Wanderlust World Wanderlust World St. George, Utah is an ideal spot for all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts because it's surrounded by miles of spectacular canyon country and four state parks. ATVs are not allowed in the nearby national parks, on lakeshores or wilderness areas, but there are miles of trails in the area and vehicles are permitted in some state parks and in designated areas of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management public lands around St. George. Agency maps can be obtained at local offices.
East Fork Trail System starts at Tropic Reservoir and runs through Dixie National Forest, but some trails may be closed due to logging. John R. Flat Trail, near Kanab, crosses Kanab Creek several times; it's difficult and very sandy. Elephant Butte Trail is sandy but easy to drive and gives great views of Zion National Park. The Barracks Trail branches off Elephant Butte and has spectacular views, with an overlook of the Virgin River. Poison Creek Trail in the Escalante area runs through beautiful canyon country. Kodachrome Basin State Park has miles of trails and open country around its perimeter. The park, just north of Lake Powell, contains colorful hoodoos, spires and chimney formations.
Kolob Mountain Trail runs through juniper and aspen forests with spectacular views west into Nevada's Great Basin and east to Zion National Park. Smithsonian Butte-Grafton Mesa Trail is rocky and traverses hillsides of junipers to the mesa top. Enjoy views of Pastry Ridge and its eroded cliffs resembling pie crust and then continue on to the ghost town of Grafton. The Pine Valley Mountains have a network of 150 miles of trails through and around their wilderness areas. Check with the U.S. Forest Service for specific regions open to ATVs. Sand Hollow State Park has sand dunes for riding ATVs.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park welcomes ATVers to drive its miles of pink sand dunes. Hole-in-the- Rock Trail is difficult and only experienced drivers should attempt it. In the remote region north of the Grand Canyon near the Arizona Strip, explore Boulder Mountain and Cathedral Valley on rugged trails with spectacular views. Hurricane Cliffs Trail is rough and only experienced drivers should tackle it; there are large rocks, ruts, narrow terraces and unstable water crossings. Alstrom Point Trail overlooks Lake Powell and its deep canyons.
Hell Hole Pass Trail traverses the Beaver Dam Mountains. There are views of Hurricane Cliffs and Sand Mountain, Zion National Park to the east and Nevada to the west. The Mojave Desert and Joshua Tree Trail runs through arid country near Beaver Dam Wash, Utah's lowest point at 2,350 feet. There's a forest of Joshua trees and there are plenty of desert critters, including rattlesnakes.