Community Forums

speedpeddler · 01-22-2013, 08:32 AM

Leaving for a two month trip out west from Florida in May and have heard from others that there are lots of opportunities for off roading on "Jeep" trails. I'll be towing a Jeep Wrangler and I'm curious if others have found this to be true? Being able to explore off road is one of the things we like to do. Do the national or state parks allow this?

Any advice or comments welcome.

Dennis_K · 01-22-2013, 08:49 AM

Generally the farther west you get the more opportunities there will be...until you hit California. Some National parks have trails, review their website maps. You didn't say where out west you were going so can't be more specific. I will say that when flat towing and off-roading you need to be more careful in the off-roading excursions or you will may be repairing the Jeep or buying tires during your trip. I do a lot of off-roading in Arizona and Utah but I use a trailer for the Jeep so when I break the Jeep I don't have to repair it to get home.

CampDaven · 01-22-2013, 09:06 AM

AZ has lots of off road, mostly easy, a few moderate, some difficult.

Prescott has Senator Hwy that leads to many others. Big Bug Mesa is a really beautiful one. Also, Bumblebee and Crown King.

Apache trail leads to Roosevelt dam.

Have fun

toneumanns · 01-22-2013, 09:07 AM

Moab Utah is where you need to go.

vsheetz · 01-22-2013, 09:13 AM

Check out the FMCA4wheelers. RV'ers that go offloading. Moab rally in May. Others listed on the web site in the west and southwest.

A google of off roaring clubs in CA AZ UT CO NV will find many groups. Lots of events often.

griztim76 · 01-22-2013, 09:20 AM

Vince...
Are the FMCA 4 wheelers in Quartzsite this year?
Do you know where?

Thanks,

Tim
2004 Windsor PSt
2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ Toad

avid_dk · 01-22-2013, 10:09 AM

There are a series of books written about the Western States Jeep trails.

For example:

They have them for CA, AZ, CO and Utah. Well worth the investment. If you look at their site Funtreks they have a map of stores where you can purchase them.

vsheetz · 01-22-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by griztim76

Vince...
Are the FMCA 4 wheelers in Quartzsite this year?
Do you know where?

Thanks,

Tim
2004 Windsor PSt
2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ Toad

The website shows a rally there at this time. Additionally, there are a couple active 4x4 clubs in the Quartzsite area, a Google will help you find them.

FMCA 4 Wheelers.

Rich and Cork · 01-22-2013, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avid_dk

There are a series of books written about the Western States Jeep trails.

For example:

They have them for CA, AZ, CO and Utah. Well worth the investment. If you look at their site Funtreks they have a map of stores where you can purchase them.

I was going to recommend the Wells books. Very good resource.

You will not want to miss the trails around Moab, Utah; including all of the National/State parks.

Lots of good and interesting wheeling in California.

Bighammer · 01-23-2013, 07:17 AM

Silverton and Ouray Colorado are a must see. Moab, Utah also. We do Moab every year for 3 weeks. You can spend 2 weeks in Silverton/Ouray and not see everything offroad. Easier trails also.

daveshan · 01-23-2013, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedpeddler

Leaving for a two month trip out west from Florida in May and have heard from others that there are lots of opportunities for off roading on "Jeep" trails. I'll be towing a Jeep Wrangler and I'm curious if others have found this to be true? Being able to explore off road is one of the things we like to do. Do the national or state parks allow this?

Any advice or comments welcome.

Lots of trails out west, come on out and enjoy the rides. My only advice other than that you already have received is stop by a BLM/FS office and get the latest copy of the Motor Vehicle Use Map otherwise known as MVUM. Under the new rules the only legal trails are those on the map, and the FS/BLM no longer marks closed roads. It's up to the driver to have the latest map and use it to determine what's legal. Silverton area is not done with their map so just stay on trails that are obviously well used.

It's also very important to stay on the trails. Every year we have an issue with folks that don't know the area, and sadly some that are local, going off trail leaving tracks through the forest or tundra that the anti access folks find and use as ammunition to close the trails. It's very important to stay on the trails, if you have to pull off to let oncoming traffic pass either proceed or back up to a wide spot and pull over as far as you can without hitting greenery.

If you have a GPS that will accept .gpx tracks Traildamage.com is a very good resource. However the trails listed have been added since before the MVUM process started so some like Yoder Gulch are not legal for Jeeps (changed to 50" or less) but still listed, you still need to consult the MVUM to ensure you're legal.

Thanks and enjoy the west
Dave
Land Use/Webmaster Creeperjeepers.org

justaroamer · 01-23-2013, 07:45 AM

Ditto what all say about CO. Also have done much in MT lots there too, but off road trails are not up to CO as little to no maintence on the more difficult. In MT you will be pretty much on your own on most trails and little to no markings. Been Jeeping CO since the mid '60's with parents and still go almost every year.
Don't forget the winch, shovel, tools, CB/WalkieTalkie especially if not with another vehicle, no matter where you go.
Will be in CO this summer Lake City/Creede areas.