Trail Overview
Non-Resident OHV permits apply to ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes. Plated street-legal vehicles typically do not need one on legal motorized routes. This narrow out-and-back route offers a fun mix of easy cruising and light technical driving through classic high desert scenery. The trail remains one vehicle wide for the entire length, so expect limited passing opportunities and be prepared to yield where needed. Most of the surface is made up of sand and dirt, making for a generally smooth drive, but scattered rocky sections and small ledges add enough challenge to keep things interesting. Proper tire placement is helpful in these uneven spots, though the obstacles are not considered extreme for most high-clearance 4WD vehicles. Along the way, sagebrush and desert vegetation line the route, creating a remote feel. At the end, rewarding views open up of the surrounding red rock landscape with the La Sal Mountains rising in the distance.
Difficulty
This route is suitable for most high-clearance 4WD vehicles, but it offers a few features that raise it above a simple, easy trail. The route is narrow and only one vehicle wide the entire way, adding some challenge when meeting other traffic or finding places to pass. Most of the trail is sand and dirt, with scattered rocky sections and small ledges that require basic tire placement. There is also a more notable rock obstacle in a washed-out section that features uneven rock shelves, which may require slower, more deliberate driving and could require the use of 4lo range gearing. Pinstriping is possible from surrounding vegetation in tighter areas.
History
Dome Plateau sits within a region shaped by erosion, mining history, and early backcountry travel routes outside Moab. Today, the trail system is popular with off-road travelers looking to experience classic red rock scenery beyond the busier in-town trails.
