Sand Hollow Trails Ranked by Difficulty

We see what breaks at Sand Hollow. A difficulty ranking for each trail, and what your rig needs before you attempt it.

Sand Hollow State Park is the reason a lot of customers move to Southern Utah. It is also where much of the damage we repair comes from. Every trail in the park has a different character and a specific way it damages underprepared vehicles. This guide ranks the most-asked-about trails by difficulty, from "your stock Jeep is fine" to "you need lockers, beadlocks, and a spotter."

One note before we start: ratings are subjective. A trail that's easy in a long-wheelbase Bronco can be much harder in a short-wheelbase Wrangler, and the same trail in winter mud is a different trail than in dry summer sand. Use this as a starting point.

Beginner: stock vehicles welcome

Sand Dunes (open riding area)

The wide-open dune area on the west side of the reservoir. Any 4WD UTV with paddle tires can run here. The biggest risk is overheating — sand takes more horsepower than dirt and CVT belts overheat quickly in summer. Carry a spare belt and a way to clean sand out of the airbox.

Sand Mountain (perimeter loop)

The outer-edge dirt road around Sand Mountain. Stock 4WD trucks and SUVs handle it without trouble. Pretty drive, good intro to the area.

Intermediate: 33s, all-terrains, and a spotter

West Rim Trail

Slickrock with a few ledge sections. Most stock Wranglers, Broncos, and 4Runners on a good all-terrain tire will make it. Watch tire placement on the ledges — this is where we see the most pinch flats. Lower your air pressure to 18–20 psi.

Milt's Mile

A series of medium ledges that test articulation more than ground clearance. A solid-axle rig with sway bar disconnects has a real advantage here. IFS rigs (Broncos, Tacomas) can do it but flex less and pick lines more carefully.

Advanced: lockers and 35s strongly recommended

Top of the World

The classic Sand Hollow trail. Big slickrock climbs, off-camber sections, and the famous overlook. You'll want a rear locker minimum, 35s, and bumpers that can take a hit. We see broken track bars, bent tie rods, and torn CV boots from this trail every season — usually from people who attempted it on 33s and got hung up.

Double Sammy

Two ledge climbs back-to-back. Front and rear lockers are basically required. A winch is smart. This is where short-wheelbase Wranglers shine and long-wheelbase trucks suffer.

Expert: dedicated builds only

Chocolate Falls

Steep, technical slickrock with committing lines. 37s, dual lockers, and skid plates are the minimum. This is not a trail for a daily driver. When something breaks here, recovery is slow and difficult.

The Maze / Spencer's Trail

Tight rock crawling where body damage is likely. This trail is for dedicated builds only. Sliders, armor, and at least one spotter on the ground are required.

What we see break most often, by trail

Sand Dunes: CVT belts, blown axle boots, melted clutches
West Rim / Milt's Mile: Pinch flats, bent steering linkages
Top of the World: Track bars, tie rods, bent rims
Double Sammy: Broken U-joints, snapped axle shafts
Chocolate Falls: Body damage, broken steering boxes, transfer case mounts

How we help you prep

Before you commit to a trail above your rig's capability, get a pre-trip inspection. We check ball joints, tie rod ends, track bars, U-joints, CV boots, and tire condition — the parts most likely to fail on the trail, far from help. Book a Sand Hollow prep inspection and we will tell you what your rig is set up for and what it is not.

For UTVs, our UTV service team handles shock rebuilds, clutch tuning, and gear reduction — the work that sets up a stock RZR or X3 for Sand Hollow. For Jeeps, see our Jeep service page for lift, lockers, and recovery setup options.

Related Services from MST Motorsports

MST Motorsports — 987 S 1900 East, Washington, UT 84780. Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Call (435) 256-8899 · Text us · Book online.