ATV and Off-Roading
The areas surrounding Capitol Reef National Park are home to hundreds of miles of off road routes ranging from relaxing drives to nail biting adventures. Thousand Lake Mountain to the north, Boulder Mountain to the south and the Henry Mountains south of the town of Hanksville provide spectacular alpine scenery, cool summer temperatures and panoramic views of the surrounding lowland deserts. The roads and trails in these higher elevations are only accessible from late spring through autumn. Off road travel is NOT allowed inside Capitol Reef National Park itself. Capitol Reef ATV and off road trails are located in the adjacent areas surrounding the park. Our ATV tours in Capitol Reef will take you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Utah.
| Trail Name | Location | Difficulty | Trail Types |
| Angel Point Trail | Hanksville | Easy | ATV | Hiking | Jeep |
| Blue Benches | Hanksville | Moderate | ATV | Jeep | Biking |
| Burro Wash East | Notom | Moderate | ATV | Jeep |
| Donkey Reservoir | Teasdale | Hard | ATV | Jeep |
| Geyser Peak | Loa | Easy | ATV |
| Great Western Trail | Bicknell | Moderate | ATV | Horseback | Biking |
| Horseshoe Canyon | Hanksville | Easy | ATV | Hiking | Jeep |
| Lower Bowns / Oak Creek Trail | Torrey | Moderate | ATV | Jeep | Biking |
| Hanksville | Moderate | ATV | Jeep | |
| North Slope | Teasdale | Easy | ATV | Jeep |
| Planets to the Past | Hanksville | Easy | ATV | Jeep |
| Poison Spring | Hanksville | Extreme | ATV | Jeep |
| Robber’s Roost Trail | Hanksville | Easy | ATV | Jeep |
| Sam’s Mesa Trail | Hanksville | Moderate | ATV | Jeep |
| Swing Arm City | Caineville | Easy | ATV | Jeep |
| Thousand Views Trail | Bicknell | Moderate | ATV |
| Tidwell Slopes | Loa | Moderate | ATV | Jeep |
| Velvet Ridge / Hell’s Hole | Torrey | Moderate | ATV | Jeep | Biking |
Backroad Bonanza
Capitol Reef National Park’s most scenic areas including Cathedral Valley with its imposing towers and colorful hills and the Water Pocket Fold rich with geologic and historic sites are only accessible by off road vehicle. These roads are not for the faint of heart as they may become impassable when wet. They are also only accessible by high clearance vehicles.
Historical Hideouts and Havens
The red rock country of eastern Wayne County includes Horse Shoe Canyon, a remote section of Canyonlands National Park. The Robbers Roost area, hide out to the legendary Butch Cassidy and his “Wild Bunch” is peppered with historical sites and dissected by deep red rock canyons adjacent to the Dirty Devil River. The San Rafael Swell is a large rise in the Earth surrounded by a reef of jagged, contorted rock. Back country roads penetrating this reef provide access to abandoned mining operations and archeological sites.
Factory Butte
Factory Butte is located in Wayne County, Utah between the towns of Caineville and Hanksville, just north of State Road 24. The Bureau of Land Management has issued new motorized recreation rules for the Factory Butte Area. Swing Arm City is an open play area for OHV’s. Outside of Swing Arm City, there is approximately 200 miles of designated routes providing recreational opportunities for all skill levels.
Featured Trails
Contact Us Today
At Capitol Reef Country, we offer guided ATV tours and off-road adventures in Capitol Reef for all experience levels. Our experienced guides will take you through the most stunning landscapes in Utah while ensuring your safety and providing informative commentary on the area’s history and geology. Book your tour today to experience the thrill of ATV riding in Capitol Reef! Or if you prefer a self-guided adventure, we can provide maps and information on the best Capitol Reef ATV and Off-road trails to explore. Contact us now to plan your off-roading trip in Capitol Reef National Park and surrounding areas.
