Paiute ATV Trail facts for kids

The Paiute ATV Trail is a super fun place in Central Utah where you can ride all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). ATVs are like small, open vehicles designed for off-road adventures. This trail system is looked after by the Fishlake National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management.

The Paiute Trail has over 2000 miles of main and side trails. The main loop is about 240 miles long. It goes through four counties in Utah: Piute County, Beaver County, Sevier County, and Millard County.

You can start your adventure from many towns along the trail. These include Marysvale, Circleville, Junction, Koosharem, Antimony, Angle, Monroe, Richfield, Joseph, Aurora, Salina, Annabella, Elsinore, Fillmore, and Kanosh. Many of these towns let you ride your ATV on their streets. The State of Utah even allows street-legal ATVs on highways now. You can also start from the Fremont Indian State Park and Museum.

A group called the Paiute ATV Trail Committee helps manage the trail. This group is made up of local people, business owners, and government officials. They work together to raise money and keep the trail system great for everyone.

Exploring the Paiute ATV Trail

The Paiute Trail system was made by connecting old roads and trails. These trails cross the Fishlake National Forest and other public lands. Some new sections were built to connect everything into one big loop.

The main trail loop is 238 miles long. There are also over 2000 miles of marked side trails. These trails are open to ATVs and other fun off-road vehicles. Many parts of the Paiute Trail are open to larger Side-by-Side vehicles. However, some trails are narrower and only allow vehicles up to 50 inches wide.

Animals You Might See

While riding, you might spot many cool animals! Keep an eye out for mule deer and elk. You might also see bears, mountain goats, and cougars. Smaller animals like coyotes, rabbits, and porcupines are common.

Look to the sky for hawks, eagles, and owls. On the ground, you could see sage grouse, pine hen, and pheasants. If you are lucky, you might even spot a wild turkey or a bobcat. Remember to always keep a safe distance from wildlife.

How Long Does It Take?

Riding the main loop of the trail takes about 25 hours. But with over 2000 miles of side trails, you could spend weeks exploring! There is so much to see and do on the Paiute Trail.

Best Time to Ride

Some parts of the Paiute Trail close during certain seasons. Riding usually starts in April in the lower areas. The highest parts of the trail stay closed until mid-July because of snow.

Spring riding is fun in the lower areas. But deep snowdrifts usually block the trails over the Tushar Mountains and the Pavant Range. These higher trails usually open in mid-to-late July.

September and October are some of the best months to ride. The days are cool and crisp, and the nights are chilly. The trees turn beautiful colors, and there is not much rain. August is also good for the high mountains, but the lower trails can be hot. After October, big storms might close the upper trails again.

Weather on the Trail

The Paiute Trail is very big and goes through many different areas. This means the weather can change a lot, even in just a few hours. You might find temperatures over 100°F in the valleys. At the same time, there could be snow on the trails in the higher mountains.

Rain storms can pop up very quickly. The mountain ranges can make it hard to see them coming. Riders should always bring clothes for all kinds of weather. Be ready for anything from hot sun to cold rain or even snow!

Getting Gas

You can find gasoline in most of the towns along the trail. Some smaller places might have fewer choices. For example, Koosharem only has 83 octane gasoline.

It's a good idea to carry extra fuel with you. Some parts of the trail are very long, and you might run out of gas. Also, when you climb high mountains, your vehicle uses more fuel than usual. The trail can gain 6,000 feet or more in elevation very quickly.

Fun Events

The Paiute ATV Trail hosts three big ATV and SideXSide events each year. These are called Jamborees!

• The Fillmore National ATV Jamboree happens every June. About 500 riders can choose from 14 different trail rides.
• The Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree is held in September. It offers over 70 guided trail rides for about 650 riders.
• The Paiute Trail UTV Jamboree takes place in the second week of August. Around 600 riders enjoy about 20 guided rides.

Finding Maps

There are several ways to find maps of the Paiute Trail:

• The Marysvale.org website has a basic map.
• National Geographic offers Map 708.
• The Paiute Trail committee sells a map book with over 60 pages.
• You can get free official National Forest Service maps.

High Places and Your Health

The valleys along the trail can be as low as 4,000 feet. But much of the trail system is at 10,000 feet or even higher. Being at such high altitudes can sometimes cause altitude sickness. This happens when your body isn't used to less oxygen in the air.

Also, motor vehicles lose power when they are at higher altitudes. If your vehicle tends to have problems with vapor lock, it might be more affected in the mountains. Always be prepared for the changes that come with high elevations.