Utah has some of the most dramatic gravel riding terrain in North America. From the slickrock landscapes of Moab to the alpine roads of the Wasatch to the canyon country of the south, the state offers a staggering variety of gravel experiences compressed into one geography. These are the best gravel routes in Utah — across every region of the state.
What Utah Gravel Riding Is Like
Utah gravel is defined by two things: red rock and altitude. The southern and central parts of the state are dominated by canyon country — sandstone, desert scrub, and BLM roads that stretch for hundreds of miles with almost no traffic. The northern part of the state transitions to the Wasatch Range and its high-altitude forest roads. Conditions are drier than PNW or Colorado standards, which means most routes are rideable from late April through November. Water is the critical variable — many routes have no water sources, and heat in summer months demands careful planning.
1. The Tushar Mountains — Beaver Area
The Tushar Mountains in south-central Utah host the Crusher in the Tushar race, and the forest roads in this range are among the best gravel riding in the state. The route from Beaver climbs through ponderosa pine forest to exposed ridgelines above 11,000 feet with views of the entire southern Utah landscape. The Crusher course roads are rideable outside of the race weekend and make for an excellent 60–80 mile day with 8,000+ feet of climbing. Open mid-June through October.
2. White Rim Road — Canyonlands National Park
The White Rim is one of the most iconic cycling routes in the American West. The 100-mile loop follows a shelf road cut into the canyon walls of Canyonlands National Park, 1,200 feet above the Colorado and Green Rivers. The terrain is primarily packed dirt and sand on NPS-maintained roads. Most cyclists do the White Rim as a 2–3 day bikepacking trip camping at designated sites along the route. A permit is required. The views are extraordinary; the descent back into Moab is unforgettable. Best April–May and October.
3. Wasatch Crest Trail (Gravel Access Roads) — Salt Lake City Area
The Wasatch Crest is primarily known as a mountain bike trail, but the access roads and fire roads that connect to it offer exceptional gravel riding within 30 minutes of Salt Lake City. The climb from Millcreek Canyon to the ridgeline gains 4,000 feet in 8 miles on a well-graded dirt road. The views from the ridge encompass Salt Lake Valley on one side and the Park City valley on the other. Best July through September; the ridge is often snow-covered in spring.
4. House Rock Valley Road — Kanab Area
House Rock Valley Road runs along the base of the Vermilion Cliffs in southern Utah — one of the most visually striking landscapes in the American West. The road is flat to gently rolling on packed dirt, making it accessible to riders of all fitness levels. The Vermilion Cliffs National Monument stretches along the entire route. Best March–May and September–November when temperatures are reasonable. Bring 3+ liters of water; there is no water on this route.
5. Nebo Loop Road — Payson Canyon
The Nebo Loop is a combination of paved road and dirt forest service roads that circumnavigate Mount Nebo (the highest peak in the Wasatch Range at 11,928 feet). The full loop from Payson covers 40–50 miles with 6,000 feet of climbing. The southern section uses forest roads that are unpaved for 15–20 miles through aspen and fir forest. One of the most accessible big mountain gravel rides in Utah for riders based in the Provo/Salt Lake area. Open mid-June through early October.
6. Escalante River Road — Grand Staircase Area
The roads through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument are some of the most remote gravel riding in the continental United States. The Hole-in-the-Rock Road and Smoky Mountain Road give access to 50–100 mile routes through canyon country where cell service doesn’t exist and the closest help is 60+ miles away. These routes require satellite communication, significant water carrying capacity, and full mechanical self-sufficiency. The reward is riding through landscapes that feel genuinely untouched.
Planning Your Utah Gravel Trip
Utah gravel riding demands more pre-trip research than most destinations. Water availability, road conditions (many BLM roads become impassable when wet), and remoteness all require planning. Download offline maps, check BLM road condition websites before driving to trailheads, and always tell someone your route and expected return time. For Utah’s major gravel events including the Crusher in the Tushar, see our race calendar.
Race Utah gravel — see the Crusher in the Tushar and other western events on the calendar. → View the Race Calendar
