Most ATV owners will tell you that the fall is the best time of year to ride.  The temperatures are near perfect, the fall colors are stunning and the wildlife is active.  There are so many places in Utah to ride that it’s impossible to cover them all, but here are some of our favorites.

Logan Canyon Trails

The Franklin Basin trail accessed from Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway, U.S. Hwy. 89, is a premier ATV trail for the wildflower and high alpine enthusiast. By linking northern Utah with the Southern Idaho Basin trail, travelers will experience challenging side canyons like Steep Canyon. A quick side trip to the Gibson Lakes nestled against the white quartz/limestone mountains will leave you breathless.  Then it’s on to the Danish Pass, which links to Egan Basin at the northeastern corner of Beaver Mountain Ski Resort. The trail provides access to Beaver Creek and the origins of the Logan River nestled in high-alpine firs, pines and aspens.

The Sinks ATV trail accessed from the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway, U.S. Hwy. 89, near the Bear Lake summit provides ATV riders an adventure in geology.  Entering the Middle Sinks, you’ll experience deep limestone sink holes created millennia ago. The trail lined with Douglas fir trees and groves of aspen links riders to the Little Bear Trail and then the Turkey Trail. This trail leads to Peters Sink, the most famous sink in Utah that is frequently cited as Utah’s coldest winter temperature location. Then return to U.S. Hwy. 89 via the Stump Hollow trail.

An ATV trip to Logan Canyon would not be complete without learning of the story of Old Ephraim, a giant grizzly bear that roamed the canyon from 1911-1922. He dined on grazing sheep and terrorized shepherds until he was killed. The trail to his grave is accessed from U.S. Hwy. 89 at the Right Hand Fork Canyon Road. Traveling along Right Hand Fork Trail to Ephraim’s Cutoff Trail will lead you through dense forests to the grave site where details of Ephraim’s exploits can be found.  Returning via the Steel Hollow Trail will complete a refreshing half-day ride to one of Northern Utah’s premier ATV trails.

Arapeen Trail in Sanpete County

This is a high mountain trail located in central Utah just off historic highway 89 with easy access from the towns of Fairview, Ephraim and Manti.  All of these towns are OHV friendly.  Please keep your speed at 15 mph when on city streets.

You could spend the better part of a week exploring the 750,000 acres of the Manti-La Sal National Forest.  With over 550 miles of trails that range from 6,000’ to 10,000’ in elevation, the Arapeen trail is wide enough to handle side-by-sides and is open to motorcycles.  Many say the autumn is the best time of year to ride.  The fall colors are spectacular.  It’s also the perfect time to spot the area’s wildlife.  We would recommend you get a free map of the area at http://utahatvtrails.org.  It’s full of helpful information i.e. difficulty of trails, over 40 fishing holes, waterfalls, hiking trails, scenic overlooks and geocaches!  The area truly has something for everyone.

For more information go to http://sanpete.com/pages/atv

Capitol Reef Country/Wayne County Utah

There are almost two dozen ATV trails in this area. Whether you are a beginner or a skilled rider there is a trail for everyone. A couple of the more popular trails are The Great Western Trail and The Velvet Ridge Trail.

The Great Western Trail is a continuous trail system that extends from Canada to Mexico and crosses through Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The trail is marked by the Great Western Trail symbol and has sections open to hikers, bikers, horseman, and Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs).

Hit the Great Western Trail on ATV for an Old West experience and an up close look at the incredibly scenic and rugged Capitol Reef backcountry once roamed by Indians, outlaws, and pioneers. The trail is moderate to difficult, with some sandy areas and rough, rocky terrain for the last three miles. On the trail you will experience scenery second to none and wildlife viewing is abundant. Take your time, slow down, and enjoy the amazing views.

There is so much to do along the Velvet Ridge Trail that rushing it could almost be impossible. This play area has no designated trails and it’s open for exploring. The rolling hills are an OHV’s playground. Hills range from beginner to intermediate. The views from the top of the Ridge are absolutely breathtaking.

The Velvet Ridge trail is a thrill-a-minute trail is moderately difficult, with opportunities for some extreme adventure during the last mile or so to Hell’s Hole.
The rough trail is mainly a colorful mix of ash gray bentonite-rich hills and loose red rock, with rugged sandstone cliffs and rock formations along the way.

After cresting a hill along the ridge you’ll cross a dry wash before heading into a long canyon lined with vertical sandstone cliffs. ATV’s may pick up some speed in the soft sand as they get ready for some steep inclines heading into Hell’s Hole, the final destination at 8,650 feet.   Before heading back take some time to explore on foot, and climb the craggy red and white sandstone formations.   There’s a view of Thousand Lakes Mountain at the north end of Hell’s Hole.

The Paiute Trail

Utah’s Trail Country is located in central Utah and includes over 2,500 miles of road and trail located on public lands managed by the Fishlake National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management.With nearly a million acres of public land within Trail Country, the Paiute, Gooseberry and Great Western trail  systems allow visitors to get on an ATV, UTV, motorcycle or mountain bike and ride through beautiful red rock canyons or aspen forests for as far as the eye can see.The Paiute Trail traverses three different mountain ranges climbing to points over 11,000 feet in elevation.  And, no matter what your skill level, the trail system has something for you to enjoy.For those interested in Native American history, the Fremont Indian State Park is sure to pique your interest with artifacts, petroglyphs and pictographs that date back hundreds, and sometimes thousands of years.   Spend time at the museum or better yet, hike through the park and see the amazing historical evidence left behind by the Fremont people.  Don’t forget to ask about the “alien” petroglyph on a rock wall just behind the museum.For the more adventurous at heart, be sure to stop by Big Rock Candy Mountain.  For those who need a break from their ride, you can run the river in a raft or kayak, enjoy rock climbing or take a ride on the zip line.  At least take some time to grab lunch or visit the old western town located just off the trail.  If fishing is your thing, be sure to spend some time on the Gooseberry trail wetting a hook at the numerous lakes that can be found along the way.   The catch of the day is Trout with numerous species including rainbow, brown and cutthroat on the menu.  The lakes that are more easily accessed are stocked by Utah’s Division of Wildlife while the more remote areas are home to native species of fish.No matter where you are in Trail Country, be sure to keep an eye open for the many species of wildlife that are prevalent in the area.  From the trophy elk herds that roam through the Fishlake National Forest to the ever increasing population of Bald Eagles that dot the sky, Trail Country is a wildlife wonderland.Finally, don’t forget the annual Rocky Mountain ATV/UTV Jamboree held each September in Richfield, Utah – a great way to get to meet new friends and enjoy central Utah’s trail systems!For additional information, just visit www.trailcountry.com or call 1-844-4MY-TRAIL (844-469-8724).  Utah’s Trail Country – Come Find Your Trail!

ATV Riding in Kanab

The Hog Canyon Trail is an ATV, OHV trail system and gateway to many beautiful, colorful, interesting and sometimes challenging rides.
ATV enthusiasts everywhere love the variety of Hog Canyon with trails rated easy to extreme. The trail provides access to popular rides including, John R. Flat, Upper Kanab Creek, Peek-a-Boo and Island in the Sky, just to name a few. Whether you ride a day or a week with so many miles of trail you won’t be able to see it all! The new bridge over Kanab Creek is a wonderful improvement, and can accommodate ATV’s up to 65 inches. This eliminates water crossings and provides easy access to Kanab.

Nearby Kanab is ATV friendly, and offers riders a chance to snack, dine or lodge and drive their ATV directly to and from the Hog Canyon Trail. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is just 20 minutes from Kanab.

ATV Riding in Duck Creek

Duck Creek Village on Hwy 14 offers hundreds of miles of trails for ATV and OHV riding. Riders love the cooler mountain temperatures in the summer months and the incredible views of fall foliage beginning in September.

Riders are able to lodge and dine in the charming mountain village of Duck Creek and go on incredible site seeing rides to places like Strawberry Point, Mammoth Caves and Trail #1 on the Markagaunt Plateau to Brian Head Resort.

Duck Creek Village offers unique ATV rides with views of lava fields, aspen groves and the mystical and ancient Bristlecone pine trees. Duck Creek Village is the perfect ATV mountain retreat for families and friends to go for an amazing, multi-day ATV adventure!

 Getting campgrounds and/or hotel rooms this time of year is much easier than in Spring and Summer.  Lifelong cherished memories can be made on a family outing to see Utah’s backcountry.  Even if you don’t own your own machines, most areas have private businesses that rent all sizes.  So get out there and enjoy your family and friends in the exquisite beauty that is Utah in Autumn!