Paiute ATV Trail — Fremont Indian Country to Fish Lake Plateau
900-mile Utah plateau country above 10k feet.
The Paiute ATV Trail is no weekend jaunt — it’s a 900-mile system sprawling across the high plateaus of south-central Utah, but the spine route connecting Fremont Indian State Park near Sevier to the Fish Lake Plateau is the soul of it. You’ll pass the ruins of Koosharem settlements, drop into Monroe Mountain meadows where elk outnumber humans, and crest Mytoge Mountain ridge with unobstructed views of the Sevier Valley floor 4,000 feet below. The route is well-signed but don’t let that fool you — route-finding still requires a proper topo, and the Forest Service roads that make up the corridor vary wildly from groomed gravel to loose shale ledges that will punish sloppy driving.
This is moderate overlanding terrain on paper, but the altitude changes everything. You’re running between 7,500 and 10,800 feet for most of the route, which means afternoon thunderstorms in summer hit hard and fast. A high-clearance 4WD with a locking differential handles it fine, but soft recovery gear is smart — mud after rain turns the plateau roads greasy. No permits required. Fuel in Richfield or Loa before you commit. July through September is your window; the plateau gets buried October onward. Dispersed camping throughout the Fishlake National Forest sections.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109.4 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10800 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Richfield, UT |
| Land manager | Fishlake National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is the minimum you want here. Lifted rigs with skid plates are more comfortable, but the trail is moderate — not extreme — so factory clearance gets the job done if you're not pushing off-route.
When does this section of the Paiute Trail actually open each year?
July through September is the reliable window. At 10,800 feet max elevation, snow can close sections well into June and return by October. Check current conditions with Fishlake National Forest before committing — early-season snow or late monsoon mud can shut it down fast.
Do you need a permit or OHV registration to run this trail?
Utah requires all OHVs to be registered with the state. There are no trail-specific permits for this segment, but you're in Fishlake National Forest, so standard dispersed camping rules apply — no fee, but follow Leave No Trace and any posted fire restrictions.
What's the hardest section between Fremont Indian Country and Fish Lake Plateau?
The steeper climbs approaching Fish Lake Plateau are where the trail gets serious — loose rock, exposed ledges, and 3,800 feet of cumulative gain over 68 miles. Nothing technically extreme, but sustained elevation and rutted two-track in wet conditions will test undercarriage clearance and driver focus.
How far is the nearest gas from the trail, and is there reliable water along the route?
Richfield is your last reliable fuel stop before heading out — top off there. There are water crossings on the route, but treat or filter everything before drinking; high-altitude cattle grazing in the area makes any natural source suspect. Carry a minimum 5-gallon reserve given the 2-3 day duration and zero cell service throughout.
Trail track
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