Sand Spring Road (BLM050)

Trail Overview

Sand Spring Road - BLM050 is a 5.3-mile sand and rock trail rated 3 of 10 and is located within the Moquith Mountain Wilderness Study Area. Sand Spring Road is a 3.5-mile OHV route that leads from Hancock Road to the Moquith Mountain Wilderness Study Area with an additional 1.8-mile section that leads through South Fork Indian Canyon to a destination hike. The Moquith Mountain Wilderness Study Area is a scenic and remote area located east of Utah's Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and west of the city of Kanab. Travel on Sand Spring Road is suited for any lightly equipped 4WD/AWD vehicle. The route features many twists and banked curves, leads past a primitive campsite, and ends at a footpath that leads to Native American pictographs. Just before entering the wilderness area, you will pass the Sand Spring campground. This campground is best suited to primitive camping and, is located just outside the WSA boundaries. It is ideally situated for a remote camping experience. We would not recommend full RV camping in this area. There are no hookups and there is a high risk of getting your rig trapped in the sand. Springs Road ends at the trailhead for South Fork Indian Canyon Trail which leads to a pictograph site approximately 1 mile down the hiking trail. The trailhead starts right behind the information sign at the end of the vehicle track. The Basketmaker people painted on these walls between 452AD and 62BC. The pictographs were painted using natural pigments found in the area like ochre, rabbit brush, and mineral deposits. The Basketmaker people lived above these canyons in pithouses. They were farmers, hunters, and gatherers. The canyon below offered an abundant supply of water. The hike to the pictograph site is roughly one-half mile and the first portion is a steep downhill descent into the canyon below. There are no barriers to prevent a person from walking right up to the ancient paintings. It is of the utmost importance that the area is not disturbed. Do not touch the delicate art, as the oil from our skin destroys the paintings. Do not camp or build fires in the alcove as the smoke will cause irreparable damage. Take only pictures, and leave with memories.

Photos of Sand Spring Road (BLM050)

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Difficulty

Trail consisting of loose rocks, dirt, and sand with some slick rock surfaces, mud holes possible, no steps higher than 12". 4WD is required, and aggressive tires are a plus.

Technical Rating