Five Mile Pass OHV Area
Five Mile Pass OHV Area is a 17,500-acre BLM-managed open-riding zone in Utah and Tooele counties approximately 35 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, the closest large-scale public-land OHV destination to the Wasatch Front's 2.5-million-person metro area. The area occupies the pass and the rolling BLM land between the Oquirrh Mountains to the north and the Lake Mountains to the south, in the transition zone between the Great Salt Lake basin and the Utah Valley watershed. The terrain is characteristic Great Basin sagebrush and scrub: open sagebrush steppe across the broad valley bottoms, juniper-covered hills on the surrounding ridges, and the exposed rocky outcroppings that give the area technical riding character where the topography allows. The open-riding designation means riders are not restricted to designated trails for most of the area, cross-country travel is permitted on the BLM land, which is part of what makes Five Mile Pass such a popular destination for Wasatch Front riders: unrestricted desert riding terrain that simply does not exist within the Salt Lake Valley proper. ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and 4x4 trucks are all permitted; the terrain and scale accommodate all skill levels from beginner desert riders to advanced technical explorers. No day-use fee; Utah OHV registration is required for all machines. Dispersed camping is permitted on the BLM land under standard 14-night limits. The proximity to Salt Lake City means Five Mile Pass sees substantially more traffic on weekends than during weekdays, weekday visits are dramatically quieter. BLM Salt Lake Field Office (801-977-4300) manages current access and any temporary closure information.