Guides/OHV areas
OHV area60,000 acresOpen dune riding across 60,000 acres trail midifficulty: difficult

Little Sahara Recreation Area

AgencyBureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Little Sahara Recreation Area — ohv area near Nephi, Utah
BLM Utah
Area vitals8 facts
Size
60,000acres
Trail miles
Open dune riding across 60,000 acres
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Vehicle classes
ATV, UTV / Side-by-side, Motorcycle / Dirt bike, 4WD truck/SUV, Sand rail / Dune buggy
Best months
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Permit
Required
Fees
Day use $18 per vehicle; annual pass $90.
Cell coverage
Spotty. Service drops once you leave the entrance road.
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Little Sahara is a 60,000-acre BLM dune recreation area in Juab County, Utah, between Nephi and Delta on the floor of the Sevier Desert. The dunes formed from a Pleistocene Sevier River delta into ancient Lake Bonneville and continue to move five to nine feet per year. The Bureau of Land Management's Salt Lake Field Office manages four developed campgrounds (Jericho, White Sands, Sand Mountain, Oasis) totaling 255 improved sites and an open dune-riding zone that surrounds Sand Mountain — a 700-foot dune face that's the area's signature hill climb.

Day use is $18 per vehicle; the annual pass is $90. The Rockwell Natural Area on the recreation area's northwest corner (9,000 acres) is closed to vehicles and protects desert tortoise habitat. Riders need Utah OHV registration and the Utah non-resident OHV permit if they're from out of state.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Sand Mountain steepness. The 700-foot dune is steep enough to flip stock vehicles. Built rigs only.
  • Heat. Summer afternoons exceed 100°F. The sand reflects heat brutally.
  • Whip-flag visibility. Dunes hide oncoming traffic. Whip flags are required and the rule is enforced.
  • Closed Rockwell area. Desert tortoise habitat. Stay out.
  • Wind and dust. Afternoon winds raise heavy dust. Eye protection mandatory.
  • No services beyond the contact station. Carry your own water and fuel.
  • Holiday crowds. Easter and Thanksgiving fill the area; expect heavy traffic and limited staging space.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 39.70440, -112.33030

Area facts

7 fields
AgencyBureau of Land Management
Nearest townNephi, Utah
PermitUtah OHV registration required (street-legal or OHV-registered); non-residents need a Utah OHV non-resident permit. Riders under 16 must complete the Utah OHV education course. Helmets required for ATV and motorcycle operators and passengers under 18 (recommended for all).
Agency contact435-433-5960 (BLM Salt Lake Field Office, Little Sahara contact station)
Websitewww.blm.gov/visit/little-sahara-recreation-area
ClosedJul, Aug
Coordinates39.70440, -112.33030

Getting there

Directions

From Salt Lake City: Approximately 115 miles southwest via Nephi (about two hours). From Nephi, head west on Highway 132 and Juab County Road 1812 for roughly 28 miles.

From Delta: 38 miles north on Highway 6.

From Eureka: 23 miles south on Highway 6.

The visitor center sits at the entrance and has restrooms, water, and the BLM's up-to-date riding-area maps.

Photos

9 photos

Photos · 9

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Little Sahara sits between I-15 (Nephi exit 222) and US-6, about 40 miles west of Nephi via Jericho Junction. The four developed campgrounds anchor the recreation area's perimeter; the dune zone fills the middle. The Bureau of Land Management's Salt Lake Field Office runs the contact station at Jericho.

Sand Mountain on the northeast corner is the area's largest dune feature — a 700-foot wall of sand that pulls advanced sand-rail and high-horsepower truck drivers. The rest of the dune zone is a mix of beginner bowls, skirt riding, and rolling sand hills.

What to Expect

60,000 acres of open dune and sandhill terrain. The riding mix:

  • Beginner zones. The skirts around the four campgrounds are gentle and family-friendly.
  • Intermediate dune fields. The middle of the area has rolling dunes 50-200 feet tall.
  • Sand Mountain. The 700-foot expert dune. Reaching the top demands a built rig with paddle tires.
  • Rockwell Natural Area. The northwest 9,000 acres, closed to vehicles to protect desert tortoise habitat.

Little Sahara is the largest dune destination in Utah and the standard staging area for the state's sand community. Easter and Thanksgiving weekends fill the campgrounds and bring 5,000+ riders.

Vehicle and Permit Rules

  • Utah OHV registration required (street-legal or OHV-registered).
  • Non-resident riders need a Utah OHV non-resident permit (purchase online or at the contact station).
  • Riders under 16 must complete the Utah OHV education course.
  • Helmets required for ATV and motorcycle operators and passengers under 18; recommended for all.
  • Spark arresters required on all motorized vehicles.
  • Whip flags required on dunes (8-foot whip with flag).
  • The Rockwell Natural Area is closed to vehicles.
  • Stay out of fenced research plots and tortoise habitat.

Trailhead and Camping

  • Jericho Campground. Largest of the four, 41 sites, vault toilets, water in season.
  • White Sands Campground. 100 sites, restrooms, water in season.
  • Sand Mountain Campground. Closest to the big dune, 80 sites, vault toilets.
  • Oasis Campground. Smaller, quieter, 35 sites, vault toilets.

All four are first-come outside Easter and Thanksgiving (when reservations are recommended). Standard fees apply on top of the day-use fee.

Where to Camp

The four developed BLM campgrounds are the standard option. Total of 255 improved sites with vault toilets and seasonal water. Camp fees are on top of the day-use fee. Dispersed camping is also allowed in much of the recreation area outside the developed zones; carry everything in.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Whip flags are required on the dunes. Check at the contact station before riding if you don't have one.
  • The reliable season is March-May and September-November. Summer afternoons exceed 100°F and the sand burns through paddle tires fast.
  • Carry water. Campgrounds have seasonal water but it's not always running; carry your own.
  • Sand Mountain is steep enough to flip stock vehicles. Don't attempt without a rig built for it.
  • Rockwell Natural Area is closed to vehicles. Stay out — desert tortoise habitat is the reason.
  • Cell coverage drops fast off the entrance road. Bring an offline map.
  • Pair with the Paiute ATV Trail (also Utah, two hours south) for a multi-area trip.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Little Sahara Recreation Area?
Little Sahara Recreation Area is rated difficult.
When is the best time to visit Little Sahara Recreation Area?
The best months are Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov. Avoid Jul, Aug.
Do you need a permit for Little Sahara Recreation Area?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Little Sahara Recreation Area?
Spotty. Service drops once you leave the entrance road.