The West Desert’s newest 100,000 acre wilderness area designated in 2006, the Cedar Mountains Wilderness is a great place to experience the beauty and solitude of a Great Basin Desert mountain range. It is located less than half an hour from the burgeoning urban areas of the Tooele valley and only one hour west of Salt Lake City. From these mountains, you can see spectacular views of the desolate Great Salt Lake Desert, Skull Valley, and the Stansbury Mountain Range. A portion of the California National Historic Trail traverses the northern portion of the wilderness. And if you are especially lucky, you will see the wild horses that roam the area. Water is scarce, so plan ahead.

 

Caution! Only adventurous travelers should follow this historic route of the first transcontinental railroad. The 90-mile route winds through remnants of railroad camps, towns, and trestles. There are interpretive signs at points of interest, as well as the visitor center and museum at Golden Spike National Historic Site. You should carry plenty of water and be prepared for rough roads in a remote setting. Spare tires are a must.

 

Bring your OHV, ATV, motorcycle, mountain bike for some fun recreating within one hour of Salt Lake City. Fivemile Pass is a popular OHV play area where many people also come to camp out, especially on holiday weekends. There is a large parking area for day users and many dirt roads for exploring, camping, etc. Located directly off Highway 73 southeast of Lehi, UT, it’s easy to find. There are important raptor (ferruginous hawk) nesting sites here so please pay attention to the information posted on the bulletin boards in the area. Plans are in the works to install facilities here (including bathroom and water), but until then, come prepared.

 

Right across from Horseshoe Springs, this area is popular for dispersed desert camping and OHV/ATV riding. Target shooters like to come out here too, so be careful when you are riding around.   

A short walk along a boardwalk brings you to a small spring-fed warm-water pond in a riparian wetland surrounded by salt meadow and alkaline salt/mud flat area. This is one of the few water sources in Skull Valley in the West Desert of northern Utah and was an important stop for pioneers traveling along the Hastings Cutoff route of the California National Historic Trail. This is a good area to view waterfowl, shorebirds and a large variety of wildlife. You can even fish in the pond for carp and large-mouth bass.

 

Nearly 36,000 acres of sand dunes, hills, and mud flats located in the Great Salt Lake Desert make a perfect OHV play area, and Knolls is less than two hours away from Salt Lake City. Tons of off-road fun is waiting, but stay within the boundaries – the Knolls OHV area does border a bombing range. Toilet facilities are available but there is no water. There is also an entrance fee.

 

Located just south of Laketown, Utah in Rich County, this is a beautiful place to visit, especially during the summer. At 6,000 – 8,000 feet elevation and with a small stream running through part of it, the canyon stays cool. This is also a good place to watch wildlife. A road goes into the canyon from the north and the south, but 2 miles of the lower canyon are open to foot- or equestrian-traffic only. 

 

Relive a dramatic part of the West’s history as you travel the same trail that Pony Express Riders covered over 150 years ago. You can stop at the old stations and interpretive sites along this Backcountry Byway where riders would change to fresh horses as they completed their 1,800 mile mail run. You can extend your visit to the past with a night’s stay at the campground and reconstructed station house at Simpson Springs. West of Simpson Springs Campground, you may see wild horses roaming along the byway. Wild horses are naturally wary and it is unlawful to chase or catch them, so please view them from a distance with binoculars. The entire 130 mile route from Fairfield to Ibapah will take you over both paved and regularly-maintained gravel roads. Services are not available, so bring plenty of water, supplies, fuel, and a spare tire. 

 

Located on the north end of the Great Salt Lake, this area attracts a wide variety of shorebirds and waterfowl. Follow the Central Pacific Railroad Grade Backcountry Byway west from Golden Spike National Historic Site. This is a very remote location, so make sure you have a spare tire and plenty of water. Please stay on signed roads and enjoy the bird watching!

 

Go for a drive on your ATV, OHV or mountain bike on this road and trail system in the beautiful Rich and Cache Counties in northeastern Utah. Rides range from easy to extreme. Pick up a map from the USFS, BLM or Utah State Division of Parks and Recreation. And please remember to wear your helmet and safety gear and to “Tread Lightly”. 

 

Visitors looking for a good dose of solitude can try the Silver Island Backcountry Byway. While touring or camping along this extremely arid range of rugged mountains, you will get a bird's eye view of the Bonneville Salt Flats, see the shoreline carved by ancient Lake Bonneville, and pass through the same area traversed by hearty pioneers on the California Trail. Be sure to bring plenty of extra water, sunscreen, and spare tires. All vehicles must stay on existing roads. Caution: Do not attempt to drive out onto the mud flats.

 

Come hike or bike along the Provo lake level of ancient Lake Bonneville. This high desert trail offers 9.8 miles of challenging mountain biking and hiking with beautiful views and unique geology. It is a challenging ride—designed for moderate to advanced riders— and is for non-motorized and mechanized users only. Remember to bring plenty of water, first aid and wear your bike helmet.

 

Come to the Wild Horse and Burro Center for an up-close look at a wild horse! When the wild horse herds exceed the food resources in the wild, the BLM gathers some of the animals and brings them to holding facilities, such as this one. Here they are cared for and offered to the general public for adoption. The center is open on weekdays only.

 

The Deep Creek Mountains, over 12,000 feet high, are a spectacular West Desert range that is both scenic and geologically unique. Due to their isolation they support a wide variety of plants and animals. The Deeps have a number of rugged and remote canyons. Take Interstate 80 and then go south on Utah Highway 93. Turn southeast off Highway 93 toward the town of Callao and continue south along the eastern side of the range. Dirt roads branch west into Granite Creek, Trout Creek, and Birch Creek canyons. A hike up any of these canyons or up Basin Creek is rewarding.