Markagunt Trial System
🏔️ Markagunt ATV & UTV Trail System
🛞 More Than 500 Miles of Trails & Backroads
The Markagunt Trail System is an extensive network of designated OHV trails, Forest Service roads and backcountry routes stretching across the Markagunt Plateau and surrounding areas of Southern Utah.
With more than 500 miles of interconnected routes, the system provides access to mountain forests, high-elevation meadows, volcanic landscapes, red-rock overlooks, lakes, caves and many of the scenic destinations surrounding Duck Creek Village.
Rather than being a single trail, the Markagunt is a network of routes that can be combined for everything from a short ride outside the village to an all-day trip across the plateau.
📍 Duck Creek Village – A Great Place to Start
Duck Creek Village sits within the southern portion of the Markagunt Trail System and provides direct access to numerous trails and Forest Service roads.
From the village, riders can reach destinations including Strawberry Point, Lars Fork, Mammoth Cave, Assay Knoll and Navajo Lake, along with many other areas, without having to trailer their machines from one destination to another.
Other communities providing access to portions of the Markagunt system include Panguitch, Hatch and Parowan.
Duck Creek is especially convenient as a base because lodging, restaurants, fuel, groceries, OHV rentals and other supplies are available in or near the village.
🪧 Understanding the Markagunt Trail System
One of the most confusing things for first-time visitors is that the Markagunt Trail System is made up of several different types of routes.
A route may be identified by a Markagunt trail number, Forest Service road number or local/county road name. In some cases, you may see more than one designation used for the same general route.
Examples:
Strawberry Ridge
Markagunt Trail #61
Forest Service Road 239
Kane County Strawberry Ridge Road
Mammoth Cave / Uintah Flat Area
Markagunt Trail #46
Forest Service Road 064
Kane County Uintah Flat Road
This is one reason the number shown on a trail marker may not always match the road number or road name shown on another map or navigation app.
🔢 Trail Markers
On the official Markagunt system, numbered fiberglass markers help identify designated routes.
1- or 2-digit numbers generally identify Markagunt OHV trails and include directional arrows at trail junctions.
3- or 4-digit numbers identify Forest Service roads open to motorized travel.
The system also includes different route classifications, including open Forest Service roads, 4x4 OHV routes, OHV-only trails and routes restricted to vehicles 72 inches wide or less.
⚠️ Always check the designation for the individual route rather than assuming every trail is open to every type or size of vehicle.
🪨 What Are the Trails Like?
There isn't one description that fits the entire Markagunt system.
Some routes are maintained dirt or gravel Forest Service roads suitable for relatively easy travel. Others are narrower OHV trails with rocks, ruts, steep grades, loose surfaces or other obstacles.
Elevation, weather, snowmelt, fallen trees and recent storms can dramatically change trail conditions.
A route that is easy and dry in August may be muddy, snow-covered or completely inaccessible earlier in the season.
⚠️ Choose routes based on your vehicle, experience level and current conditions rather than assuming every trail shown on the system map will have similar conditions.
🗺️ Where Can You Go?
The Markagunt system connects many of the places people come to Duck Creek to see.
Popular destinations accessible through or near the trail network include:
📍 Strawberry Point
📍 Lars Fork
📍 Mammoth Cave
📍 Assay Knoll
💧 Navajo Lake
💧 Aspen Mirror Lake
💦 Cascade Falls
🌋 Lava Flows
🎣 Panguitch Lake
🌲 Mammoth Creek
...along with numerous overlooks, forest roads and backcountry areas throughout the plateau.
Many of these destinations have their own guides in our Things to See & Do section with directions, access information, seasonal considerations and things to know before you go.
🔗 Connections Beyond the Markagunt
The Markagunt Trail System isn't an isolated trail network.
Through a larger network of designated trails, Forest Service roads and other OHV-accessible routes, riders can connect with the:
🛞 Fremont Trail
🛞 Great Western Trail
🛞 Paiute Trail System
🛞 Arapeen Trail System
Together, these interconnected trail systems provide access to hundreds of additional miles of riding throughout Southern and Central Utah.
There are numerous ways to travel between the different trail systems, and routes can vary depending on your starting point, destination, vehicle and current trail conditions.
⚠️ Rather than relying on a single suggested route, riders planning longer trips should use current maps for each trail system and verify route designations, restrictions and closures before heading out.
🗺️ Maps Are Important
📵 Cell service can be limited or nonexistent in many areas of the Markagunt Plateau.
The Forest Service publishes an official Markagunt OHV System Map showing designated trails, Forest Service roads, route classifications and major destinations.
The Forest Service also recommends consulting the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). The MVUM is the official source showing which Forest Service roads and trails are designated for motorized use, vehicle restrictions and seasonal limitations.
📲 Download your maps before leaving Duck Creek and carry an offline map whenever traveling into the backcountry.
[LINK: Explore Duck Creek Trail Maps]
❄️ Seasonal Access
The Markagunt Plateau is high-elevation mountain country, and snow has a major effect on the riding season.
Many higher-elevation routes can remain snow-covered well into spring or early summer, while early fall or winter storms can close access again with very little warning.
Road and trail conditions can also change because of:
🌧️ Heavy rain
❄️ Snow and snowmelt
🌲 Fallen trees
🔥 Wildfire
🚧 Construction or maintenance
🌪️ Other natural or temporary conditions
⚠️ Never drive around a closed gate or travel on a route posted as closed.
⛽ Fuel, Food & Supplies
Duck Creek Village makes a convenient stopping point before or during a ride.
⛽ Fuel
🍔 Food & restaurants
🛒 Groceries & basic supplies
🛞 OHV rentals
🗺️ Trail maps & local riding information
are available in or near the village.
Mountain Life Off-Road offers ATV/UTV rentals, riding information and trail maps.
⛽ Because distances can become much greater than expected when connecting multiple trails, start with enough fuel for your planned route and leave yourself a reasonable reserve.
⚠️ Before You Ride
✓ Stay on designated motorized routes.
✓ Obey posted signs, gates and seasonal closures.
✓ Carry plenty of water.
✓ Bring appropriate clothing for changing mountain weather.
✓ Carry a map or offline navigation.
✓ Bring basic emergency supplies.
✓ Know the restrictions for your specific vehicle and route.
📵 Do not rely on having cell service.
Current Forest Service maps, posted signs, gates and closures should always take precedence over older maps, navigation apps or information found online.
🌲 Explore the Markagunt from Duck Creek
Whether you're heading out for a short ride to a nearby overlook or spending the day exploring the plateau, the Markagunt Trail System provides access to an enormous part of the country surrounding Duck Creek Village.
The best way to experience it isn't necessarily to see how many miles you can cover.
Pick a destination, take your time, and explore the places along the way.