Plan Your Spring ATV/UTV Adventure At These Top-Tier Destinations
The birds are chirping, the buds are budding, and spring is finally here. You're dusting the cobwebs off your ATV or UTV getting ready to go on a ride, but lurking in the back of your mind is a roadblock, one that's a possibility in some locations and inevitable in others: Mud season. So with the local trails closed until it's safe to ride machines through fragile ecosystems, you can still turn your trip-planning attention to a slew of places in the south and west (and some in the southwest) that offer excellent riding when the northern trails are closed.
Imperial Sand Dunes (Glamis) – California
Glamis is a massive, wide-open dune system stretching for miles along the California–Arizona border.
Why it’s appealing: Glamis has no closures and effectively no limits. It’s a social, high-energy destination where UTVs can really stretch their legs at speed, especially in spring before the heat ramps up. Go for the dunes, stay for the drag racing.
Little Sahara Recreation Area, Utah
Little Sahara is essentially a huge dune field. It's a mix of open sand and connected trail riding.
Why it’s appealing: Little Sahara has more variety than most dune areas since it actually has trails in addition to just enormous expanses of open sand. It's great for beginners and experienced riders alike, with iconic climbs like the 700-foot tall Sand Mountain and tons of room to explore.
Arizona Desert Riding (Quartzsite / Havasu / Phoenix outskirts)
Arizona brings a lot to the table, including vast public Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land with minimal restrictions and endless trail options.
Why it’s appealing: Arizona's trails bring a ton of freedom to the riding community. You can ride for hours without seeing the same trail twice. Spring brings perfect weather and a mix of terrain from fast desert runs to rocky technical sections, allowing you to experience the region before the blisteringly hot summer temperatures can squash the fun.
Hatfield–McCoy Trails, West Virginia
Known far and wide for the duelling families for which it gets its namesake, Hatfield-McCoy is one of the largest managed trail systems in the U.S.. There's well over 1,000 miles of interconnected routes to explore, and the trails never stop changing.
Why it’s appealing: The Hatfield–McCoy trail system consists of well-marked trails that stay open year-round. Spring adds mud and challenge without shutting things down.
Brimstone Recreation & Ride Royal Blue, Tennessee
Tennessee has a lot of riding hiding in its depths. Large Appalachian trail networks with a mix of public and privately managed land mean you can pick and choose from a ton of spots to bring your ATV or UTV (or rent one) and have a great time in the spring.
Why it’s appealing: Warmer weather in the south means earlier riding, and the terrain strikes a great balance between scenic cruising and more technical climbs.
Windrock Park, Tennessee
Windrock has become drastically more popular over the last few years, reflecting well on the massive (and privately managed) off-road park's hundreds of miles of trails.
Why it’s appealing: Windrock stays open when others close. It offers everything from easy scenic routes to serious rock crawling and mud. You can be cruising along at a leisurely pace one minute and be on a high-difficulty climb the next.
Paiute Trail (Lower Elevations), Utah
The Paiute Trail is a massive trail system through central Utah’s mountains and valleys.
Why it’s appealing: Because the trails go through lower elevations, it means these sections can open earlier, in turn giving you a head start on mountain riding. There's also a nice mix of forest, dirt roads, and small towns to pass through along the way.
Moab Area Trails, Utah
Moab is off-road mecca. It's a world-famous off-road destination known for its slickrock, desert terrain, and technical trails.
Why it’s appealing: Moab in the spring is peak season; there's a reason they run the Moab Easter Jeep Safari there early every spring. You get perfect temperatures and unmatched scenery, and the choices for trails range from mild to wild. The region ideal for riders who want something more technical and visually unique than typical trail systems or woods riding.
What do you guys think? What are some of your favorite Spring ATV/UTV adventure destinations?
Ross hosts The Hooniverse Podcast. He has been in the off-road world since he was a kid riding in the back of his dad’s YJ Wrangler. He works in marketing by day and in his free time contributes to Hooniverse, AutoGuide, and ATV.com, and in the past has contributed to UTV Driver, ATV Rider, and Everyday Driver. Ross drives a 2018 Lexus GX460 that is an ongoing build project featured on multiple websites and the podcast.
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