Opinions needed on a off-road trip : CO, UT, AZ.

[Presa Canario]

I'm looking for opinions/advice on a trip to take. I'm on vacation. I'm leaving out in a day or two. Possible options are Ouray, CO (I've been there twice and love it), the Sedona, AZ area (never been and don't know anything about it), or Moab/Arches (never been, but read a lot). All of these places are 13-14 hours from me so distance/travel time is irrelevant. Wherever I go, I want to be able to do some off-roading that is more than just basic logging roads and 2 wheel drive roads......yes I want to actually use my 4Runner. I want some decent scenery as well (why I love Ouray so much). Any options/advice from people that have been there is appreciated. I'm pretty familiar with the Ouray area and all the trails/passes.
4Runner is a 2017 TRD OR Premium with Icon lift, 285's, full RCI skids, SSO Sliders. No issues so far any of the places I've been.

 

[FrenchToasty]

Try the path you haven't travelled before.......Sedona is sooo beautiful! Lots to see and do, great trails. It's also a short distance to flagstaff which is a fun town aswell. But shneibly hill trail drops off of I-17 and down into the red rock formations into Sedona, I've never done it but herd it's fun. Lots of jeeps doing tourist convoys is the only downside to the area, but if your riding solo might be nice to be near help.
This time of year is a great time to be in Sedona, tree colors are changing up there, it's a favorite of mine to go see when that happens
Rooms will be more expensive the closer to Sedona you get, super fancy ones too if that toots your trumpet, so if you look in "oak creek" youll find more reasonable rates.
Oak creek brewery was pretty good eats, some of the "Mexican food" places are so so, more tex mex from Wisconsin

Good luck with your planning! Keep reading!

 

[SunPilot]

If you're thinking about Arches, I'd give Canyonlands NP a look. The scenery, to me, is way better. There are hundreds of offroad trails available in the park. Most require a high clearance vehicle. The park is about a half hour or so from Arches. Check it out. I'll be heading that way soon myself.

 

[Acorn22]

There could be some fresh snow up in Ouray, I'm currently in Crested Butte and we just got some snow, enough to cover everything like 10,500' and higher pretty well. Not sure if Ouray had the same but it wouldn't surprise me. Just letting you know

 

[Borezack]

If your in Moab try the Sand Flats recreation area. Or South west from there and drive the hole in the rock trail near Halls Crossing Ut

 

[wanderMT]

I would go to Moab/Arches/Canyon Lands. CO great but might as well go somewhere new and guessing high country has some snow.

 

[tx_shooter]

Have you thought about Big Bend Ranch State Park or Lincoln National Forest? Both of those are not horribly far and will offer some pretty good scenery. As for the list you provided; I would go with Moab/CO trip.

Check this link for a good write up on Moab/ CO in a single trip.
Moab & Colorado June 23rd-July 4th 2016 | ToyotaOff-Road.com

No matter what you pic; wish I was there instead of working.

 

[Oldmanb777]

Moab is probably what you are after. All are good, but this time of year is one of the best in S.E. Utah. There is a lot more than just Moab to S.E. Utah, but that's a good start. If you look at the Easter Jeep Safari news letter, it gives some good guidance on the area. Good source to get your bearings. And........STAY OFF THE SUPERMAN SOIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Oldmanb777]

a few pix

 

[DSnoopy]

I'm looking for opinions/advice on a trip to take. I'm on vacation. I'm leaving out in a day or two. Possible options are Ouray, CO (I've been there twice and love it), the Sedona, AZ area (never been and don't know anything about it), or Moab/Arches (never been, but read a lot). All of these places are 13-14 hours from me so distance/travel time is irrelevant. Wherever I go, I want to be able to do some off-roading that is more than just basic logging roads and 2 wheel drive roads......yes I want to actually use my 4Runner. I want some decent scenery as well (why I love Ouray so much). Any options/advice from people that have been there is appreciated. I'm pretty familiar with the Ouray area and all the trails/passes.
4Runner is a 2017 TRD OR Premium with Icon lift, 285's, full RCI skids, SSO Sliders. No issues so far any of the places I've been.

I was just in Telluride and Ouray this weekend. Already snow covered trails. Recommend enjoying the desert and planning anything over 8-9k feet next summer.

 

[RonJR]

This is the ideal time to head for the Utah desert in the Moab area. Crowds are down, and the weather is reasonable - highs in the 60's and low 70's, lows in the 30's and 40's. As stated, the high country in Colorado is pretty much snowed in already, and if it isn't, it will be soon. Don't risk getting your vehicle stranded for the winter somewhere.

The Moab area, both in Canyonlands and Arches, as well as the BLM land in the area, has enough trails of various levels to keep you busy for multiple trips. Scenery is spectacular. Two good trail guides are the one by Charles Webb, and the one by Peter Massey. Have fun!