CROSS-COUNTRY RIDING IS LEGAL ONLY INSIDE THE FENCED OPEN AREA. Outside it, every motorized vehicle must stay on designated routes. The southern boundary is fenced and signed — know which side you are on.
Permit status not confirmed. Check with the managing agency.
Access is 12 miles of county dirt road (Floy Wash Road) off I-70. Check conditions before towing a heavy rig in.
Guide
About this area
• Roughly 1,400 acres of open riding, fenced and signed along the southern boundary • White Wash itself runs through the middle as the main artery • The dunes are south of the wash — cottonwood trees growing directly out of the sand, unusual enough that films have been shot here • Not the largest dunes in Utah, but…
Full agency description
White Wash Sand Dunes sits 25 miles southeast of Green River — roughly 1,400 acres of fenced, signed open riding area with the wash itself running through the middle as the main artery. The dunes are on the south side, and what makes them unusual is the cottonwoods growing straight out of the sand; it is a striking enough setting that films have been shot here. Cross-country riding is allowed INSIDE the open area only. Step outside the fence and you are on designated routes, with private property close enough that trespass and damage have been a genuine problem.
Access
Getting there
Ranch Exit 173 / Floy Wash RoadEntrance
Drive 13 miles east of Green River on Interstate 70 and take RANCH EXIT 173 to the SOUTH. This county road is known locally as the FLOY WASH ROAD (the exit is seven miles west of U.S. Highway 191). From I-70 continue southwest on Floy Wash Road for 12 miles — BEAR RIGHT 4.5 miles from I-70, and continue STRAIGHT at 7.8 miles. Go EAST (left) at 12.3 miles southwest of I-70. You will pass oil production facilities, some on private property — avoid those. The dunes are visible from that intersection.
There are two very large natural parking areas just west of the sand dunes. BLM advise that larger vehicles may wish to use the area on TOP OF THE HILL.
Specific to Whitewash Sand Dunes Open OHV Area and Trail System
Cross-country travel is allowed only within the fenced open area
Do not trespass on adjoining private property — report damage to Grand County Sheriff 435-259-8115
🔴 CROSS-COUNTRY RIDING IS ALLOWED ONLY INSIDE THE FENCED OPEN AREA
The southern boundary is fenced and signed so you can tell where legal riding ends
Show all 10 area-specific rules
🔴 PRIVATE PROPERTY ADJOINS THIS AREA. Damage and trespass have already happened and it threatens continued access
Report trespass or damage to the Grand County Sheriff on 435-259-8115, or 911 in an emergency
Registration not mentioned; stickers not mentioned; prohibited items: none mentioned; age and helmet rules: none mentioned
🪖 UTAH — HELMET: required for anyone UNDER 18 on public land, on an ATV, motorcycle or snowmobile. DOT safety-rated, properly fitted and fastened. Everyone else is strongly advised to wear one.
🧒 UTAH — UNDER 18 you must be able to reach and work every control, hold a valid Utah OHV education certificate, AND be under direct adult supervision. All three.
📋 UTAH — NON-RESIDENT PERMIT REQUIRED to ride public land: $30, valid 12 months. Your home-state registration does not replace it. Utah OHV registration is required for residents.
Standard OHV rules (6)
Common equipment, registration and trail-use rules still apply.
⭐ RIDE TO THE HIGHEST SAFETY STANDARD, NOT THE LEGAL MINIMUM. What is written below is what the managing agency requires. A helmet, eye protection, a flag and proper gear are what get you home — wear them whether or not the law where you are riding insists on it.
All motorized travel outside the open area must stay on designated routes
Outside the open area, ALL motorized travel must stay on designated routes
🚩 UTAH — WHIP FLAG REQUIRED ON SAND DUNES. A red or orange flag, minimum 6 x 12 inches, must be attached to your machine when riding a sand dune area. This is a Utah rule, not just a local one.
📖 CHECK THE LAW YOURSELF — these requirements come from Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation — OHV Laws & Rules. Rules change, and you are responsible for compliance: recreation.utah.gov
🗺️ NO SIGNAL? TAKE AN OFFLINE MAP. BLM publish free GEOREFERENCED PDF maps that show your live GPS position with no cell service, in the Avenza Maps app or similar. Download the map for this area BEFORE you leave tarmac: www.blm.gov
Permits
Permits & registration
Permit and registration details
State residents
Utah residents: OHV registration required.
Out-of-state riders
Out-of-state riders: a Utah Non-Resident OHV Permit is required to ride on public land. $35, valid 12 months from purchase, and it must be bought online — the permanent permit takes up to 20 business days.
Permit and registration rules change. Confirm current requirements with the managing agency before you ride — you are responsible for compliance.
Trip support
Fuel, food & local help
Local fuel notes (5)
Green River is the answer — about 25 miles, straight up the access road and back onto I-70.
🚚 TOWING? Love's Travel Stop at 1810 W Main is a full travel center with diesel and pull-through lanes.
��️ Shady Acres closes at 11PM.
The Love's are 24 hours.
Moab is 48 miles the other way if you are coming from that side, but Green River is closer and easier.
Pump gas & diesel
🚚 Love's Travel Stop — 1810 W Main StfuelfoodGasolineDiesel
Green River — I-70, about 25 miles from the dunes · 1810 W Main St · (435) 564-8262 · open 24 hours · Full travel center — diesel, pull-through lanes and height for a toy hauler. The towing answer in Green River. Travel center — hot food as well as fuel, and room to park a rig.More
Green River — I-70, about 25 miles from the dunes · 1810 W Main St · (435) 564-8262 · open 24 hours · Full travel center — diesel, pull-through lanes and height for a toy hauler. The towing answer in Green River. Travel center — hot food as well as fuel, and room to park a rig.
Love's Country Store — 1775 W Main StfuelfoodGasoline
Green River — I-70, about 25 miles from the dunes · 1775 W Main St · (435) 564-3302 · open 24 hours. Travel center — hot food as well as fuel, and room to park a rig.More
Green River — I-70, about 25 miles from the dunes · 1775 W Main St · (435) 564-3302 · open 24 hours. Travel center — hot food as well as fuel, and room to park a rig.
COMING FROM THE WEST on I-70 — fill up here, before Crescent Junction · There is nothing at Crescent Junction where you turn south onto US-191, and nothing between there and Moab.More
COMING FROM THE WEST on I-70 — fill up here, before Crescent Junction · There is nothing at Crescent Junction where you turn south onto US-191, and nothing between there and Moab.
Fruita / Grand Junction, CO — last fuel EASTBOUND on I-70fuel
COMING FROM THE EAST on I-70 — fill up here, before Crescent Junction · Sams Club, Walmart Fuel and Maverik are all right off I-70. Nothing again until Moab.More
COMING FROM THE EAST on I-70 — fill up here, before Crescent Junction · Sams Club, Walmart Fuel and Maverik are all right off I-70. Nothing again until Moab.
Area information is informational only and may be inaccurate or out of date. Verify access, weather, closures, permits and hazards before and during any trip. See Terms.
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