Glenwood Open OHV Area is a 1000 acre Bureau of Land Management property located in Utah and overseen by the Richfield Field Office. The BLM site is a popular destination for off-highway vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and dirt bikes. OHV activities tend to be concentrated in an open oval area that follows the Clay Hills, which run north to south in the area, and on the hills themselves. There is also a dirt bike track, ATV trails, and access roads with varying terrain where OHV aficionados can enjoy both relaxing and challenging off-road adventures.
The terrain consists of open desert-like wilderness terrain with low scrub brush typical of the region. The BLM property is situated in the Painted Hills region, east of the Sevier Valley, and the public lands are situated between Highway 24 and Highway 119. There are private lands in the region as well, which must be crossed to reach the public lands. OHV users should ensure they stay on roadways until they reach the Open OHV area boundaries before engaging in cross country activities.
The Glenwood Open OHV Area experiences cold winter weather with snowfall and hot summer temperatures with little precipitation. Visitors should be prepared for temperature extremes at different times of the year, with appropriate outerwear and gear, and ensure their OHVs are appropriately serviced to handle conditions.
There are numerous parks and wilderness areas in the vicinity to visit while enjoying the fun at Glenwood Open OHV Area. Visit the Fishlake National Forest to the southwest, the Manti-La Sal National Forest to the northeast, and the Capitol Reef National Park to the southeast while staying in the region.
To reach the Glenwood Open OHV Area from the nearby town of Richfield, Utah take Highway 119 east for about five miles. Past the turnoff for the town of Glenwood, the Glenwood Open OHV area is on the north side of the road. Several naturally surfaced dirt roads from Highway 119 branch off to the north and provide access to the open OHV area, trails and climbing hills for OHVs, ATVs, and dirt biking activities. Access roads from the west run through private lands. Be respectful of private landowners in the region and stick to public roadways until you reach the designated OHV area before engaging in cross country motorized vehicle activities.
The access roads are subject to weather conditions as they are dirt surfaced. During wet weather, they can become muddy or rutted, and not suitable for travel by low clearance RVs or tow vehicles. The area can also be dusty in dry conditions, especially when high winds are prevalent. RVs and travel trailers can be left at the KOA in Richfield, Utah, and OHV users can proceed to the Glenwood Open OHV Area in appropriate four-wheel-drive high clearance vehicles.
Ensure your transport vehicles and any recreational vehicles are equipped for the rough terrain and climate extremes. Hot summer and cold winter weather with sub-freezing temperatures and snow can make travel in the region challenging.
An excellent campground that accommodates RVers in style is located at Richfield, less than 10 miles to the west of the Glenwood Open OHV Area.
The town of Richfield is one of the destinations on the Paiute ATV trail and is a popular camping spot for ATVers exploring the region. You can access the Paiute Trail right from the campground. There are numerous RV sites that are level and accessible for large RV units and travel trailers. Twelve larger pull-through sites are open all year round.
Campsites at the KOA campground include full hookups with 50 amp service, Wi-Fi, and cable TV. Amenities include a heated pool, pavilion, bike rentals, store, firewood sales, and a dog park. There are also restrooms and a laundry facility. Plenty of shady spots and trees and grassy areas are the perfect place to relax after a long day on the ATV trail, or set up camp here and you can take your OHV or haul ATVs and dirt bikes to the Glenwood Open OHV area.
Primitive camping is permitted in Bureau of Land Management public lands. There are no services at the Glenwood Open OHV Area. However, OHV enthusiasts can stay at the site overnight if they adhere to BLM regulations which include “Leave No Trace” principles. These include packing out all trash, using previously used sites when possible, observing open fire regulations and restrictions, burying human waste appropriately, and limiting stays to no more than 14 days at any one site.
The area can be pretty noisy during the day with OHV, ATV, and dirt biking activities, but since that is what most visitors are here for, it is not usually an issue. Be prepared for hot summer days and chilly nights in the wilderness terrain. You will need to ensure you have adequate water and supplies to provide for your stay. After a long day of off-road fun, you can enjoy some peaceful stargazing and contemplation in the starkly beautiful Utah wilderness at night while camping in the BLM lands.
The OHV activities are the biggest draw to the Glenwood Open OHV Area. The OHV area has open areas, trails, and climbing hills for OHVs and ATVs, and there is a dirt bike track for motocross.
The Paiute ATV trail is also located in the region. This is a highly rated, loop trail that is continuous and runs through area towns, Fishlake National Forest, Fremont Indian State Park, and the Tushar Mountains. The trail is 275 miles in total and takes 25 hours of non-stop riding to complete. Most Paiute ATV trail users take a few days to traverse the entire loop by arranging lodging or camping spots along the way.
Think of geocaching as a real-life treasure hunt! Using GPS devices, navigate to a specific set of coordinates to find the hidden “cache” item or items. The BLM Glenwood Open OHV Area has a geocaching site accompanied by a spectacular view of the Utah wilderness area and the OHV activities in the region. Contact the Richfield Field Office for more information, coordinates, tips, and advice on geocaching at the Glenwood Open OHV Area.
Tabernacle Hill, just west of the town of Meadow, and under 70 miles from the Glenwood Open OHV area, is the site of lava tubes that were formed during a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. These tubes extend for miles underground. Some are inaccessible due to collapse, but others are open for exploration.
Bring a flashlight as the tunnels are dark, and good hiking shoes or boots as the terrain is uneven and can be slippery. Some brave souls even camp overnight in the lava tunnels!
For those looking to take in the Glenwood Open OHV Area without an OHV, there are opportunities to hike, horseback ride, or mountain bike in the wilderness area.
OHV trails, open areas, and hills in the area can be explored by pedal bike, horseback, and hiking on foot, but be aware that OHVs also use the area and can be traveling at high speeds. Also, dusty conditions and varying terrain can impede sight-lines. Keep an eye and an ear out for OHV and ATV traffic while using the area. Moderate temperatures and accessible terrain for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians are more prevalent in the fall and OHV traffic may be more sparse in the off-season.
Just 18 miles from the Glenwood Open OHV area, in the town of Monroe, the Mystic Hot Springs, a natural hot spring resort, can be found. The natural springs here produce hot water that flows up from the ground and via a channel into eight antique bathtubs at the resort. Perfect for soaking after a long tiring day of OHV adventures.
There are also two pools, one shallow pool ideal for smaller children, and a deep pool you can really sink into. The hot springs are a great way to warm up on chilly winter days.
Located 33 miles southeast of the Glenwood Open OHV area is the world's largest living organism! The Pando Aspen Forest, or Trembling Giant, is a 47,000-tree quaking aspen grove that is actually one single living organism, with each tree being genetically identical and sharing a single root system.
The trees or “tree” cover 106 acres. Visit in the fall when the leaves of this massive organism change from green to gold for a once in a lifetime experience.
