Lolo's Extreme Cross Country RV Trips

20+ summers of RV road trip travels across the USA and Canada
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Off Roading Activities

Showing 61 off roading activities logged during our motorhome cross-country adventures.

Off Roading

Deer Creek., Saint Johns

12.2-mile, intermediate level off-road trail with stunning scenery, historic buildings, and lots of jeeping excitement. Great chance of viewing mountain goats. Beginning in the town of Montezuma, the trail climbs steeply to an elevation of 12,500 feet.

Logged at stop: Breckenridge (2011 Cross Country Road Trip)
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Off Roading

Keystone Gulch

7.6 -mile (one way) relatively easy trail that follows a gulch along the west side of Keystone Ski Area, past beaver ponds, and up to a photogenic mine above the ski area

Logged at stop: Breckenridge (2011 Cross Country Road Trip)
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Off Roading

Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge

Seven miles of beach from Wasque Point on the south, past the Cape Poge Lighthouse, to Cape Poge Gut. An annual over-sand vehicle permit is required, which at the time of this writing was $80 for TTOR members and $200 for non-member, non-island residents

Logged at stop: Chappaquiddick (2008 Martha's Vineyard RV Vacation)
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Off Roading

Fonts Point

7.8-mile (RT) drive on a relatively easy, but very sandy road, with a big reward at the end – spectacular view of the Borrego Badlands, the Salton Sea, and the Fish Creek Mountains in the distance

Logged at stop: Anza-Borrego State Park (2017 Southern California Deserts)
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Off Roading

Fish Creek Wash

25-mile (RT) drive on a 4WD sandy road to Sandstone Canyon. Interesting stops along the way include: the anticlines on the canyon walls, the short hike to the Split Mountain Wind Caves, Layer Cake Rock, and Sandstone Canyon.

Logged at stop: Anza-Borrego State Park (2017 Southern California Deserts)
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Off Roading

17 Palms Oasis

7.6-mile (RT) drive on a good dirt road to a beautiful palm oasis, which stood in stark contrast to the stark and barren desert around it. Besides being a source of water for inhabitants and travelers past, this particular oasis is also very important to the wildlife in Anza-Borrego, because it is the only year-round watering hole for many miles.

Logged at stop: Anza-Borrego State Park (2017 Southern California Deserts)
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Off Roading

Pinyon /Nolina Canyon

Short drive along a manageable wash off of Route 78.

Logged at stop: Anza-Borrego State Park (2017 Southern California Deserts)
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Off Roading

Oriflamme Canyon

Aborted 4WD trip into a canyon off of S2 near Blair Valley. Large rock and steep ascents caused us to wisely turn back after about 2 miles of risking the bottom of our Subaru.

Logged at stop: Anza-Borrego State Park (2017 Southern California Deserts)
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Off Roading

Geology Tour Road

18-mile dirt road through some of the park’s most distinctive geological formations. There are 16 stops along the way, so allow approximately 2 hours for the round trip. RVs are not allowed, but two-wheel vehicles may go as far as Squaw Tank, stop #9. After that point, only 4-wheel drive vehicles are advised.

Logged at stop: Joshua Tree National Park (2017 Southern California Deserts)
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Off Roading

Covington Flats to Eureka Peak

25-mile dirt road past some of the park's largest and oldest Joshua Trees to a tremendous view atop 5,518-foot Eureka Peak.

Logged at stop: Joshua Tree National Park (2017 Southern California Deserts)
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Off Roading

Eureka Dunes

40-mile drive, the first 30 of which are on the well-maintained Death Valley / Big Pine Road and the last 10 along the sandy South Eureka Road. It ends at the Eureka Dunes primitive campground at the base of the dunes.

Logged at stop: Death Valley - Eureka Dunes (2017 Death Valley and Eastern Sierra 4WD)
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Off Roading

Saline Valley Road

Rough 40-mile drive from the Big Pine / Death Valley Road to the Saline Valley Warms Springs. 32.7 of the miles are along the Saline Valley Road and the last 7.3 are on the rougher Warm Springs Road. The end destination is a palm oasis paradise.

Logged at stop: Death Valley - Saline Valley Warm Springs (2017 Death Valley and Eastern Sierra 4WD)
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Off Roading

Masonic Road to Bodie

Rather than taking 395 south to the the paved 270 into Bodie, we headed north and turned onto Masonic Road. From here, we spent the next 32 miles driving up and down the rolling Bodie Hills, past old ghost towns and abandoned mines, with sweeping views of the Sierra and the Sweetwater Mountains all along the way. It was breathtaking.

Logged at stop: Bodie State Historic Park (2017 4WD Eastern Sierra and Death Valley Adventure)
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Off Roading

Cottonwood Canyon Road

11-mile drive along a 4WD road from Bodie to the northern shore of Mono Lake

Logged at stop: Long Valley Primitive Hot Springs (2017 4WD Eastern Sierra and Death Valley Adventure)
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Off Roading

Coyote Flat

Intermediate 15-mile (each way) 4WD trail that climbs out of the Owens Valley, at about 4,400 feet, through a series of switchbacks to Coyote Flat, a gorgeous plateau at 10,000 feet, with grazing deer and awesome views of the Palisade Glacier. Since the road is quite steep and rough, our speed averaged about 8 mph.

Logged at stop: Bishop - Coyote Flat (2017 4WD Eastern Sierra and Death Valley Adventure)
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Off Roading

Racetrack Road

27 miles from just past Ubehebe Crater along a rough dirt road to the remote and famous Death Valley Racetrack, where rocks mysteriously move across the dry lakebed on their own accord.

Logged at stop: Death Valley - The Racetrack (2017 4WD Eastern Sierra and Death Valley Adventure)
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Off Roading

Racetrack to Saline Valley Warm Springs

70-mile 4WD from the Racetrack to Hidden Valley Road, up over Hunter Mountain and down to the Saline Valley Road, and then up to the springs. We also took a side trip to explore the old, abandoned Goldbelt mining camp.

Logged at stop: Death Valley - Saline Valley Warm Springs (2017 4WD Eastern Sierra and Death Valley Adventure)
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Off Roading

Saline Valley Road

Rough 40-mile drive from the Saline Valley Warm springs back out to the paved Big Pine / Death Valley Road

Logged at stop: Big Pine (2017 4WD Eastern Sierra and Death Valley Adventure)
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Off Roading

Mojave Road

116-mile drive (east to west) across the Mojave National Preserve on bumpy and rocky dirt roads. There is much history to explore along the way. The Mojave Road was originally an Indian trade route, as the locations of watering holes situated about every 20 to 30 miles made for safe passage through this barren and harsh landscape. Later it served as a supply and U.S. route in the 1860s and 1870s.

Logged at stop: Mojave Road - Colorado River (mile 0.0) to Fort Piute (mile 23.7) (2018 Mojave Road & Indian Wells)
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Off Roading

Crowley Lake Columns

18-miles each way from the Hot Creek Geothermal Area along some asphalt and dirt roads towards the parking lot for the Crowley Lake Columns. Had to stop before a very steep hill with big gullies to hike the remaining 1.7 miles.

Logged at stop: Mammoth Lakes (2018 Eastern Sierra with Outlaws)
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Off Roading

San Quintin

Along the hard sand beach by the Hotel Santa Maria San Quintin

Logged at stop: Border Crossing and San Quintin (2019 Baja Adventure)
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Off Roading

Racetrack Road

27 miles from just past Ubehebe Crater along a rough dirt road to the remote and famous Death Valley Racetrack, where rocks mysteriously move across the dry lakebed on their own accord.

Logged at stop: Death Valley National Park (2019 Superbloom)
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Off Roading

Narrows and Papoose Flat

25.5-mile, 3.5 hour drive along a beautiful 4WD dirt road loop (rated Easy) through narrow canyons and up to Papoose Flat, a unique and otherworldly landscape with granite spires somewhat randomly strewn throughout the desert scrub.

Logged at stop: The Narrows and Papoose Flat 4WD Road (2019 Fall Trip to the Eastern Sierra)
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Off Roading

Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area

Along the 5.5 mile stretch of the southern end of Pismo Beach that allows off-highway dune buggies to play in the huge sand dune complex.

Logged at stop: Pismo Beach (2021 California Surf and Turf)
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Off Roading

Coyote and Sheep Canyon

28-mile round trip through Coyote and Sheep Canyons along a rough 4WD road

Logged at stop: Anza-Borrego State Park (2021 California Surf and Turf)
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Off Roading

Fish Creek and Olla Wash

25-mile (RT) drive on a 4WD sandy road to Olla Canyon. Interesting stops along the way include: the anticlines on the canyon walls, the short hike to the Split Mountain Wind Caves, Layer Cake Rock, and the Mud Palisades

Logged at stop: Anza-Borrego State Park (2021 California Surf and Turf)
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Off Roading

The Narrows and Papoose Flat 4WD Road

25.5-mile, 3.5 hour drive along a beautiful 4WD dirt road loop (rated Easy) through narrow canyons and up to Papoose Flat, a unique and otherworldly landscape with granite spires somewhat randomly strewn throughout the desert scrub.

Logged at stop: The Narrows and Papoose Flat 4WD Road (2021 California Surf and Turf)
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Off Roading

Harry Wade Road

35-miles along a bumpy 4WD dirt road from Highway 127 to Badwater Road, with spur trips to Saratoga Springs and Ibex Dunes

Logged at stop: Death Valley National Park (2021 California Surf and Turf)
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Off Roading

Buttermilks and Sierra Foothills

About 25 miles of off-road motorcycling along the beautiful dirt roads of Bishop

Logged at stop: Bishop (2021 California Surf and Turf)
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Off Roading

Warm Springs

Long, bumpy and sandy 4WD from Warm Springs Road in Bishop to the actual warm springs in Big Pine where the Owens Valley pupfish reside

Logged at stop: Bishop (2021 California Surf and Turf)
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Off Roading

Buttermilks and Sierra Foothills

About 25 miles of off-road motorcycling along the beautiful dirt roads of Bishop

Logged at stop: Bishop (2020 Eastern Sierra During Covid)
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Off Roading

Silver Canyon

11.4-mile, High Clearance 4WD road that starts in Bishop and climbs from 4,200 feet to 10,400 feet up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Along the way there are tremendous views out over the Owens Valley and the Sierra.

Logged at stop: Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (2020 Eastern Sierra During Covid)
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Off Roading

Wyman Creek Road

25-mile 4WD Road from the White Mountain Road in the Ancient Bristlecones (elevation 10,500 feet) down through Wyman Canyon to Route 168 (elevation 5,200 feet) along an old mining and pole line road. There are several creek crossings along the way.

Logged at stop: Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (2020 Eastern Sierra During Covid)
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Off Roading

Shafer Trail Switchbacks / Potash Road

39-mile bumpy dirt road which starts near the Canyonlands Visitor Center, goes down the steep, twisty Shafer Switchbacks to the Colorado River, and along the Potash Road to Moab with many scenic views along the way.

Logged at stop: Moab (2021 Utah Off-Roading)
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Off Roading

Onion Creek Canyon

18-mile, out-and-back drive, crossing and recrossing the shallow creek about two dozen times, driving through the narrow canyon surrounded by red sandstone walls and tall spires, and out of the narrows to a lovely valley, the same one that we had looked out on from the end of our Fisher Towers hike.

Logged at stop: Moab (2021 Utah Off-Roading)
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Off Roading

White Rim Trail - Day 1

37 miles - down Shafer Trail Switchbacks, Side Trip to Lathrop Canyon, and on to Gooseberry A Campground for the night

Logged at stop: White Rim Trail (Canyonlands National Park) (2021 Utah Off-Roading)
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Off Roading

White Rim Trail - Day 2

20 miles - from Gooseberry A Campground, to Monument Basin, side trip to White Crack Camp, up Murphy Hogback, and on to Murphy B Campground for the night

Logged at stop: White Rim Trail (Canyonlands National Park) (2021 Utah Off-Roading)
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Off Roading

White Rim Trail - Day 3

49 miles - from Murphy Camp, down Murphy Hogback, to Black Crack, Holeman Slot, Hardscrabble Hill, Mineral Bottom Switchbacks, and back to civilization

Logged at stop: White Rim Trail (Canyonlands National Park) (2021 Utah Off-Roading)
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Off Roading

Cathedral Valley Loop

59-mile driving tour through the northern part of Capitol Reef National Park and BLM lands, featuring stark landscapes, the Waterpocket Fold, and towering monoliths.

Logged at stop: Cathedral Valley Loop (Capitol Reef National Park) (2021 Utah Off-Roading)
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Off Roading

Notom Bullfrog Road

Well-graded 70-mile dirt road that runs south through the lovely Strike Valley along the eastern boundary of Capitol Reef National Park, between the Henry Mountains and the Waterpocket Fold, all the way to the Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell. We would only be going as far as the turnoff for the Burr Trail switchbacks.

Logged at stop: Notom Bullfrog Road, Upper Muley Twist, and the Burr Trail (2021 Utah Off-Roading)
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Off Roading

Burr Trail

Beautiful 40-mile highly scenic drive from the Notom Bullfrog Road, up the Burr Trail Switchbacks, with a side trip to the Strike Valley Overlook, and on to Boulder, passing through lovely Long Canyon. The first part of the road, which is in Capitol Reef National Park is unpaved, but the rest is a smooth asphalt.

Logged at stop: Notom Bullfrog Road, Upper Muley Twist, and the Burr Trail (2021 Utah Off-Roading)
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Off Roading

Cottonwood Canyon Road

46-mile highly scenic drive along a dirt road from Escalante through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to Kanab.

Logged at stop: Cottonwood Canyon Road, Wahweap Hoodoos, and Old Paria (2021 Utah Off-Roading)
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Off Roading

Titus Canyon

27-mile 4WD drive from Beatty through Titus Canyon, a deep narrow gorge cut into the steep face of the Grapevine Mountains, twisting sharply around steep colorful rock walls. The most exciting part is near the end (mile 23.5), where the canyon narrows so much that you can practically reach your hands out your windows and touch both walls.

Logged at stop: Death Valley National Park (2021 Death Valley in Fall)
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Off Roading

Fonts Point

7.8-mile (RT) drive on a relatively easy, but very sandy road, with a big reward at the end – spectacular view of the Borrego Badlands, the Salton Sea, and the Fish Creek Mountains in the distance

Logged at stop: Anza-Borrego State Park (2022 San Diego, Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree)
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Off Roading

From Highway 78 to S22

50-mile trip along 4WD roads through Hawk Canyon, Hills of the Moon Badlands, Pumpkin Patch, 5 Palms Oasis, 17 Palms Oasis, and Vista del Malpais

Logged at stop: Anza-Borrego State Park (2022 San Diego, Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree)
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Off Roading

Calcite Mine Road

6-mile steep, rough 4WD-Road up to the Calcite Slot Canyon and the Calcite Mine with a side trip on the way back up the South Fork Palm Wash to another slot canyon

Logged at stop: Anza-Borrego State Park (2022 San Diego, Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree)
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Off Roading

North Algodones Dunes Wilderness area

40 miles on a very bumpy dirt road running along the east side of the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness area, but unfortunately with no access to it. Eventually we got back to asphalt on the eastern side of the Salton Sea

Logged at stop: Salton Sea Area (2022 San Diego, Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree)
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Off Roading

Covington Flats to Eureka Peak

25-mile dirt road past some of the park's largest and oldest Joshua Trees to a tremendous view atop 5,518-foot Eureka Peak.

Logged at stop: Joshua Tree National Park (2022 San Diego, Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree)
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Off Roading

Saline Valley Road

Rough 40-mile drive from the Big Pine / Death Valley Road to the Saline Valley Warms Springs. 32.7 of the miles are along the Saline Valley Road and the last 7.3 are on the rougher Warm Springs Road. The end destination is a palm oasis paradise.

Logged at stop: Death Valley (2022 Bishop and Death Valley)
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Off Roading

Saline Valley Warm Springs to Hidden Valley

60-mile 4WD from the Saline Valley Warm Springs to Hidden Valley past the Saline Valley Sand Dunes, Salt Lake, and South Pass, to Hidden Valley

Logged at stop: Death Valley (2022 Bishop and Death Valley)
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Off Roading

Hidden Valley to Ubehebe Crater

26-mile 4WD from Hidden Valley past Teakettle Junction to Ubehebe Crater (back to asphalt)

Logged at stop: Death Valley (2022 Bishop and Death Valley)
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Off Roading

Saline Valley Road

Rough 40-mile drive from the Big Pine / Death Valley Road to the Saline Valley Warms Springs. 32.7 of the miles are along the Saline Valley Road and the last 7.3 are on the rougher Warm Springs Road. The end destination is a palm oasis paradise.

Logged at stop: Death Valley (2020 Bishop and Death Valley)
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Off Roading

Saline Valley Warm Springs to Eureka Dunes

75-mile, 4-hour drive from the Saline Valley Warm Springs north on Saline Valley Road to Big Pine Road, then east on the Big Pine Road for 25 miles, and another 10 miles on the South Eureka Road to the Eureka Dunes

Logged at stop: Death Valley (2020 Bishop and Death Valley)
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Off Roading

King Peak Road

Steep, twisty 4WD 18-mile bumpy dirt road which took us from Shelter Cove, up and over the King Range towards Honeydew. We took a side trip along Saddle Mountain Road for great vistas of the Pacific Ocean in one direction and King’s Peak in the other. Eventually we reached the paved Wilder Ridge Road, which took us to Mattole Road in the little town of Honeydew.

Logged at stop: The Lost Coast (2023 Lost Coast)
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Off Roading

Mars Desert Research Station

22-miles out and back from Highway 24 along the Cow Dung Road to the Mars Desert Research Center and then onto the Painted Hills and back

Logged at stop: Mars Desert Research Station (2023 Utah Off-Road)
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Off Roading

Long Dong Silver

From Highway 24, 4 miles on Coal Mine Road (also called Factory Butte Road), then a right Factory Bench Road for an other 2 miles before another right.

Logged at stop: Long Dong Silver (the Lone Spire) (2023 Utah Off-Road)
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Off Roading

Factory Butte

30-mile drive around the entire Butte, photographing it from every angle

Logged at stop: Factory Butte (2023 Utah Off-Road)
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Off Roading

Cathedral Valley Loop

60-miles (out-and-back) from Caineville to Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon, the Upper Cathedral Valley lookouts, and the Upper Cathedral Valley Campground with awesome scenery along the entire way.

Logged at stop: Cathedral Valley (2023 Utah Off-Road)
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Off Roading

Badlands Off-Road Adventures course

The mission of this 2-day course was to provide training clinics in which inexperienced SUV & 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) owners gain expertise required to safely and confidently negotiate their vehicle off-road. There was a half-day of classroom material and then another day and a half of practicing our techinical skllls at the Jawbone Canyon OHV area and El Paso Mountain area

Logged at stop: Mojave (2024 Mojave 4WD Course and more)
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Off Roading

Coral Pink Sand Dunes

Playing a bit driving on the deep-sand in the non-OHV area north of the state park.

Logged at stop: Coral Pink Sand Dunes (2025 Utah Off-Roading)
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Off Roading

Mars Desert Research Station

4-mile drive from Highway 24 along the Cow Dung Road to the Mars Desert Research Center

Logged at stop: Mars Desert Research Station, Factory Butte, and Moonscape Overlook (2025 Utah Off-Roading)
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