La Sal Loops Above Moab, Utah
The La Sal Mountains can feel like a different world from Moab’s red-rock desert: cooler air, shady forests, open meadows, and long views across southeastern Utah. But the change in scenery comes with a planning challenge: not every mountain road is open to ATVs or UTVs, and weather can shift quickly at higher elevations. This guide explains how to plan a responsible ride in the La Sal area.
What to expect from the La Sal Loops
A cooler, higher-elevation ride above Moab
The La Sal Mountains rise southeast of Moab, and their forested slopes offer a striking contrast to the sandstone and desert terrain below. A ride here can take you past conifers, aspen, mountain meadows, and broad views toward the surrounding red-rock country. The change in temperature can be welcome after a hot day near town, but it also means you should plan for conditions that may be very different from Moab’s.
Elevation affects more than comfort. Engines, riders, and passengers may all feel the difference, especially if they have spent the morning at lower elevations and climb quickly. Take breaks, drink water, and pay attention to how everyone is feeling. The cooler air can also make it easy to underestimate sun exposure and dehydration.
The name “La Sal Loops” can refer loosely to riding routes in the mountains rather than one single, universally defined ATV loop. Roads and trails in the area may have different managing agencies, surface conditions, seasonal restrictions, and vehicle rules. Before setting off, identify the exact route you intend to ride rather than relying on a broad map label or a route someone described as “the loop.”
Understand the difference between scenic roads and OHV routes
The La Sal Mountain Loop Road is a scenic driving route, not a blanket authorization to ride an ATV or UTV on every road branching from it. A paved road, an unpaved road, a forest road, and a designated motorized trail can each have different rules. Being physically able to drive a road does not mean it is open to your machine.
Before your trip, check the current official travel map for the land manager responsible for the route. On National Forest land, the Motor Vehicle Use Map, often called the MVUM, is an essential tool for confirming which roads and trails are designated for motorized use. Check any relevant county road information as well, particularly if your route connects public lands or uses roads outside the forest.
Use a navigation app as a planning aid, not as proof that a route is legal. For example, onX Offroad can help you review mapped routes and organize a ride, but compare the route with official motor-vehicle information before driving it. Pay attention to route boundaries, seasonal dates, vehicle restrictions, and signs at the trailhead. For broader guidance on reading maps, see [Reading a Motor Vehicle Use Map] and [Telling Open Routes From Closed on a Forest Map].
Choosing a route and planning your ride
Match the route to your machine and experience
A good mountain route is one your group can complete comfortably, not simply the one with the most dramatic name or the longest line on a map. Check the route’s surface, width, grades, tight turns, and any information about obstacles. A route that feels straightforward in a smaller ATV may be uncomfortable or impassable for a wide side-by-side. If you are riding a larger machine, confirm that the route is wide enough and that turning or passing areas are available.
Think about the least experienced person in your group when selecting a ride. A driver who is confident on open desert tracks may still be unfamiliar with narrow forest roads, loose gravel, steep sections, or passing on a hillside. Keep the first outing conservative, and leave time to turn around if conditions or confidence change. If you are unsure how to assess route difficulty, [What Trail Difficulty Ratings Leave Out] offers a useful reminder that a rating cannot describe every condition you may encounter.
A sensible route plan has a clear start and finish, a realistic turnaround point, and enough time for stops. Let someone outside the group know where you expect to ride and when you expect to return. If the route includes several junctions, save the important turns in advance and make sure every driver understands the plan. onX Offroad can be useful for saving a planned route, but carry an offline-capable map option and do not assume you will have mobile service in the mountains.
Check access and seasonal conditions before leaving Moab
Mountain access can change with snow, mud, maintenance, or seasonal closures. A route that was passable during a dry summer visit may be soft or blocked after rain, while lingering snow can affect higher roads even when Moab is warm. Conditions can also vary within a single ride: a sunny lower approach does not guarantee that shaded, higher sections are dry.
Check route status close to your departure, then look again for closure notices and signs when you arrive. Do not drive around a closed gate, cross a muddy area simply because another vehicle has left tracks, or treat a map line as permission to continue. Turning around is often the safest and most responsible choice. For a more complete pre-trip routine, use [Checking Utah Trail Conditions Before You Tow] and [Trail Closures Utah Riders Should Check First].
Build flexibility into your day. If your preferred route is closed or the surface is too wet, have a legal alternative that suits your machines and available time. Avoid planning a tight schedule that leaves no room for slower travel, photo stops, a mechanical issue, or a change in weather. Even a route that appears short on a screen can take much longer when you are riding carefully and stopping to let other traffic pass.
| Planning question | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Is the route open to motorized travel? | Official MVUM, closure notices, and signs | A mapped road is not automatically open to ATVs or UTVs |
| Does the route fit your machine? | Width, surface, grades, turns, and restrictions | A wide side-by-side may not fit every narrow route |
| Are conditions suitable today? | Recent weather, snow, mud, and local updates | Conditions at higher elevations can differ from Moab |
| Can you navigate without service? | Downloaded maps and a backup route plan | Cell coverage may be unreliable in mountain terrain |
| Does everyone have the right paperwork? | Registration, permits, and required education documents | Requirements can depend on the rider and machine |
Getting ready for a La Sal ride
Pack for mountain weather and a longer day
Do not pack only for the temperature in Moab. Bring layers that can handle cool air, wind, and a sudden change in weather, along with sun protection for exposed sections. A light rain layer can make a meaningful difference if clouds build while you are away from town. Keep essential items secured against dust and moisture.
Water, food, and basic emergency supplies matter even on a day ride. Carry more drinking water than you expect to need, and make sure it is accessible while stopped. A first-aid kit, headlamp, basic tools, tire-repair supplies, and a way to communicate in a dead zone can help your group respond to a delay or minor problem. For a practical packing checklist, see [What to Carry on a Utah Day Ride] and [Water to Pack for a Summer Utah Ride].
Before leaving, inspect the machine and its load. Check tires, brakes, lights, fuel, and any straps or cargo that could loosen on rough ground. Confirm that passengers have appropriate protective gear and know how to stay seated and secured. If you are new to planning for remote terrain, [Recovery Gear for Utah Sand and Slickrock] covers equipment considerations that also help you think through what your group can safely manage if a machine becomes stuck or disabled.
Plan navigation, paperwork, and group communication
Download the route and relevant maps before you leave an area with reliable service. If you use onX Offroad, save the route for offline reference and compare it with the official land-management map. Keep a separate backup, such as a paper map or a second device, and make sure someone besides the lead driver can follow the route. A phone with a map open is not a complete navigation plan if its battery is low or its signal disappears.
Confirm that each machine has the required registration or permit for the type of riding planned, and check the rules that apply to your riders. Visitors bringing machines from outside Utah should review [Utah's Non-Resident OHV Permit Explained] and [What Utah Riders Must Carry on Public Land]. Youth riders may have additional education or supervision requirements, so check those before the trip rather than trying to sort them out at the trailhead.
Set simple group rules before you start: who leads, who follows, what to do if the group gets separated, and where to stop at junctions. Keep a steady pace that allows the group to stay together without pressuring less-experienced drivers. At a blind bend or narrow section, slow down and be ready for other trail users. Give people and animals space, avoid disturbing vegetation, and stay on the designated route.
A practical day plan from Moab
Start with a realistic schedule
Begin by checking the route and weather, then choose a departure time that leaves room for a slower-than-expected ride. Allow time to reach the trail area, unload, check paperwork, and review the route with the group. Do not count the whole day as riding time; mountain roads, stops, and changing conditions can stretch a plan.
At each major junction, confirm your position rather than assuming the route follows the most obvious track. Pause somewhere safe to check the map, let the group regroup, and reassess the weather and everyone’s energy. If the clouds are building, a passenger is uncomfortable, or the surface is becoming difficult, shorten the ride. A successful day can be a shorter ride that ends safely and leaves everyone wanting to come back.
Keep a backup option closer to your starting point or choose a route with an easy turnaround. The best alternative is one you have already checked for access and suitability, not an unverified road you notice while riding. If your plan involves multiple areas or a long drive between trailheads, consult [Utah OHV Trail Maps and How to Read Them] before committing to the day’s route.
Respect the landscape and other users
The La Sals are not simply a cooler version of the desert trails. Forest roads may be shared with passenger vehicles, cyclists, hikers, equestrians, and other motorized users. Slow down when sightlines are short, avoid spraying dust or gravel at others, and pull over only where it is safe to do so. Keep noise under control and follow posted speed and access rules.
Stay on the designated route. Driving around a muddy patch, making a new track through a meadow, or taking an unmarked shortcut can damage fragile ground and create access problems for everyone. Do not block gates, trailheads, or narrow road sections when stopping. Pack out trash and leave the area as you found it.
A La Sal ride can pair well with a wider Moab trip, but it is worth planning the mountain day on its own terms. Conditions, route access, and elevation deserve attention even if you have ridden in the region before. Keep your map current, use onX Offroad only as one navigation aid among others, and be willing to change plans when the mountain says it is time.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
