Air Up, Gear Down.
Moab is a must visit destination for those who love scenic adventures.
Moab is home to a wealth of trails that are perfect for exploring on an ATV or UTV. Much of the public land surrounding the national parks is open to ATV and UTV travel on designated routes. To ride in Utah, you'll need to make sure your equipment meets all safety requirements and that you take the required education course.
Motorized travel is restricted to designated motorized routes only, and you cannot ride these vehicles in Arches or Canyonlands National Parks.
First things first: Utah Education Course
Utah law now requires all OHV operators to complete the online Utah Off-Highway Vehicle Education Course. Operators under the age of 18 shall possess a youth OHV education certificate in order to operate an OHV on public land, road or trail. Operators 18 years of age or older may operate an OHV if they possess an approved adult OHV education certificate. You can take the course online.
Bringing your own vehicle to Moab?
Scroll down for what you need to know.
Hire a Guide or Rent a Vehicle!
Make it easy on yourself - hire a local guide to take you off-roading, or rent a vehicle in town. Here's a list of local outfitters:
Bringing your ATV or UTV to Moab? Here's what you should know.
Utah Education Course
Utah law now requires all OHV operators to complete the online Utah Off-Highway Vehicle Education Course. Operators under the age of 18 shall possess a youth OHV education certificate in order to operate an OHV on public land, road or trail. Operators 18 years of age or older may operate an OHV if they possess an approved adult OHV education certificate. You can take the course online.
Street-Legal Requirements
Your vehicle must have (1) a license plate from your home state and (2) meet all of the requirements shown below. If your home state does not issue license plates to ATVs, your vehicle cannot be street legal in Utah. Even if your vehicle is registered with a permit or sticker, but you do not have a license plate, it is not street legal in Utah. If your vehicle is not street legal, it must be trailered or towed to the trailheads. You will also need to apply for a permit.
You cannot drive your ATV/UTV on roads with a speed limit higher than 50 mph. If you're on Highway 191, that means you cannot drive past Arches National Park (to the north) or past the Moab KOA Holiday (to the south).
Equipment Requirements
All ATV/UTVs are required to have certain equipment in working order while being operated in Utah, including:
- Brakes sufficient to stop and hold the machine
- A headlight and taillight while being operated between sunset and sunrise
- A brightly colored whip flag attached to the ATV/UTV and at least eight feet off the ground while being operated on designated sand dune areas
- A muffler and spark arrestor (snowmobiles are exempt from the spark arrestor requirement).
If you're a non-Utah resident, you will also need to apply for an OHV permit. You can apply for a permit with the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation.
ATV/UTV Registration
Utah Residents
Any ATV/UTV being operated or transported on public lands, roads, or trails, of the State of Utah must display a current ATV/UTV registration sticker. All ATV/UTV registrations are handled by the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles.
Non-Utah Residents
If a street-legal ATV/UTV is registered and has a license plate from your home state, and it meets all of Utah’s street-legal requirements, you do not need to purchase a Utah Non-Resident ATV/UTV Permit. If your vehicle is not street legal you need to purchase a permit online. The permits are $30 and are good for a full year. This permit is only for riding on Moab’s OHV trails, not on roads, streets and highways. Revenues generated from OHV user fees are dedicated to construction, improvement, operation and maintenance of OHV trails.
