Top 5 Utah Overland Trails for Beginners.
Utah is a playground for overlanders, with everything from slickrock to alpine passes. But if you’re just starting out, not every trail is the right first step. The Utah Overland Community (UOC) put together this guide to help beginners find trails that are fun, scenic, and doable without a monster rig or years of experience. Here are 5 beginner-friendly Utah overland trails that will help you cut your teeth.
1. Five Mile Pass (Eagle Mountain, UT)
A quick drive from Salt Lake City, Five Mile Pass is perfect for shaking down your rig. You’ll find a mix of dirt roads, mild climbs, and open desert terrain. Great for testing recovery gear and camping setups without getting too far from civilization.
Pro Tip: Air down your tires and bring recovery boards — sand patches can surprise you here.
2. Skyline Drive (Sanpete County)
Running along the Wasatch Plateau, Skyline Drive offers long stretches of dirt roads with panoramic views. In the summer it’s mellow, but snow can linger into July. Ideal for a weekend overland trip with camping spots all along the ridge.
Pro Tip: Check road conditions before you go — sections can be closed until late summer.
3. Temple Mountain Road to Goblin Valley
Southern Utah’s red rock country is unbeatable. This trail gives you a taste of desert overlanding while keeping the difficulty low. Wide roads, incredible views, and the reward of camping near Goblin Valley State Park.
Pro Tip: Bring extra water and fuel — resources are scarce out here.
4. North Skyline Trail (Ogden Canyon)
Don’t confuse this with the Sanpete Skyline Drive — this one runs north near Ogden. It’s a mix of forest service roads with moderate climbs, but nothing overwhelming. You’ll get mountain scenery, cooler temps in summer, and easy access back to town.
Pro Tip: Afternoon thunderstorms roll in quick. Pack a tarp or awning.
5. Pony Express Trail (Tooele County)
Step into history while getting a solid intro to long-haul dirt road overlanding. The Pony Express route stretches across western Utah with wide desert roads, historic stations, and tons of camping opportunities.
Pro Tip: It’s remote — cell service is minimal. A GMRS radio or InReach device is highly recommended.
Group Rides
These trails are the perfect launchpad into Utah overlanding. They’ll test your rig, teach you the basics, and show you why Utah is one of the best places in the world to explore off-road. At UOC, we’re not just writing about these trails — we run them all the time as group rides. It’s the best way to gain confidence, learn from experienced overlanders, and have a blast with like-minded people.
Want in on the next group ride? Join the Utah Overland Community (UOC) and get access to our private server. That’s where we organize group runs, share real-time trail reports, swap gear advice, and plan the next adventure. Don’t just read about overlanding in Utah — come roll with us.
