SAFARI TRAILS

Bridger
Jack

#1

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 65 Min
Trail Mileage: 38
Meeting Location: Monticello
Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

The Bridger Jack Trail starts just off of Highway 211 near the Dugout Ranch in Indian Creek. This trail travels through the red rock country and gives you spectacular scenic views of North Cottonwood, Lavender Canyon, Salt Creek, Stevens Canyon, and the Six Shooters. There are also archaeological sites along this trail. On your way to the trailhead you will pass Newspaper Rock. Newspaper Rock is a petroglyph panel etched in sandstone that records perhaps 2,000 years of human activity in the area. This is a must see attraction after your ride and on your way back to Monticello. UTV Accessible Trail 

Shay Ridge
Monticello

#2

50" Limit

Time To Trailhead: 20 Min.
Trail Mileage: 44
Meeting Location: Monticello
Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

 

This trail will leave Monticello at an elevation of about 7000 feet and passes though gamble oak, aspen, and alpine forests. The trail travels past Monticello and Foy lakes to an elevation of about 11000 feet. Breath taking views of the canyons and lowlands will be experienced throughout the trip. This trail is on lands managed by the National Forest Service. This trip will be an all day ride. This trail is not UTV accessible over 50 inches 

Hook
& Ladder

#3

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 55 Min
Trail Mileage: 40
Meeting Location: Monticello
Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

 

 

The Hook & Ladder trail is a maze of trails with unprecedented views of the La Sal Mountains, and a view through the backside of Wilson Arch. Indescribable views of red rock fins, canyons, and overlooks will greet the visitor. Assistance with difficult terrain will be provided as needed. The trail traverses lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. UTV Accessible Trail 

Falls
Missile

#4

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 80 Min
Trail Mileage: 20
Meeting Location: Monticello
Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

 

 

Falls Missile Trail received its name because of the falls on lower Indian Creek, and a spent booster rocket that was launched from Green River, Utah and crashed to the earth not far from the falls. The trail travels past the old booster rocket and traverses slick rock, sandy terrain, and several stream crossings. The trail is adjacent to Canyonlands National Park on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. UTV Accessible Trail 

Bulldog
Monticello

#5

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 20 Min
Trail Mileage: 31
Meeting Location: Monticello
 Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

 

 

The Monticello Bulldog Trail starts just west of Monticello, Utah. The trail runs from an elevation of about 7000 feet to 8500 feet. The trail traverses through several vegetative types including sagebrush, pinion and juniper woodlands, gamble oak and alpine forests. This trail is on lands that cross private, Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands. This trail will be a good family ride. It will begin and end in Monticello. UTV Accessible Trail, this trail has some tight spots for UTV's. 

Bulldog
Blanding

#6

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 0 Min
Trail Mileage: 50
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

 

 

The Blanding Bulldog trail starts just north of Blanding. The trail runs from an elevation of about 6000 feet to 8500 feet. The trail traverses through several vegetative types including sagebrush, pinion and juniper woodlands, gamble oak and alpine forests. This trail will take you past Recapture Reservoir, archaeological ruins, and it will give you great scenic views of the Abajo Mountains. This trail would be a good family ride. UTV Accessible Trail, this trail has some tight spots for UTV's. 

Shay Ridge
Blanding

#7

50" Limit

Time To Trailhead: 0 Min
Trail Mileage: 50
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

 

 

The trail travels from the Blanding area north to summit of of the Abajo mountains and on to Shay Ridge. The trail travels though gamble oak, aspen and alpine forests, to an elevation of about 11000 feet. Breath taking views will be experienced throughout the trip. This trail is on lands managed by the National Forest Service. This trip will be an all day ride. This trail is not UTV accessible over 50 inches 

Behind
The Rocks

#8

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 70 Min
Trail Mileage: 39
Meeting Location: Monticello
Departure Time: 8:00am
Difficult
MAP

 

 

The La Sal Mountains provide a scenic alpine contrast along with gorgeous red rock formations and overlooks along this trail. This trail will provide you with great overlook views of Kane Creek. You will travel over a diverse terrain, and visit Picture Frame, Balcony, and Pritchett Arches. Caution should be used on several of the terrain features along this trail. The surrounding land is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. UTV Accessible Trail 

Arch
Canyon

#9

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 20 Min
Trail Mileage: 32
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

This trail is located just west of Blanding, Utah. The Arch Canyon Trail is amazing with scenic views, archaeological sites, and Cathedral Arch. This trail will take you from South Cottonwood Canyon up and over Comb Ridge. You will travel down the old highway Dugway that will provide you with a spectacular view of Comb Wash, Little Baullie Mesa, and more. After descending Comb Ridge it is on up Arch Canyon where you will have several stream crossings and numerous archaeological sites to view. This trail is sponsored by Hondaland in honor of the late Ron Toomey and his contributions to the Safari. 

River
House Ruin

#10

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 40 Min
Trail Mileage: 15
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time: 8:00am
Easy
MAP

 

 

This trail was part of the Hole in The Rock Trail. Along this ride you will see the remains of the historic Barton Trading Post, San Juan Hill, Navajo Spring, Native Rock Art, and the magnificent River House Ruin. Riding up San Juan Hill is prohibited. This trail is on Bureau of Land Management lands. Sign up for this ride and you will meet at the old Bluff Fort which is a must see location in San Juan County. UTV Accessible Trail 

Piute
Pass

#11

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 60 Min
Trail Mileage: 46
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time: 8:00am
Difficult
MAP

 

Staging area is located near Gravel Crossing in White Canyon. This trail travels up Wingate Mesa on an old mining dugway to "The Pass" and drops down into rugged Piute Canyon. You will pass several rock formations, including Balancing Rock and "Hoodoos". This trail presents some of the most scenic vistas in the county including White Canyon, the Henry Mountains, Rainbow Canyon, Lake Powell, and Good Hope Bay.  The trail is surrounded by lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. UTV Accessible Trail 

Jacobs
Chair

#12

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 60 Min
Trail Mileage: 28
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

 

 

The trip originates in White Canyon across Highway 95 from the Piute Pass Trail. The Staging area is at Gravel Crossing. This ride will make a scenic loop around Jacobs Chair, a prominent geologic feature of the Windgate Sandstone in Western San Juan County. The trail is surrounded by lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Trailer required. UTV Accessible Trail

Wooden
Shoe

#13

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 45 Min
Trail Mileage: 49
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time: 8:00am
Easy
MAP


 

This trail will take you by Natural Bridges National Monument, onto Deer Flat, and around the shoe and the heel of Woodenshoe. This trail has many majestic views of red rock canyons, Cedar Mesa, the Bears Ears, and the Henry Mountains. You will travel through gamble oak, Juniper, and pinion pine environments. There are many historical features along this trail, including old mines, cowboy corrals, and developed springs. UTV Accessible Trail

North
Long Point

#14

50" Limit

Time To Trailhead: 30 Min
Trail Mileage: 76
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

 

 

This ride offers some outstanding scenery that includes the Abajo Mountains, South Cottonwood Canyon, Dark Canyon, Beef Basin, Round Mountain, Seven Sisters, and much more. Extra fuel is advised due to length of trail. Half of this trail is on graded county roads, and the other half is on two track 4x4 roads and ATV trails. This trail is on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Trailer required. 50"'s or less, not a UTV Accessible Trail 

Table
Of The Sun

#15

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 45 Min
Trail Mileage: 23
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time: 8:00am
Easy
MAP

 

 

 

This trail is highly scenic with views of Monument Valley, Cedar Mesa, Fry Canyon, and Red Canyon. You will also enjoy seeing several archaeological sites, and an Indian Rock Art panel. The trail system is made up of a number of both improved and unimproved county roads. UTV Accessible Trail 

John's
Canyon

#16

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 45 Min
Trail Mileage: 30
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time: 8:00am
Easy
MAP

 

 

The trail begins near Gooseneck State Park and travels along a bench overlooking the San Juan River. This trail not only traverses along the bench overlooking the San Juan River, but you will also travel below Muley Point some 920 ft above you and then up into historic John's Canyon. This ride has great scenic views, petroglyphs and archaeological site. UTV Accessible Trail

Elk
Ridge

#17

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead: 30 Min
Trail Mileage: 63
Meeting Location: Blanding
Departure Time: 8:00am
Easy
MAP

This trail travels from South Cottonwood Canyon, through Whiskers Draw, to Elk Ridge. On Elk Ridge you will travel across the spectacular North Notch which separates Dark Canyon and North Notch Canyon. Once you’re through the notch you may visit North Notch Spring before tying into the ATV trail that will take you off North Elk and back to South Cottonwood. This section of the trail is steep and travels through a large stand of Ponderosa Pine which is magnificent. This trail takes you from the desert to the high country and back to the desert. This is a longer ride, but packed with scenic views, archaeological sites, and historical mining sites. UTV Accessible Trail 

Upper La Sal

Canopy Gap

#18

50" Limit

Time To Trailhead: 50 Min
Trail Mileage: 24
Meeting Location: Monticello
Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP


 

This trail starts at Canopy Gap and travels north up several canyons to the base of Mount Mellenthin, one of the highest peaks in Utah. You will be traveling through aspens and pines and might see a bear! If you like mountains, this ride is for you. Great vistas of Paradox Valley and surrounding areas are abundant. The trail gets a bit rocky at times. This trail is on SITLA land. The trail is not UTV accessible over 50 inches 

Lower La Sal
Hidden Mesa

#19

50" Limit

Time To Trailhead: 50 Min
Trail Mileage: 24
Meeting Location: Monticello
Departure Time: 8:00am
Moderate
MAP

 

 

This trail travels south of Canopy Gap following Tw0-Mile and Hop Creeks to Hidden Mesa. The trail takes a detour to the top of Hidden Mesa to a scenic overlook. The trail continues north back to Canopy Gap. the trail goes through aspens, pines and Junipers as it travels through several types of terrain. Aid will given on the difficult sections of the trail as needed. This is a great ride on the National Forest and BLM lands. This trail is not UTV accessible over 50 inches 

Night
Ride

n/a

UTV Friendly

Time To Trailhead:

Mileage Monticello: < 28
Mileage Blanding: < 20
Meeting Location: Monticello OR Blanding Visitor Centers

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This a social affair! Leaving after registration from the Visitors Centers in both Blanding and Monticello, riders will ride to a central meeting spot for a chance to make friends and enjoy a bite to eat. This ride is only scheduled for Wednesday night!!

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