Non-resident permit
$35 for 12 months via Utah State Parks
ATV guide
Mountain trail riding, not a Vegas-adjacent rental loop
The Markagunt Plateau trail system, Dixie National Forest, and a proper base at 8,400 feet.
The short version
This isn't a two-hour rental spin outside Vegas. The Markagunt trail system sits on the Dixie National Forest near Duck Creek, with mapped OHV routes through mountain meadows and pine forest at 8,000 to 10,000 feet. Utah requires a non-resident OHV permit ($35 for 12 months) and an OHV education certificate for adults. Handle both before you leave home. Then the weekend is simple: drive up Friday, ride Saturday, head home Sunday. Duck Creek gives you a mountain room or cabin to come back to, not a highway motel.
Bring your own ATVs or rent them in the village. Duck Creek Village Inn has trailer-friendly parking, so you can unload, settle in, and ride hundreds of miles of mountain trails right from your door.
Sample itinerary
- Before trip Buy $35 Utah non-resident OHV permit. Complete online OHV education certificate.
- Friday Drive up, top off fuel in Cedar City, arrive Duck Creek. Download the Markagunt trail map while you still have signal.
- Saturday Full ride day on the Markagunt trails. Pack water and fuel for the whole day. Shower and dinner at the cabin.
- Sunday Optional short morning ride or slow exit. Home by afternoon.
Numbers that matter
Three facts to check before you book anything.
Education requirement
OHV education certificate required for adult operators
Trail system
Markagunt OHV trails on the Dixie National Forest
Why this ride trip works
Read the reasons, then read the honest caveats at the bottom.
The trails have structure
The Markagunt system has an official trail map. You're riding mapped forest routes at 8,000 to 10,000 feet, not guessing your way down random dirt roads.
The overnight fits the ride
After a full day of dust, altitude, and mountain sun, you walk into a cabin or room in the pines. No three-hour drive home. Shower, food, sleep.
The setting is the point
Mountain meadows, aspen groves, forest corridors at elevation. This is high-country riding, not a flat desert track.
Two days makes it a real trip
One ride day plus arrival and departure turns a drive into a weekend. You can justify the three-hour tow or haul because you're using the full trip.
What to handle before you ride
Rules first, then route, then lodging. In that order.
Get your permit and certificate
Utah requires both for non-residents on public land. Buy the $35 permit through Utah State Parks and complete the online OHV education course before the trip.
Download the Markagunt trail map
The Forest Service publishes an OHV trail map. Cell service is spotty at elevation, so download or print it before you leave Cedar City.
Plan fuel and water for the full day
There are no gas stations on the trail system. Top off in Cedar City or Duck Creek. Bring more water than you think you'll need at 8,000+ feet.
Keep one day lighter
One full ride day and one shorter arrival or departure block. Don't try to force two massive trail days into a compressed weekend.
Other trip shapes
Same cabin, different weekend. These guides cover other reasons to drive north from Las Vegas.
Weekend Getaways from Las Vegas
For Vegas travelers who want cool nights, trees, and one full day that does not disappear into highway time.
See guide
Cabins Near Las Vegas
Pine-forest cabins at 8,400 feet, three hours from the Strip. Porches, kitchens, and quiet nights.
See guide
Mountain Town Near Las Vegas
About 100 residents, a general store, and pine trees in every direction. Not a resort town.
See guideOfficial planning sources
Check these before you go
Reviewed March 2026
Road closures, shuttle schedules, and park fees shift by season. Confirm the details below before you commit to dates.
fs.usda.gov
Markagunt OHV trail map
Official OHV trail map for the Markagunt system. Riders should still check the current MVUM.
Visit sitefs.usda.gov
Dixie National Forest OHV rules
Official route, education, and permit guidance for OHV travel on Dixie National Forest.
Visit siterecreation.utah.gov
Utah non-resident OHV permits
Current Utah permit guidance for out-of-state riders.
Visit siteudottraffic.utah.gov
UDOT traffic and road conditions
Road alerts and current highway conditions.
Visit siteATV planning questions
Rules and logistics to sort before you load the trailer.
Do I need a Utah OHV permit?
Yes. Non-residents need a $35 annual permit from Utah State Parks for public land riding. You also need an OHV education certificate.
Where exactly are the trails?
The Markagunt OHV system on the Dixie National Forest, near Duck Creek Village. The Forest Service publishes a trail map. Download it before you lose cell signal.
Should riders book a room or a cabin?
Cabin if you need space for gear, a kitchen for dusty-evening meals, and room for the crew. Room if you're traveling light and want simpler logistics.
What makes this better than riding near Vegas?
Mountain forest at 8,000 to 10,000 feet, cooler temps, mapped trails, and a weekend structure. This is a trip, not a rental-counter afternoon.
Choose your stay
Book the base after you've got the permit
Handle the $35 permit and OHV course, then pick a room or cabin for the Markagunt ride weekend.