Guides/OHV areas/Utah
OHV area17 main loop trail midifficulty: difficult

Tommy Creek Loop OHV

RegionUtahAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Tommy Creek Loop OHV — ohv area near Hatch, Utah, Utah
The Dye Clan — CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Area vitals6 facts
Trail miles
17 main loop
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Vehicle classes
ATV, UTV / Side-by-side, Motorcycle / Dirt bike
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Permit
Required
Cell coverage
Spotty.
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Tommy Creek Loop is a 17-mile OHV system on Dixie National Forest connecting Mammoth Cave, Henrie Knoll, Mammoth Springs, and Dead Lake. Most of the loop runs as mixed-use forest road suitable for full-size 4WDs and standard OHVs; the Jensen Sawmill spur is restricted to OHVs only.

The Cedar City Ranger District manages the system. Elevations run 7,500 to 9,000 feet, and the reliable window is mid-June through October.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Width restriction on Jensen Sawmill spur. OHV-only.
  • Mud after rain. Postpone after storms.
  • High elevation. Snow into June.
  • Cell service. Spotty.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 37.65390, -112.43220

Current conditions

Live weather

Area facts

7 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townHatch, Utah
PermitUtah OHV registration required. Non-residents need a Utah OHV non-resident permit. Spark arresters required. Confirm vehicle width restrictions on the Jensen Sawmill spur before riding.
Agency contact435-865-3700 (Cedar City Ranger District)
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/recreation/4-tommy-creek-loop
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Coordinates37.65390, -112.43220

Getting there

Directions

The 17-mile Tommy Creek Loop (not counting spurs) sits on the Dixie National Forest, on the west side of Mammoth Creek Highway. The trail leads to Henrie Knoll, Tommy Creek, Mammoth Springs, Jensen Sawmill (OHV-only), and Dead Lake before tying into Trail 1 at Red Desert.

From Panguitch, head south on US-89, then east on UT-12 toward the Mammoth Creek area. Access the trailhead via the Mammoth Creek Highway off UT-12. Multiple connector routes (43-49) link to Mammoth Cave, Asay Knoll Loop, and Mammoth Creek to Hatch.

Contact the Cedar City or Powell Ranger District for current trail status and the area MVUM.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Tommy Creek Loop sits on the Dixie NF's Cedar City Ranger District, near Hatch and Panguitch. The loop is part of a broader OHV network that includes the Markagunt Plateau Trail and several other Dixie loops. Mammoth Cave (the lava-tube cave system, not the Kentucky park) is the loop's primary feature.

What to Expect

Seventeen-mile main loop with several spur trails. The main loop is mixed-use forest road accepting full-size 4WDs; the Jensen Sawmill spur is OHV-only. Surface is graded forest road and two-track. Mud after rain or snowmelt requires 4WD.

Vehicle and Permit Rules

  • Utah OHV registration required.
  • Non-resident riders need a Utah OHV non-resident permit.
  • Spark arresters required.
  • The Jensen Sawmill spur restricts to OHVs only. Confirm vehicle width before riding the spur.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on Dixie NF land along the loop. Mammoth Cave Campground (USFS developed) sits near the system.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Confirm trail status with the Cedar City Ranger District (435-865-3700).
  • Carry a spark arrester. USFS enforces.
  • The loop pairs well with the Markagunt Plateau OHV Trail.
  • Cell service is spotty.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Tommy Creek Loop OHV?
Tommy Creek Loop OHV is rated difficult.
When is the best time to visit Tommy Creek Loop OHV?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Do you need a permit for Tommy Creek Loop OHV?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Tommy Creek Loop OHV?
Spotty.