Guides/OHV areas/Utah
OHV area1,500+ marked routes (275-mile main loop) trail midifficulty: difficult

Paiute ATV Trail System

RegionUtahAgencyU.S. Forest Service & Bureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Paiute ATV Trail System — ohv area near Marysvale, Utah, Utah
hakkun — CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Area vitals6 facts
Trail miles
1,500+ marked routes (275-mile main loop)
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Vehicle classes
ATV, UTV / Side-by-side, Motorcycle / Dirt bike, 4WD truck/SUV
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Permit
Required
Cell coverage
Spotty. Drops out fast above 8,000 ft.
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The Paiute ATV Trail is one of the largest organized OHV networks in the United States, with more than 1,500 miles of marked routes spanning Fishlake National Forest, BLM Richfield Field Office land, and connecting county roads across central Utah. The main 275-mile loop circles Marysvale, Junction, and Beaver, with hundreds of miles of side trails climbing into the Tushar Mountains, dropping into desert valleys, and tying into the Great Western Trail.

The system accommodates ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, side-by-sides, and full-size 4WDs. Single-track segments restrict access to vehicles 50 inches wide or less; the broader two-track and forest-road network is open to trucks and Jeeps. Marysvale, on US-89 between Richfield and I-70, is the practical basecamp, with town-edge trailheads, gas, motels, and shops that cater specifically to riders.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Elevation range. Routes climb above 11,000 ft. Snow lingers into June on the high passes; weather changes fast.
  • Width restrictions vary. Some segments are 50 inches only; others 60 inches. Open forest roads are full-size accessible. Check segment width before riding.
  • Long distances between services. Carry extra fuel and water. Fuel stops inside the network are limited to the hub towns.
  • Flash floods. Lower drainages flood after summer thunderstorms. Watch the weather window before committing to a multi-day route.
  • Mixed-use traffic. The network sees ATVs, UTVs, full-size 4WDs, mountain bikers, and horseback riders sharing the same corridors.
  • Spotty cell service. Drops out fast above 8,000 ft. Bring an offline map or GPS.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 38.44860, -112.22990

Current conditions

Live weather

Area facts

7 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management
Nearest townMarysvale, Utah
PermitUtah OHV registration required (street-legal or OHV-registered). Non-residents need a Utah OHV non-resident permit (purchase online or at the Marysvale visitor center). Riders under 16 must complete the Utah OHV education course.
Agency contact435-326-4400 (Marysvale Visitor Center) / 435-896-9233 (Fishlake NF Richfield Ranger District)
Websitewww.blm.gov/visit/paiute-trail
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Coordinates38.44860, -112.22990

Getting there

Directions

The 275-mile main trail connects communities across Sevier, Millard, Piute, Beaver, and Garfield counties in central Utah, with more than 1,000 miles of marked side trails. The common staging towns are Marysvale, Beaver, Koosharem, and Richfield.

Koosharem Reservoir trailhead: 20 miles south of Vermillion on UT-24.

Otter Creek Reservoir access: Near Antimony in the southeastern corner of Piute County.

Beaver: Direct access from town on the network's western side.

The trail system is co-managed by the BLM Richfield Field Office and the U.S. Forest Service.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The Paiute ATV Trail covers a swath of central Utah roughly bounded by I-70 to the north, US-89 and SR-21 to the west, and the I-15 corridor to the south. The Tushar Mountains form the high spine; the Sevier and Beaver River drainages cut the basins on either side. Fishlake National Forest manages the upper-elevation segments and the BLM Richfield Field Office covers the desert floor; in many places the two flow together without a visible administrative seam. Marysvale, on US-89 near the Sevier River, is the network's traditional headquarters.

What to Expect

The signed network exceeds 1,500 miles. The main numbered Paiute Trail (#01) is the 275-mile spine; everything else is a numbered side trail or a connecting forest road. Surface ranges from improved gravel two-track to single-track narrow enough to require a 50-inch UTV. Most of the high country sits between 7,500 and 11,000 feet, so weather changes fast and snow lingers into June on the upper passes. Multi-day trips are the norm for full-system riders; weekend visitors typically pick a hub town and ride loops out of it.

Vehicle and Permit Rules

  • All motorized vehicles must be registered with the Utah DMV (street-legal or OHV-registered).
  • Non-resident riders need a Utah OHV permit before riding, available online or at the Marysvale visitor center.
  • The Utah OHV education course is required for riders under 16 and recommended for everyone.
  • Spark arresters are required on all motorized vehicles.
  • The main #01 Trail is open to vehicles up to 50 inches wide. Several connector routes restrict to 60 inches. Open forest roads are full-size accessible.

Hub Towns and Trailheads

  • Marysvale. The network's basecamp and unofficial headquarters. Direct trailhead access from town, multiple OHV-friendly motels and outfitters, and the Marysvale visitor center as a planning resource.
  • Junction. Smaller hub south of Marysvale on US-89.
  • Beaver. West-side access to the Tushar Mountains and the Beaver Canyon segments.
  • Koosharem. USFS-developed trailhead 2.3 miles west of town on Forest Road 076. Vault toilet, kiosk, and developed parking.
  • Richfield. The largest service town in the area, with full-service campgrounds and gas; longer drive to most main loops.
  • Salina. Northern entry point with access to the Gooseberry Trail System (a separate-but-connected USFS network).

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on most BLM and Fishlake NF land along the network, with standard stay limits of 14 days on BLM ground and 16 on the forest. Several developed campgrounds sit along or near the system: Big John Flat, Mahogany Cove, Big Rock Candy Mountain RV Park, and Maple Grove are common riders' choices. Marysvale and Beaver have private campgrounds geared specifically to OHV trailers.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Buy or print the official Paiute Trail map before riding. The signed network is too extensive to navigate by phone alone, and cell coverage drops out fast above 8,000 ft.
  • Plan around weather. Summer thunderstorms cause flash floods in the lower drainages; the high passes can hold snow into early summer. The reliable window is mid-June through October.
  • Carry recovery gear, water, and extra fuel. Distances between fuel pumps inside the system are long.
  • The Marysvale visitor center has current closure info and trail conditions: 435-326-4400.
  • The official trails site, paiutetrails.com, hosts the GPS tracks the FS doesn't publish directly.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Paiute ATV Trail System?
Paiute ATV Trail System is rated difficult.
When is the best time to visit Paiute ATV Trail System?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Do you need a permit for Paiute ATV Trail System?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Paiute ATV Trail System?
Spotty. Drops out fast above 8,000 ft.