avid off-roader wants to take on when they come to Moab. Some of these trails are known for specific obstacles while others are known for the trail surface. All of them are guaranteed to provide awesome off-roading.
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So much attention is often focused on extreme off-roading in Moab that you’d be forgiven for thinking that’s all we have to offer. Fortunately, some of the popular off-roading trails in Moab are geared towards people who want to go out for a scenic drive and combine that with some mild off-roading.
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Not all the popular trails in Moab are filled with thrilling obstacles and challenges. Some of the visitors who come to this corner of Utah are content to go on scenic drives, taking in the unique beauty of the red rock desert. Even avid off-roaders appreciate taking a break from rock crawling and adrenalin-inducing obstacles to just go on a relaxed ride once in a while.
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Moab is the home of some of the best off-roading trails in the country. Some of the most popular trails in Moab draw hundreds of visitors each year. These are people who want to sharpen their off-roading skills, want to pit their rigs against the toughest terrain they can find, or simply want to take a scenic drive with some moderate off-roading. Regardless of the reason for visiting, Moab welcomes all off-roaders.