Long-distance multi-use route · Statewide (documented here: Dixie NF)
Great Western Trail (Utah segments)
The Great Western Trail crosses Utah in segments; the Dixie NF segment is documented at 110.5 miles.
Quick answer
We only document the segment we could source. The Forest Service trail layer lists it as multi-use, but each forest's MVUM decides what is legal for your machine.
Sources disagree two or more sources give different figures; both are shownNot verified not published on the pages we read, or only in a secondary source
Key facts
| Location & counties | Dixie National Forest segment (unit 0407): Forest Service trail layer lists 10 segments; ends at roughly 37.73 N, 112.09 W and 38.03 N, 111.37 W (not a route map). [1] |
|---|---|
| Managing agency | Dixie National Forest (this segment); Fishlake National Forest also carries parts of the Great Western Trail. [1, 2] |
| Total miles | Dixie segment: 110.5 miles (sum of 10 segments, trail numbers 33001 and 34001). Statewide Utah length is not verified. [1]Not verified |
| Loops & main segments | Not a loop. Fishlake publishes a Gooseberry & Great Western Trail map. A Dixie-side Pine Lake to Torrey section of about 77 miles appears in one search summary only (not verified). [2, 1]Not verified |
| Trailheads & access towns | The Forest Service recreation layer records no trailhead within a third of a mile of the Dixie segment line; Pine Lake and Posey Lake campgrounds are within about 5 miles. [1] |
| Elevation | Not published on the sources. [1]Not verified |
| Season | Not published on the sources; the layer lists uses as allowed year-round, but snow closes high sections in practice. Check the forest. [1]Not verified |
| Width limits | Typical tread width 18-24" and 48-60"; listed as open to motorcycle, ATV and 4WD over 50". The MVUM governs. [1] |
| Vehicle restrictions | Open to hiking, horse and pack stock, mountain biking, motorcycle, ATV, 4WD over 50" and e-bikes in the layer; trail class 3-4 (developed to highly developed). Not in a wilderness area. [1] |
| Permits & registration | Utah-registered machines follow the Utah DMV OHV registration rules; machines from other states need a Utah non-resident OHV permit ($35 per machine, valid 12 months). Every operator needs the Utah OHV education certificate (adult course is free and online; youth under 18 need a youth certificate). Details in the Utah rules summary. [3, 4, 5] |
| Fuel & lodging towns | Not sourced; see the Paunsaugunt, Markagunt and Fishlake pages for nearby bases. [1]Not verified |
| Difficulty | Not rated on the sources. [1]Not verified |
Highlights
- A connector: the Great Western Trail links forest systems; an older USFS publication describes the Paiute joining it as part of a very large connected motorized network (a claim, not verified). [6]
Hazards
- Trail conditions, closures and fire notices are not tracked in the trail layer; use the forest alerts page. [1]
Maps and official pages
Always download the current MVUM or agency map; the Utah OHV maps page lists statewide map sources. Utah rules summary: Utah OHV rules. We did not build a route map: we have no sourced trail coordinates.
Machines and loads
Match your quad to the segment's width limits on the MVUM; 50" or under is the ATV class (see the Width column in the model database).
| Class in our database | Models | Front rack rating (lb) | Rear rack rating (lb) | Towing rating (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (<500cc) | 9 | 66-90 lb | 133-180 lb | 802-1350 lb |
| Mid (500-649cc) | 15 | 75-121 lb | 100-242 lb | 661-1830 lb |
| Mid-large (650-899cc) | 14 | 88-120 lb | 176-240 lb | 848-1830 lb |
| Big bore (900cc+) | 10 | 120-200 lb | 240-300 lb | 1500-1830 lb |
| 2-up touring | 23 | 44-121 lb | 77-242 lb | 772-1830 lb |
Ranges across the models in our database for each class; blank cells in a source are skipped, and some front ratings are not published. Your own machine's rating is on its model page and in the owner's manual and is the number that counts.
See the model database and how to choose. Our database lists overall width where we could find it (see the Width column; blank means unknown). A quad of 50 in or less fits the 50-inch trails. Check your owner's manual against the width limits above, and remember that wide tires, spacers and cargo count toward width.
Gear for this trip
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- Multi-day trail-ride loadout (Paiute-style)
- Overnight ATV camp loadout
- Trailside recovery and repairs
- Utah dispersed camping rules
- Recovery checklist, camping checklist, safety checklist
- Recovery gear roundup, satellite messengers & GPS
What we could not verify
- Statewide mileage.
- Pine Lake to Torrey section length.
- Elevation, season, difficulty, services.
Sources
- Trailhead Atlas: Great Western Trail, Dixie NF (Forest Service trail layer; secondary)
- Fishlake National Forest: OHV page (updated Mar 9, 2026)
- Utah Outdoor Recreation: Off-highway vehicles (program home)
- Utah Outdoor Recreation: Non-resident OHV permits
- Utah Outdoor Recreation: OHV laws & rules
- USFS publication, older edition, via GovInfo (GOVPUB-A13-PURL-gpo122587)
Last verified Oct 27, 2026 (America/Denver). Structured data: trails.json, trails.csv.
More Utah trail systems
Mountain trail system (multi-day)
Paiute ATV Trail
Mountain trail system
Arapeen OHV Trail System
Mountain trail system
Paunsaugunt ATV Trail & Powell Ranger District
Mountain trail system
Cedar Mountain / Markagunt OHV System
Forest OHV network
Fishlake NF: Gooseberry & Parker Mountain
Mountain trail system
Ashley NF: Outlaw & Yellowstone ATV trails
Sand dune area
Little Sahara Recreation Area
Sand dune area
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Sand dune / slickrock area
Sand Hollow State Park & Sand Mountain OHV Area
Designated route network (desert)