As we’ve mentioned before, the area around St. George has plenty of off-roading trails waiting to be explored. These range from challenging terrain full of obstacles, suitable for experienced off-roaders to scenic trails that are perfect for a relaxing drive with friends and family.

While organizing the Dixie 4 Wheel Drive southern Utah trail rides, we make an effort to explore all sorts of trails so we can see what the area has to offer and also show these to other off-roaders. Our trail runs in the St. George area are always fun and educational as we get to learn more about the history of this area.

The Gold Strike Mine trail is one such trail that combines magnificent scenery with history.

Gold Strike Mine

The drive to Gold Strike Mine more than delivers in scenery. The route transverses the wide-open desert and passes through a scenic canyon before coming out on the sprawling mining district. The mine is at a high elevation of 5000ft so you’ll enjoy as the scenery changes from desert vegetation to pinyon forest.

Along the way you can glimpse fantastic views of the Pine Valley Mountains, the Red Mountains as well as the Bull Mountains. There are also plenty of interesting rock formations known as hoodoos that are sure to catch your eye. You can even take a side trip to check out Lone Pine Arch nearby if you have time.

For most of the trail, the road is well-maintained gravel with some steep switchbacks that make the route more fun. There’s a sandy patch near Lone Pine Arch as well as some narrow sections which will demand your attention.

At the mine itself, you can choose to explore several of the sites. Gold Strike Mine was first explored in the late 1800s and production of gold and silver peaked in 1910 before falling off. There was renewed interest and work in the mine from the 1970s to the 1990s before the mine was closed. Lately though, in 2018, there’s been renewed interest in exploring and developing the mine, largely due to the high gold prices.

While the mine is well known, it’s still a good idea to download a Southern Utah trail map from our online store. The map can be uploaded to any GPS tracking device to help ensure you always know where you are and where you’re going.

Is Your Rig Trail-Ready?

Before a trip into the desert, it’s advisable to carry enough food, water, and sunscreen. You should also make sure your ride is in top shape to handle the terrain. To get it trail-ready, bring it to our auto shop in St. George, choose one of our 4X4 Vehicle Build Packages and our 4WD experts will take a look at it.

While there don’t hesitate to ask for tips about the best trails to explore around St. George. We’re always glad to help.