Best States For Off-Roading

I would have to say Colorado and Utah take the top two spots for just scenic beauty. Imogene Pass, Black Bear Pass, Moab, etc. are just out of this world.
California probably comes in third place just for sheer variety. There are so many places to go with varying levels of difficulty and different types of terrain.
The states in the Pacific Northwest rank right below California.
Then I would throw in Arizona.
Then everyone else after that.

 

As someone who moved from Colorado to Nebraska (yes, I know it was the wrong direction) I agree.

 

Moab was so amazing that I have to give it to Utah!

 

There’s much more to Utah than Moab.

 

Monument Valley is awesome.

 

Arizona possibly might have the most variety (arguably with maybe California). But I've been here my whole life and there's a ton of different terrain from: desert, high desert, forests in the mountains, plateau regions. There's even volcanic areas up by Flagstaff. My opinion though; probably a little biased lol.

 

No honorable mention for the southeast? NC, Tenn, Bama?

 

I've been to Utah and Colorado multiple times. There simply isn't anything in the SE that comes close

 

Well i didnt say it the SE deserved the top spot. I know that dont compare to UT or CO. But decent wheeling with places like windrock, gulches, Ure. Granted Antbrocite is in PA but still east coast non the less. I digress.

 

Actually I might have to put Arizona above the Pacific Northwest. The drier desert terrain is better for offroading imo. But I wouldn't say it's better than California. CA is an offroading paradise. Soooo many trails. Both desert and mountains.

 

Utah has amazing variety top to bottom, and it is amazing how much is open to the public. Colorado has great terrain too, but with less public access in many areas, which makes Utah slightly better IMO, but the variety in CO and UT are amazing. If the entire Utah Territory became one state, it would have been the best of all (NV, UT and CO combined).

UT, CO, ID, MT, CA and AZ are by far the best I have seen.

And I have lived and wheeled in every region except the SE.

 

What about NV? State is mostly BLM/public land and has nearly endless places to go with dirt roads scattered across the whole state. Not all desert either.

 

I've been to Padre Island, MOAB, and parts of CO. I'm planning on a SW CO trip this year.

CO and Utah are my top 2. There's so much to see and do in the most beautiful parts of the US.

 

I think the SE versus out west discussion really comes down to what each person likes to drive through. The SE is definitely different driving; requires different equipment and driving style. After checking out a lot of Colorado and west over the years, I'm excited to spread my wings and start visiting the SE more. It sure helps that family now lives in TN and NC.

 

If you make it to SW Colorado, take a trip out to Monument Valley (SE Utah). Its only about 3 hours away from Durango, CO. You wont regret it, trust me. Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Most people never make it to Monument Valley because it is so isolated. The closest cities are Flagstaff, AZ and Durango, CO which are both 3 hours away.

 

We plan on another trip to MOAB eventually, that's why I said there was so much to do. We did 5 trails starting with Rimrocker out to MOAB last year. It was an amazing experience. I was 2,000 feet away from that monolith and didn't even know it till news broke months later.

Monument Valley is definitely on my list though.

 

Do you have any off pavement roads you recommend from this area?

 

I went to Monument Valley in December 2017. It was very cold but beautiful...and no crowds! The Navajo even let you drive your truck into the valley (for a fee).