If you’re looking for off-road destinations in the United States—you’ve come to the right place.
The US has some of the most spectacular and expansive wilderness areas in the world, and many are crisscrossed by world-class off-road trails. Winter is almost over, spring is almost upon us, and that means the summer season for off-roading is near.
So now’s the time to start making those plans to hit the trails in your Jeep 4×4 or OHV. Here’s our list of some of the best off-road trails in the United States.
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1. Ouray (Colorado)
First up is the quaint little Victorian mountain town of Ouray, nestled in the rugged San Juan Mountains of Colorado.
Once upon a time Ouray was a mining town, but now it is known as the “Jeep Capital of the World.” With over 40 off-road trails, it’s easy to see why.
2. Flagstaff (Arizona)
There are plenty of off-road destinations in the Coconino National Forest, which surrounds Flagstaff and the beautiful San Francisco Peaks.
This rugged part of Arizona is perfect for off-road vehicles. Check out the Cinder Hills OHV area, which winds through the ancient juniper and piñon forests and cinder cones north of Flagstaff. Or explore Lockett Meadow and the Inner Basin of the ancient San Francisco Peaks Volcano.
3. Rubicon Trail (California)
Rubicon Trail, near Pollock Pines, is a 22-mile stretch of off-road trails that you won’t forget anytime soon.
When it comes to off-road destinations, it doesn’t get any better than the Rubicon Trail. Falling rocks and trees ensure the trail is never the same from year to year.
Meanwhile, the 24th Jeep Jamboree Rubicon Trail 2021 (Aug. 12-15), comes with an extensive list of required upgrades to your Jeep Wrangler. This includes skid plates and 35-inch tires, costly updates to what Weeklymotor explains is already an expensive vehicle.
4. Red River (New Mexico)
Nestled in the Sangre de Cristos north of Taos, Red River is an old mining-town-turned-ski-town, and the adjacent wild country is perfect for 4×4 off-roading.
The trails around Red River will take you from mining caves to alpine lakes up near the tree line, well above 11,000 feet in elevation. And don’t forget to try out the challenging Goose Lake Road—topping out at 11,712 feet, it’s one of the highest in New Mexico.
5. Redneck Mud Park (Florida)
Located near Punta Gorda, this unique collection of four “mud holes” is the perfect destination for some muddy off-road wheels in the Sunshine State.
The Redneck Mud Park is great for Jeep, ATVs, OHVs, and 4x4s of all stripes. So come on down and get ready to have some fun in the mud!
6. Logandale Trail Systems (Nevada)
Las Vegas isn’t just about glitzy shows, high-stakes poker, and quickie marriages.
It also has some of the most impressive off-road trails in the western United States. Head out into the desert sands and slickrock canyons for some serious off-road fun. Check out the Logandale Loop to explore trails over the red rocks, but watch out for sudden flash flooding in the canyons during the region’s summer monsoon season.
7. Morrison Jeep Trail (Wyoming)
Wyoming is full of incredible natural beauty and scenic splendor.
It also has some of the most incredible off-road destinations in the country. This includes the spectacular Morrison Jeep Trail, located in the wild North Absarokas of Park County, Wyoming.
It’s one of the most dangerous roads in the United States, featuring 22 miles of backcountry off-roading, with one lane most of the way and numerous steep and rocky patches. Don’t expect your vehicle to come through unscathed—and bring plenty of emergency equipment.
8. Lake Como Road (Colorado)
Lake Como Road is perhaps the roughest road in Colorado—and that’s a state that has no dearth of rough roads.
Located northeast of Alamosa, this rugged trail climbs out of the high-desert San Luis Valley up along the steep western flank of the Blanca Massif, which features the 14,345-foot Blanca Peak—fourth highest in the state.
Lake Como Road offers four, boulder-strewn obstacles known colorfully as “Jaws 1-4,” and you better believe your off-road vehicle will need some serious modifications to tackle this king of Colorado’s off-road trails.
9. Moab (Utah)
Moab is great for all kinds of backcountry hiking and exploration.
But it’s also the perfect destination for off-roading. With its famous red rocks, rugged canyons, and treacherous slickrock, the backcountry around Moab, Utah, has pretty much got it all for serious off-roaders.
10. Black Bear Pass Road (Colorado)
Okay, now we’re getting serious.
This infamous stretch of off-road trail starts from the summit of Red Mountain Pass, on Highway 550 (the Million Dollar Highway) between Ouray and Silverton. It winds up into the beautiful San Juan Mountains and tops out at the nearly 13,000-foot Black Bear Pass. Then it’s a long way down to Telluride, via some of the most treacherous switchbacks in the country.
This is where all your off-roading skills will be put to the test. Just remember, this trail can chew up even the ruggedest Jeep Wranglers, so be careful.
11. Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Idaho)
Finally, if you’re looking for some of the most spectacular off-roading country in the United States, you’ll want to try out the off-road trails in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest.
Nestled among the glacier-carved Sawtooth Mountains, these trails feature impressive switchbacks and steep roads. There are plenty of places to explore, so pack up your kit and make the most of the off-road trails in this beautiful part of the country.
Hit the Best Off-Road Trails in the Country
As you can see, there are plenty of spectacular, challenging off-road trails to explore in the United States. All it takes is the right vehicle and equipment, and a healthy dose of adventure and determination. For those embarking on these thrilling off-road adventures and seeking to protect the underbelly of their off-road vehicles during these challenging terrains, considering a Toyota Tacoma catalytic guard could be a wise investment, ensuring the durability and longevity of their vehicles.
We hope this article will help you come up with great ideas for off-road adventures. And while you’re here, please check out some of our other helpful and informative posts.