UTV trails can range from a simple dirt road through the woods to narrow pathways with steep inclines, large boulders, and deep water streams. Despite the wide range of UTV trails, new riders often struggle to find a trail suited for their skill level due to the absence of a single standardized UTV trail difficulty rating system.
Despite this challenge, you can become a UTV trail expert by understanding the two primary rating systems used in the U.S. and how to evaluate a trail’s difficulty when a park doesn’t provide ratings.
Is There a Universal UTV Trail Difficulty Rating System?
Unlike mountain biking trails in the U.S., which follow the IMBA system, UTV trails do not have a universal rating system.
Due to the lack of standardization, some parks have developed their own systems and signage to indicate the difficulty of trails for UTVs.
Do Some UTV Trail Rating Systems Exist?
Although there are no universal UTV trail rating systems, the two main ones in the U.S. are a color-based system and a numerical system.
Both of these systems rate Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trails based on their challenge, taking into account the trail’s difficulty for a range of OHVs, such as UTVs, ATVs, and dirt bikes.
What Is the Color-Based UTV Trail Grading System?
The color-based system is primarily used in California and Minnesota, with the system taking into account trail surface, width, and steepness. Below you can find a brief overview of the color-based UTV rating system:
- Green circle: Green circle routes are the safest UTV trails and the best option for anyone seeking beginner UTV trails. These easy UTV trails are wide, smooth, and free of steep climbs or major obstacles, making them ideal for learning the basics of off-road riding. They’re the lowest UTV trail level and a great introduction to the sport.
- Blue square: Blue square trails are moderately challenging with hills, switchbacks, and some obstacles. The majority of UTV trails you’ll encounter will fit this difficulty and are suitable for non-modified UTVs. Since they offer a greater challenge, they’re perfect for experienced UTV riders looking to hone their skills.
- Black diamond: Black diamond paths represent the toughest UTV trail levels and are considered hard UTV trails or advanced UTV trails. Steep grades, narrow passes, and rugged obstacles define these rides, which are best left to experts.
- Orange sign: An orange trail sign indicates that the trail is only suitable for motorcycles.
What Is the Numerical UTV Trail Rating System?
The numerical UTV rating system originates from the Colorado Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs and has been adopted by UTV parks and recreation areas throughout the country.
This system rates OHV trails on a 10-point scale and is far more detailed than the color-based system. The following criteria are used for each rating:
1 Rating
These are the safest UTV trails, with graded dirt roads, gentle slopes, and minimal obstacles. Water crossings stay shallow (under three inches), and most vehicles can pass easily in 2WD. Roads are typically wide enough for two vehicles, making this the most accessible level of UTV trail.
2 Rating
Still beginner-friendly, these dirt roads are great UTV trails for families, as they only include ruts and grades up to 10 degrees. Shallow water crossings are common, and while 2WD is usually sufficient, wet weather may require 4WD. Width ranges from one and a half to two vehicles across.
3 Rating
At this level, riders encounter ruts, washes, and small rocks with grades up to 10 degrees. Water crossings may reach six inches, and mud is possible, but generally passable. Though 2WD can work in good conditions, 4WD is recommended. Passing areas are usually available even if the trail narrows.
4 Rating
These roads are rockier and more rutted, with stones up to nine inches high. Water crossings typically stay below hub depth, and grades or side slopes may reach 15 degrees. 4WD is advised for most conditions, and the trails usually allow room for vehicles to pass.
5 Rating
Conditions grow tougher, with rocks up to a foot tall, holes six inches deep, and water crossings around 12 inches. Moderate grades and side slopes up to 20 degrees, meaning 4WD is usually necessary. Passing spots remain available throughout the trail, and width is generally not an issue.
6 Rating
Frequent rocks, deep ruts, and shelves up to six inches make these trails demanding. Water crossings may exceed hub depth with swift currents, while grades reach 20 degrees and side slopes near 30. 4WD is necessary, and stock vehicles may need multiple attempts to successfully navigate parts of the trail. Wider machines may face clearance issues.
7 Rating
Expect large rocks, deep holes, and shelves up to nine inches, often combined with mud and steep climbs to 25 degrees. Side slopes can hit 30 degrees, and water crossings may reach 18 inches with strong currents. Trails narrow to about 1.5 vehicles wide. 4WD is mandatory, and driver skill is key.
8 Rating
These routes feature severe ruts, frequent rocks taller than hubs, and shelves up to a foot high. Deep mud and steep, loose grades of up to 25 degrees are common, along with water crossings that exceed 30 inches. Trails may narrow to single-vehicle width, and both experience and vehicle modifications are highly recommended.
9 Rating
Only advanced riders should attempt these extreme trails, which feature rocks, holes, and shelves that are over 15 inches high. They may also contain deep mud bogs, water crossings exceeding 30 inches with currents, and grades and side slopes surpassing 30 degrees. Stock vehicles usually can’t pass, and the risk of body damage, breakdown, or rollover is high.
10 Rating
The most extreme rating includes nearly impassable terrain, requiring winching, trail-building, and heavily modified vehicles. Stock machines are unsuitable, and even under ideal conditions, vehicle damage is likely to occur. Personal injury is possible, and riders should exercise maximum caution when tackling these trails.
How Can You Figure Out How Difficult a UTV Trail Without a Rating Is?
If a recreation park doesn’t follow either of the above systems and doesn’t have a resting system of its own, it’s a good idea to check with staff or other riders about the difficulty of trails. Typically, a park’s staff can fill you in on what trails are appropriate for your skill level and UTV.
When a park doesn’t have any staff you can speak to and other riders aren’t around, you can get some sense of its potential difficulty by paying attention to the surrounding terrain and looking for signs of a more difficult trail.
Signs of Higher Difficulty UTV Trails
Whether you’re looking for a beginner UTV trail or a more extreme UTV adventure, you can make sure you’re on the right path by knowing a few signs of a more difficult UTV trail. In general, the following signs indicate a UTV trail will require more skill to navigate safely:
- Steep inclines or side slopes, with grades over 15 degrees or sidehills pushing 20 to 30 degrees.
- Large rocks or deep ruts 9 to 12+ inches tall.
- Narrow paths with limited passing spots and a single-vehicle width.
- Deep water crossings featuring strong currents and/or streams above hub height (12 to 30+ inches).
- Muddy hazards, particularly long or uphill muddy stretches, which can trap vehicles without recovery gear.
- Frequent obstacles, including switchbacks, shelves, drop-offs, and deep holes.
- Expert-only or extreme-caution warnings.
What Makes a UTV Trail Difficult?
A challenging UTV trail typically features steep inclines, large rocks, muddy sections, numerous obstacles, and deep water crossings.
How to Choose a UTV Trail for Beginners
If a UTV trail has a green circle or a rating from one to three, it’s usually a good UTV trail for beginners.
Since these trails feature few obstacles, wide trails, and a lack of steep inclines, they’re ideal for those who are just getting used to driving. They’re also good family UTV trails, as you can take them fairly slowly and their trail’s width means other riders can easily pass if they want to go faster.
When a trail doesn’t have a rating, look for ones with gentle slopes, wide pathways, minimal obstacles, and a lack of deep water or mud.
Visit WildSide for UTV Tours in the Smoky Mountains
If you’re interested in going on a UTV tour in Pigeon Forge or the surrounding Smoky Mountains, WildSide has you covered. Our 90-minute UTV tours give you the chance to get behind the wheel of a UTV and explore the Smokies in style. Throughout your tour, a guide will lead you through an old-growth forest, and you can expect plenty of incredible photo opportunities. We’re also home to America’s longest zipline, and we have lots of mountain biking trails at varying difficulties!
Learn more about our UTV tours today.