Safety, Rules and Regulations

The PAIUTE TRAIL JAMBOREE s a sanctioned event, thus making it exempt from the new Utah OHV education course requirement.   If you are wanting to ride our trails outside of our event you are required to take the Utah OHV Education Course.

Do not drink alcohol or use drugs while riding.  As with autos, riding an ATV/UTV while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lead to serious accidents involving you and/or other members of your group.  Utah State law prohibits the use of drugs or alcohol while operating an ATV/UTV or any other motor vehicle.

Please observe the following safety tips, State and Local ATV/UTV ordinances:

Observe the same traffic laws as other normal vehicles.  Courtesy goes a long way in avoiding and preventing problems with other users.

ATVs/UTVs shall yield right-of-way to automobiles at all times.  Parts of the trail are also used for larger vehicles so be cautious and yield right-of-way to them while riding.  ATVs/UTVs shall also yield to horseback riders who may be using the same trail.  When meeting horseback riders please pull off the trail and turn off your engine, allowing the horse to pass without being spooked by your machine.

All ATV trails and roads are subject to two-way traffic.  Please use extreme caution when riding to avoid head-on collisions.  Be courteous when allowing other riders to pass.

ATV/UTV use in cities and towns is restricted to designated routes except to directly access motels, gas stations and other related services and activities, and for direct access to the trail.  Each city and town have certain streets designated as ATV/UTV routes.  Maps can be made available upon request.  Please use and respect these designated streets and other users and yield to normal vehicle traffic.

The Paiute ATV Trail and approved side trails have mostly been signed for your convenience.  Please stay on designated trails and prevent the disturbance and misuse of public lands.  Riding on public lands is a privilege.  Please help us to preserve it.

Some visitors are astonished at the massive nature of the trail system and the remoteness of some of the areas.  Because of this some have expressed real concern about encountering wildlife along the trail.  Though there are some wild animals, they are extremely wary of humans, unless they are protecting their young.

Some species of wildlife are common and encountering these can significantly enhance the experience of the Paiute Trail.  Mule deer are common to the area and can be seen on any part of the trail, particularly at dusk.  The Fish Lake National Forest is also home to large herds of elk.  At times the deer will stand and watch you long enough for you to get your camera out for pictures.  Elk are more wary, so when you spot them it’s best to already have the camera ready.  To view or photograph these animals, stop your ATV/UTV but leave the engine running and remain on the vehicle.  Changes in sound or sudden movement will startle the animals.  Chasing wildlife is illegal because it stresses them and could lead to their death.

The area around the Paiute ATV Trail is a popular wintering area for both golden and bald eagles.  Some remain year long, so you may see one of these majestic birds as you travel along the trail.  There is a herd of moose in the Fish Lake Basin.  These animals wander quite widely so you might get a rare chance to see one on the northeast part of the trail.  Some lucky riders may catch a glimpse of the mountain goats as they traverse the Tushar Mountains, near the top.  Other animals often seen along the trail include coyotes, ground squirrels, chipmunks and numerous species of songbirds.  The best way to shoot them is with a camera.  Above all, do not harass the wildlife.

Skunks, rattlesnakes and badgers are also present in the area.  A common misconception is that if you encounter a rattlesnake, it should be killed, rattlesnakes are a protected species and should not be harmed in any way.  If you encounter one in the middle of the trail, common sense should tell you to stay your distance until it decides to leave, or you can find a safe route around. Then you can use the encounter to spice up the description of the trip to the folks back home.

Most of the trail system is on public lands where ranchers have permits to graze cattle.  Consequently, you may see cattle on any part of the trail.  They are completely harmless.  When encountering cows on the trail, simply reduce your speed and continue driving.  They will get out of your way.  Remember that these cows belong to someone so do not harass them unnecessarily.  There are gates along the trail separating pastures or land ownership.  Always leave these gates as you find them; open if you find them so or closed if they were closed when you arrived.

At places the Paiute Trail passes through private land.  All of the main loop and some of the side trails follows legal rights-of-way across these parcels of private lands.  Some areas of the Forest are closed or restricted to motorized travel to protect wildlife habitat, watershed conditions or other recreational opportunities.  When riding remember not to trespass on private property and stay on designated trails.  Remember that riding on trails on public lands is a privilege that is already being closely scrutinized by environmentalists, politicians and land managers.  If you stay on designated trails, ‘tread lightly,’ carry out any garbage and generally leave the land as you found it, you will help to preserve your right to ride on both private and public lands.

There are several factors that should be considered due to the high elevation of the trails.  Elevations along the trail range from 5,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level.  Because of the elevation and low oxygen levels, people with respiratory problems or heart conditions should consult a doctor before leaving home.  Also, people coming directly from near sea level must be aware that physical stamina until they become acclimatized.

Another result of the trail’s high elevations is temperature fluctuations.  First, with over a mile of relief between high and low points, there can be a 20-to-30-degree temperature difference along the trail.  Second, it is common to have a 40-degree temperature change from morning to night.  This fluctuation in temperature should be considered by those planning to camp along the trail.  Along with these temperature fluctuations is the fact that it never really gets too warm at 11,000 feet.  As a result, you should always carry warm clothing even if the weather appears mild at the start of a ride.  You should also make sure your ATV/UTV is jetted properly for this altitude.

Prep-planning is the key to a successful trip.  Once you embark on the trail, you are in a different world with few support services.  It is important that you have everything you might need.  This includes having enough fuel to get from one filling station to the next.

The following suggested are intended to make your ATV ride safe and enjoyable. Your focus on safety should start before you leave home and continue until all the equipment is put away.

All Jamboree events will be led by competent guides who are familiar with the trails to be used and the conditions to be met.   For your own safety and peace of mind, and that of the entire group, we require that every rider stay with the group and follow the assigned guide.  Those who prefer to travel faster than the group and who decide to strike out on their own are generally the ones who have troubles.  All Jamboree rides are classified as to the difficulty of the trail and necessary rider skill and experience.

Regardless of age or experience, please wear a helmet, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, shatter-resistant eye protection, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt or jacket while riding.  Eye protection is necessary because branches out over the trail, flying dirt, dust, rocks and insects can get into unprotected eyes.  The other safety clothing is for sudden spills that can be caused by ruts, rocks or roots that can throw an ATV/UTV and its rider off course and into a spill.  This is especially true if a ride is traveling too fast for trail conditions or personal ability.

Don’t push yourself beyond your limits either in the speed or distance you plan to travel.  Exceeding either limit leads to fatigue and loss of control which can cause accidents.  The Paiute ATV and the Great Western Trails are meant for leisurely travel, not for speed.  Most ATV accidents can be attributed to excessive speed, traveling too fast for conditions.  Accidents may also be caused by excessive dust and limited visibility.

You can minimize dust and increase your riding safety and enjoyment if you allow 15 to 30 seconds between yourself and the rider ahead of you.  We suggest this spacing as a critical safety tip.

You should plan to carry plenty of water or other non-alcoholic liquid.  Unless you are used to the aridity of Utah you can lose more body fluids than you realize, leading to dehydration and exhaustion.  Do not drink water from steams.  Giardia, a water-borne disease, is found in all surface waters and can ruin a good vacation.

• Beginner: These rides are almost wholly on dirt roads in the Paiute system.  Some of the beginner rides may include short moderately steep sections or switchbacks.

• Intermediate: Intermediate rides generally include some road and ATV trail portions with some steep, rough or challenging trails.  A ride may also be intermediate in nature due to its length.

• Advanced: Advanced rides will generally include portions that are steep, rough, and otherwise difficult to maneuver.  In some cases, rides are listed as advanced because of the length of the ride.

Please note that Beginner riders who place themselves in an advanced group may become a problem to the entire group. 

Paiute Trail UTV Jamboree is very environmentally conscientious and insists that all participants be aware of potential environmental related problems.  Our policy is to be absolutely “environmentally friendly” by adhering to the following:

1. Always keep your ATV/UTV on designated roads and trails.  Your ATVUTV wheels must be absolutely in the established wheel tracks.  Do not ride your ATV/UTV off the trail, in the grass, brush or on any vegetation.  Participants must confine their riding to inventoried, mapped, signed and designated ATV/UTV routes; specifically, those as outlined by the Jamboree and designated in our Special Use Permit from the Forest Service and the BLM.  Trained guides will keep you on those designated trails, if you will follow them carefully.

2. There are several smaller stream crossings on the established trail systems.  When crossing steams, always cross at 90 degrees to the stream flow; this is the shortest path to the other side.  Most stream beds consist of rock so your crossing will not stir up any sediment.  However, this may not be the case in some of the smaller streams.  Please cross slowly and carefully, trying not to stir up or damage the muddy bottom.

3. Please be aware of sensitive riparian areas adjacent to many streams.  While the established trail will not traverse these areas, you must be careful not to cause any damage when you cross steams.  Avoid running over any vegetation, including young trees, shrubs and grasses.  Again, stay in the established wheel tracks and follow your guide.

4. Please be sensitive to the needs of wildlife, livestock, ranchers, horsemen, hunters and other users of the trail.  Do not harass wildlife or livestock.  Upon sighting wildlife, slow down or stop your machines, leave the engines running, and stay on your ATV/UTV.  Most animals will not be alarmed by your passing or watching.  However, if you stop quickly, turn off your engine and climb off your machine, the change seems to alert them, and they will tend to move away from you.

5. If trails should be blocked or downed trees or other obstacles, please do not make your way around them.  This practice establishes parallel trails, which is to be always avoided.  Instead, with the help of the group, if necessary, remove the obstacle and proceed within the established road or trail.

6. DO NOT pioneer any new trails.

7. Tread lightly!  Leave no trace that you were there.  Always leave the trail better than you found it.

8. Please help eliminate trash that may be found along the way. As for your own trash, “if you pack it in, pack it out.”

9. If you enjoy riding the trails, please contribute to their maintenance and upkeep.

The Paiute ATV Trail Committee reminds you that it is a privilege to use the trail, and that the user is responsible to maintain that privilege.  By obeying these guidelines, we can continue to enjoy this unique system of trails and the privilege of riding on public lands.

Piute County and its sponsors and supporters have tried to take every possible precaution to assist you in having a safe and enjoyable adventure while you are here.  Because of the nature of this sport, it must be understood by every participant that there are inherent dangers in riding ATVs/UTVs.  The Jamboree, its sponsors and supporters and public land management agencies cannot be responsible or liable for any accidents or mishaps, or personal or property damage which occurs during Jamboree events.  By registering for the Jamboree, each rider takes upon himself personal responsibility for his own safety and well-being, and that of others in his care

Riders are required to stay with their groups and follow the designated guide.  This will help provide for the safety and comfort of all riders.  A guide will assist the group in determining and maintaining a safe and comfortable speed and will determine the routes to be followed.   Good judgment and responsible riding, on the part of every rider, must be always exercised on the trail.  Each rider will be responsible for compliance with the conditions set forth herein, and for the condition and operation of his or her own ATV/UTV and related equipment, and of his or her own safety and personal protective gear, and that of those in his charge.

Utah State ATV/UTV laws indicate that where trails are located on public lands and have been properly designated as open to ATV/UTV use, those involved in land management, and organized, permitted uses on those trails bear no responsibility or liability for accidents which may happen due to trail use or participation in events involving those trails.  Again, we emphasize personal responsibility for safety and well-being on the trail.

Jamboree personnel have attempted to assign a rating to each event, to help riders determine which events will be within the scope of their experience and ability, and to avoid those that may be beyond their abilities.  These ratings are not according to any established system but have been based only on the experience and personal knowledge of the guides.  A variety of rides has been selected to provide events suitable to the abilities and wants of every rider.  If riders have any questions or concerns about the difficulty of any event, they should ask the guide or other Jamboree personnel prior to joining with the group.  Riders are encouraged to pick the Jamboree rides and events which suit their individual experience and riding abilities.

Special thanks to the Town of Marysvale, Fish lake National Forest and Richfield District of the Bureau of Land Management for allowing Jamboree use of public lands under their administration. Their land use and management policies have allowed for our controlled and careful use of OHVs on public lands.  Thanks also to the Utah Division of Natural Resources, which administers OHV registration, safety, rider training and certification programs in Utah.

Most of all, thank you to all the volunteers who help to guide the Jamboree rides and provide help at the City Park.