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. While Highlands Road may not be the main destination itself, it is an important access route for reaching many of the popular trails and hidden spots across Dome Plateau. This easy county road winds through the higher country of the plateau, passing colorful sandstone cliffs, open meadows, and broad landscapes with distant views of the La Sal Mountains. The surface is a straightforward dirt road that is generally smooth and two vehicles wide, making travel comfortable and simple in dry conditions. Along the way, other 4x4 routes branch off toward scenic overlooks, old log cabins, and lesser-known backcountry points of interest. Because it serves as a connector, Highlands Road is often the starting point for bigger adventures deeper into the area. Even on its own, the route offers pleasant scenery and a relaxing drive as it continues toward the Paradox Basin.
Difficulty
This route is a simple two-vehicle-wide dirt road with no major obstacles or technical challenges described. It is primarily used as an access road to other trails and destinations across Dome Plateau. In dry conditions, most SUVs, trucks, and crossovers with reasonable clearance should have no trouble. Wet weather may create mud or slick spots that slightly increase difficulty.
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.
