There is just nothing else quite like Utah and this 900-mile route will take riders to some unforgettable places. Beginning near Mexican Hat, UT and ending in Garden City, UT the route includes iconic places including Valley of the Gods, Moab, the Abajo and La Sal mountains, Onion Creek, 9 Mile Canyon and the Wasatch Mountains. Utah is unpredictable with mud that is impassable when wet and storms that can wash out roads at anytime. Deep sand challenges riders in places, and a few expert-only options provide excitement for those that seek adrenaline.
Best time of year: May/June and September/October. Extremely hot conditions and the monsoon season occur in July and August making it a difficult time of year to ride the UTBDR.
UTBDR – SECTION DESCRIPTIONS
Section 1: AZ Border to Blanding - 129 Miles
Section 1: AZ Border to Blanding – 129 Miles
Begin your epic ride in the idyllic setting of Monument Valley. Fuel, food and lodging are available here and nearby Mexican Hat, but we advise booking your room ahead due to the limited number of beds at this popular destination. Valley of the Gods, site of legendary western movies and iconic sandstone towers is a dazzling display of pastel hues painted by the rising sun will surely motivate you to get up and out early. Once you rejoin the pavement, a brief ride up the Moki Dugway ushers you east onto Snow Flat Road and eventually north up Butler Wash into Blanding.
Section 2: Blanding to Moab - 179 Miles
Section 2: Blanding to Moab – 179 Miles
Leaving Blanding, you’ll quickly start climbing into the Abajo Mountains, with a stunning collection of blissful switchbacks through tall pines and aspen forest. Take a short detour to fill your tank in Monticello before heading out on a nice paved ride over Harts Draw Road. At the intersection of Hwy 211 you’ll have a choice to make. The main route continues east towards the La Sal Mountains with fuel available in the tiny town of La Sal. The scenery is similar to the Abajos with spectacular views in every direction over Geyser Pass. An expert-only trail is available via Lockhart Basin, a 78-mile trip from Indian Creek to Moab.
WARNING! Do not attempt this section if you are not comfortable in advanced off-road situations. Both fuel and supplies are available at the Needles Outpost, a short distance from the turn-off to Lockhart Basin Road.
Section 3: Moab to Green River - 154 Miles
Section 3: Moab to Green River – 154 Miles
Leaving Moab, climb back into the mountains and take in the cool air, before descending into iconic Onion Creek with several small creek crossing opportunities. North of Dewey Bridge, the riding moves onto the flatter areas of Utah. Old mining camps and abandoned uranium mines offer plenty to look at but this area can be sandy in late summer. The route will eventually pull you north of I-70 into the Book Cliffs, a striking sedimentary rock outcropping. Get off your bike to check out the ghost town of Sego before dropping down into the town of Green River. Options are limited, but fuel for you and your bike are available here.
Section 4: Green River to Wellington - 89.7 Miles
Section 4: Green River to Wellington – 92.2 miles
Just outside of town the route heads north along Cottonwood Wash offering pleasant views of the San Rafael Swell to the west. Expect to make up some time along the Green River cut-off, which will take you west along the Cedar Mountain Recreation Area via a graded gravel road. If time allows, take a detour to the Little Grand Canyon overlook and the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. If you do not plan on camping consider riding a short distance to Price, which has more food and lodging options than Wellington.
Section 5: Wellington to Fruitland - 106 Miles
Section 5: Wellington to Fruitland – 106 Miles
Upon leaving Wellington, an old paved road ushers you to the mouth of Nine Mile Canyon, a beautiful 70 mile stretch of backcountry byway. While the canyon encompasses all types of archaeological sites, it is also home to the world’s largest concentration of Native American rock art dating back 8,000 years. Halfway through the canyon, turn onto Argyle Canyon and up to Hwy 191, where you’ll cross onto Reservation Ridge. From here the road rises to 9,000 feet offering gorgeous views that seem to stretch forever.
Continuing north, Timber Canyon offers a charming ride under a canopy of thick Cottonwood trees along the Strawberry River. For those looking to camp, there are several campsites here but please respect private property rights in this area.
Section 6: Fruitland to Evanston WY - 135 miles
Section 6: Fruitland to Evanston WY – 135 miles
You’ll get high into Utah’s northern mountains on this stretch. After crossing Hwy 35, follow a primitive road surrounded by Evergreens and Aspen trees. The road eventually tops out on a high alpine meadow with rewarding panoramas of the Uinta Wilderness. There is reasonable camping here though better sites can be found along the alpine lakes further ahead.
For advanced riders there are alternate trails up to the lakes – while challenging and rocky they’re worth the trip if you and your machine are up to it. If you’re not, jump on the highway and keep an eye out for signs labeled ‘Washington Lakes Trail’. The final section brings you to Evanston, Wyoming where you can fill up on fuel and food or stay for the night.
Section 7: Evanston to WY Border - 103 Miles
Section 7: Evanston to WY Border – 103 Miles
Aside from staying in Wyoming and stitching together roads in the vast gas and oil fields, there is no way to avoid the paved section from Woodruff to Monte Cristo Ridge. Once you arrive at Monte Cristo Ridge, the route winds through dense pine forests and offers a number of expansive vistas to the west and east. There are myriads of great camping sites the entire length of the road on the way to Garden City. At the end of the route you will be rewarded with a view worthy of the epic adventure you just experienced across the state of Utah. Head into Garden City for a cold pint or a cup of raspberry ice cream, the town’s specialty.
A small town with a gas station, mini-mart, a couple restaurants, and several lodging options.
You’ll need to fuel up in Blanding. There are several good restaurants and affordable hotel options in town.
Moab is one of the larger town along the UTBDR. They have many restaurants, gas staions, and hotels in town. They also have a visitor center where you can get information about more attractions in the area.
Great location with ample parking out back for trailers. Walking distance to food & drink.
Depending on your gas situation, you might have to stop off in Monticello. They have restaurants and lodging options in town too. The town is a 5.5 mile side trip from the UTBDR.
Green River has all you’ll need to rest and recharge. Ray’s Tavern is a friendly place for a meal. Lot of lodging options in town. 
12 townhomes in Duchense, UT. Each townhome is fully furnished with 3 bedrooms/ 3 bathrooms. They provide daily housekeeping services, wifi, and other amenities to make your townhomes feels like “home away from home”. Each townhome has its own washer and dryer, as well. Guests can book for as little as 1 night or 120+ nights.
Garden City is the northernmost town on the UTBDR. They have all the services you’ll need and access to a large popular lake. Lodgingwise there are many options from hotels and resorts to camping and glamping.
Evanston was founded in 1868 as a frontier camp for construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. By 1871, with the construction of a roundhouse and machine shops, the town’s permanency was assured and it soon became the shipping center for cattle for Wyoming, Utah and Montana. A large Chinese population lived in Evanston to work in the Almy Coal Mines and on the Union Pacific track. More recently, Evanston was the center of oil and gas activity along the Overthrust Belt during the mid-80’s.
A 1920’s Prohibition Era Speakeasy with full restaurant.
Open for lunch & dinner with full bar
. Dine-in, take-out or delivery.
45000 W Highway 40, Fruitland, Utah 84027
The timber-framed, open-air restaurant maximizes views of Bear Lake and the surrounding mountains while guests enjoy impeccably prepared, gourmet cuisine comprised of fresh and local ingredients.
