[teckybug]

Hey all, so I will be taking the family out on a road trip out west from NYC to California this summer.
I am starting to plan the routes and will be passing through southern Utah and Nevada...
Any recommendations on things to see along the way? More specifically, any moderate/simple off road trails around?
I have stock tires, but RRO rockrails/winch set up, not looking to do anything hardcore - definitely don't want to risk major damage while that far away from home.
Is there anything anyone can think of that would be perfect to drive through with the family? I will also be going through Arizona and New Mexico on the return route.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Bhopkins21]

Not really in Southern Utah but...

Rattlesnake 4x4 Trail GPS Coordinates: 40°15'22.54"N, 112°12'23.55"W
Difficulty: 3 - 3.5
Location: Trail starts on Sunshine Canyon Road 7 miles west of Fairfield, UT on Hwy 73
Distance: 2.5 miles one way
Description: This trail begins at approximately 3/4 of a mile in from the road where you divert from Sunshine Canyon to the next canyon to the west. . The trail ends before Wayne's World and Constrictor Trail beyond that. County dirt roads to the east of the trail take you back to the road at the entrance point. It's just around the corner from where all the ATV/Dirt Bikers ride just have to keep an eye out. The whole area could be an easy ride, but going into rattlesnake and up gets harder.

 

[taatmk]

Assuming you will be coming along I-70 from Colorado into Utah, then I-15 south into southern Utah and Nevada. Moab is about 41 miles south of I-70 as you enter Utah from Colorado. Lots of trails and other routes in the Moab area. I would recommend some mild, not hard core routes in and around Moab such as: Onion Creek, the Shafter Road, Potash Road, Harrah Pass.

When back on I-70 heading west thru central Utah, you could visit a number of mild roads north or south of I-70 in the San Rafael Swell area. Its beautiful country and really ought to be a national park. The Wedge Overlook is awesome, viewing the "Little Grand Canyon". Buckhorn Wash is awesome, with lots of Native American pictographs (please help preserve them). South of I-70 along here is Goblin Valley State Park with lots of crazy hoodoo rock formations.

If heading back home via Arizona, north of I-10, heading up I-17 for a ways is Sedona, AZ. There are scenic rock formations there, as well as a very mild (the most mild?) Jeep Badge of Honor trail named Schnebly Hill. You would give your family a taste of off-roading there for sure.

Here's a map link: http://www.castlecountry.com/media/uploads/files/San-Rafael-Swell-Map.pdf

Once on I-15 heading south toward Nevada is a main entrance to Zion National Park. Not off-roading, all paved, but well worth a visit while in the area.

Once into Nevada, just west of Las Vegas is Red Rock Canyon which is a good stop. Crossing into California from Nevada is the Mojave National Conservation Area with lots of interesting desert flora such as the Joshua tree....