Utah has long been home to some of the most iconic off-road destinations in North America, from the Paiute Trail to the red rock backcountry surrounding Moab. Now, state and federal agencies are working together on a project that could create one of the longest and most diverse motorized recreation routes in the western United States: the proposed High Desert Trail.
The High Desert Trail (HDT) is envisioned as a border-to-border motorized route stretching across western Utah. The proposed trail would utilize existing roads and trails to connect more than 600 miles of riding opportunities across seven counties, including Box Elder, Tooele, Juab, Millard, Beaver, Iron, and Washington counties. Current planning documents indicate the overall system could encompass approximately 810 miles of designated OHV routes when connectors and supporting infrastructure are included.
A Vision More Than Two Decades in the Making
The idea behind the High Desert Trail is not new. According to project information released by Utah agencies, the concept dates back more than 20 years and has been discussed in various forms since the early 2000s. Momentum has increased in recent years as counties across western Utah partnered with the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), local governments, and recreation groups to move the project toward formal designation.
One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is that no new trails are expected to be constructed. Instead, the project would formally designate and connect existing public roads and motorized routes into a unified long-distance trail system. The goal is to improve navigation, management, maintenance, and visitor services while reducing the need for users to rely on unofficial routes.
Utah’s Proposed High Desert Trail
Connecting Utah’s Diverse Landscapes
If approved, the High Desert Trail would offer riders an incredible variety of terrain. The route would traverse western Utah’s high deserts, mountain ranges, red rock canyons, sagebrush valleys, and alpine forests, creating a multi-day adventure unlike anything currently available in the state.
Project planners describe the HDT as an outdoor recreation corridor designed to connect scenic landscapes and rural communities while providing opportunities for OHV riders, adventure motorcyclists, overlanders, equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers in appropriate segments.
For UTV enthusiasts, the route could eventually become a bucket-list destination similar in scope and appeal to Utah’s famous Paiute Trail system, which currently offers thousands of miles of interconnected riding opportunities across central Utah.
Benefits for Rural Communities
A major driver behind the project is economic development. By creating a clearly identified long-distance route, supporters believe the High Desert Trail could bring increased tourism spending to many smaller communities that currently see less recreation traffic than destinations such as Moab and Sand Hollow.
The proposal includes plans for improved trailheads, staging areas, signage, kiosks, and wayfinding systems that would help visitors navigate the route and encourage stops in nearby towns for fuel, lodging, dining, and supplies.
Because much of the route crosses western Utah’s lower-elevation desert regions, many sections could be accessible during spring, fall, and even winter months, helping spread recreation use throughout the year rather than concentrating it into peak summer seasons.
Environmental Review Underway
The project is currently undergoing federal environmental review through the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM and Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation have released a Draft Environmental Assessment and opened a public comment period as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.
Project leaders state that the formal designation process is intended to improve recreation management while helping protect sensitive natural and cultural resources. By focusing use on existing routes and providing better information to visitors, planners hope to balance recreation access with responsible land stewardship.
Public Comment Period Underway
As the High Desert Trail proposal moves through the environmental review process, recreation advocates are encouraging the off-road community to participate in the public comment period. The BlueRibbon Coalition has voiced strong support for the project, noting that the proposed route would formally designate approximately 810 miles of existing public roads and trails while creating one of the most significant long-distance motorized recreation opportunities in the West.
According to BlueRibbon Coalition, the preferred Alternative B would help preserve and enhance motorized recreation access across western Utah while improving route connectivity for OHV users, overlanders, and adventure motorcyclists. The organization also points to the potential economic benefits for rural communities that would see increased visitation from recreation travelers exploring the trail system.
BlueRibbon Coalition is encouraging OHV enthusiasts, local businesses, and public land users to submit comments supporting the project during the BLM review process. Supporters believe the High Desert Trail represents a unique opportunity to secure long-term access to existing routes while creating a premier destination that showcases the diverse landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities found throughout western Utah.
Take Action: Utah High Desert Trail Project: 810 Miles for OHV Access
What It Means for the OHV Community
For Utah’s off-road community, the High Desert Trail represents an opportunity to create another world-class riding destination built around existing access rather than new trail construction. The project could simplify route planning, improve signage and safety, and provide a framework for future investments in maintenance and visitor infrastructure.
Long-distance trail systems have proven successful in Utah, with routes such as the Paiute Trail generating significant tourism and economic benefits for local communities while providing riders with an organized and well-managed experience. Supporters of the High Desert Trail believe the project could deliver similar benefits across western Utah while showcasing some of the state’s most remote and spectacular landscapes.
Final Thoughts
The proposed High Desert Trail has the potential to become one of the most ambitious motorized recreation projects ever developed in Utah. By connecting hundreds of miles of existing roads and trails into a single, well-managed corridor, the project could create a true border-to-border OHV adventure while supporting rural economies and improving the overall recreation experience.
For the OHV community, the project represents more than just another trail system. It is an opportunity to secure and enhance access to public lands while creating a destination that could rival some of the most celebrated motorized trail networks in the country. With public comments now being accepted, riders, enthusiasts, and local businesses have a chance to help shape the future of what could become Utah’s next great off-road adventure.
Whether you’re interested in multi-day UTV expeditions, adventure motorcycle travel, overlanding, or simply exploring some of Utah’s most remote landscapes, the High Desert Trail has the potential to become a landmark recreation destination for generations to come.
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