Vernal Trails - Off-Road Adventures in Dinosaur Country

Experience the unique landscape of Vernal, Utah from behind the wheel of a Cliffhanger Jeep. Our trails range from beginner-friendly routes through prehistoric terrain to challenging adventures for experienced off-roaders.

Easy Trails

Sound of Silence

Sound of Silence trail offers a serene journey through Vernal's breathtaking landscape, accessible without extreme technical driving challenges. This route winds through dinosaur country, featuring fascinating geological formations and possible fossil sightings along the way.

The trail follows a well-maintained path with gentle elevation changes and spectacular views of the surrounding red rock formations. While not technically difficult, the trail provides an intimate experience with this unique ecosystem.

Length: 12.5 miles | Duration: 3-4 hours

Moonshine Arch

The Moonshine Arch trail provides a perfect introduction to Vernal off-roading, combining easy driving conditions with access to one of the area's most impressive natural arches. This family-friendly route is ideal for those new to off-road adventures.

The trail follows a relatively smooth dirt road with minimal technical challenges, making it accessible for most vehicles. The highlight is reaching the massive Moonshine Arch, which spans approximately 85 feet and offers excellent photo opportunities.

Length: 8.5 miles | Duration: 2-3 hours

Moderate Trails

Red Fleet Dinosaur Tracks

Red Fleet Dinosaur Tracks trail combines moderate off-road challenges with fascinating prehistoric discoveries. Located near Red Fleet State Park, this trail offers both exciting driving and unique educational opportunities to see actual dinosaur footprints preserved in stone.

The trail features sections of slickrock and moderate climbs that provide a good introduction to technical driving. Several spots offer spectacular views of Red Fleet Reservoir and the surrounding landscape, with the dinosaur trackway being the highlight of the journey.

Length: 14.0 miles | Duration: 4-5 hours

Dry Fork Canyon

The Dry Fork Canyon trail offers a wonderful full-day adventure combining moderate driving challenges with some of the most spectacular scenery in the Vernal area. This extended route travels through diverse terrain including forests, canyons, and high desert.

The trail begins with gradual climbs through pine forests before descending into the dramatic Dry Fork Canyon. As you progress, the terrain transitions from forest roads to more technical sections with rock obstacles and creek crossings.

Length: 32.0 miles | Duration: 5-7 hours

Difficult Trails

Doc's Beach

Doc's Beach is one of Vernal's most challenging trails, offering steep climbs, technical rock sections, and optional extreme challenges. This trail features a series of difficult obstacles that will test even experienced off-road drivers.

The trail consists primarily of steep slickrock climbs and descents with several optional side routes for more adventurous drivers. You'll navigate across expanses of sandstone, following markers painted directly on the rock.

Length: 10.5 miles | Duration: 4-5 hours

Fantasy Canyon

Fantasy Canyon offers a challenging adventure combining technical obstacles, deep sand sections, and incredible views of bizarre erosional features. This popular trail provides a true test of off-road driving skills while rewarding adventurers with some of the most unique geological formations in Utah.

The trail begins with challenging climbs and continues through a mix of slickrock and sandy washes. You'll navigate technical obstacles that require careful tire placement and vehicle control throughout the journey.

Length: 12.0 miles | Duration: 4-6 hours

Prohibited Trails

For the safety of our customers and protection of our vehicles, certain extreme trails in the Vernal area are off-limits for our rental vehicles. These trails feature obstacles that present high risk of vehicle damage or require specialized equipment and expert driving experience.

Outlaw Trail

Outlaw Trail is an extremely challenging route featuring massive rock obstacles that require specialized equipment and expert driving skills. Due to the high risk of vehicle damage, this trail is prohibited for all rental vehicles.

The trail includes infamous obstacles that present serious challenges even for highly modified vehicles with experienced drivers.

Length: 15.0 miles | Duration: 6-8 hours

Lapoint Ridge

Lapoint Ridge is considered one of the most challenging trails in the Vernal area, featuring massive rock obstacles, tight squeezes, and extremely technical driving sections. Due to the guaranteed risk of vehicle damage, this trail is strictly prohibited for all rental vehicles.

The trail includes multiple high-risk obstacles that regularly cause damage even to purpose-built rock crawling vehicles.

Length: 8.5 miles | Duration: 5-7 hours

Additional Prohibited Trails

For your safety and to protect our vehicles from damage, we also prohibit the following trails: McCoy Flats Extreme, Brush Creek Canyon, and Little Mountain Summit. These trails feature extreme obstacles that frequently cause vehicle damage even with experienced drivers.

If you have questions about any trail not listed here or on our recommended trails page, please call us at 435-259-0889 for guidance.