The sixth annual Green River Watermelon Crawl is a jamboree hosted by the city of Green River and the UTV Utah OHV Club. Instead of catering meals, riders are encouraged to support local businesses. Green River is a small community that thrives on events like this. So, plan for this UTV gathering, ride responsibly and explore the stunning landscapes surrounding the town of Green River.

The dates for the Watermelon Crawl are set for March 28-29, when the weather is good for riding. It is the first jamboree of the season. Registration will be online at https://www.greenriverwatermeloncrawl.com. Fees are $20 per vehicle per trail. Guides for the trails are being supplied by UTV Utah. The trails are rated from wild to mild on four different levels – expert, advanced, intermediate and beginner. They will have you either bragging or whimpering.

New trails in Grand County are being offered this year. Descriptions of the trails and ratings are given on a different website – https://www.greenriverwatermeloncrawl.com/trails.html. You will also see the GPS coordinates for the staging location for each ride.

These are some of the trail choices:

Photo supplied, Lynn Blamires

Behind the Reef

I rode this trail before I started writing articles in 2004. It requires trailering 42 miles from Green River to a spot north of Goblin Valley State Park. The route goes on a scenic loop along the backside of the San Rafael Reef. It encompasses scenery in the San Rafael Swell which is one of my favorite places to ride. This ride is 46 miles long and rated intermediate.

Buckmaster

Riders will ride west out of town from the Shady Acres Gas Station. The Buckmaster Trail starts from the point where Highway 24 joins Interstate 70 from the south. The trail goes north into the historic mining country and will continue north to Smith’s Cabin. This trail is fun for the whole family – it has a beginner rating and is 47 miles long.

Eagle Canyon

Photo supplied, Lynn Blamires

This trail is one of my favorites. Riders will trailer 31 miles to a staging area off Interstate 70. This trail features a stop at Swasey’s cabin where you will appreciate the difficulty Swasey had in earning a living in this harsh country. You will have a chance to visit the “icebox” where Swasey preserved his food. This is a place you would like to stay on a hot day.

A favorite stop on this trail is the Eagle Canyon Arch. It is a Kodak moment. You will also ride under the famous Eagle Canyon bridges that make it possible for the highway to cross Eagle Canyon. This trail is rated advanced and is 39 miles long.

Dry Lakes

This ride begins at the Shady Acres Gas Station in Green River and makes a loop on the south side of town. Green River is famous for its cold-water geysers with the Crystal Geyser being on the banks of the Green River being the most well-known. People on this ride will visit two of them. It is 71 miles long and is rated intermediate.

The Devil’s Race Track

Photo supplied

The race track is not fast; it is a trail filled with challenges for which UTVs were created. Sections of the trail will have you crawling through some amazing landscape, but you will have to stop to appreciate it. Trailering is required. It is 40 miles long and rated extreme.

Butterfly

You will ride directly from town on this trail on the south side. I have ridden these trails and the scenery is like you have landed on another world. The trail makes a loop that takes you through rocky canyons and amazing landscapes. It is one of the reasons I like to ride the Green River Trails. It is rated intermediate and it is 46 miles long.

Lost Springs

I am interested in this ride because I haven’t ridden trails in this area. The trailhead is 12 miles north of town off Highway 6. It will be on trails east of the San Rafael Swell. It is rated advanced on a 39-mile loop.

Descriptions of the new rides will be available when you register. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down and return for watermelons in the fall.