ATV Adventures: Riding at the Fall OHV Rally in Bullfrog Valley
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- Riding through the Narrows at Ticaboo.
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- Negotiating the canyons at the Rally in Bull Frog Valley.
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- Entering the Narrows at Ticaboo.
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- Riding the “Taste of Ticaboo” trail at the Rally in Bull Frog Valley.
While September offers the best RZR riding of the year, it also signals the end of the best part of the season for northern Utah. On the other hand, southern Utah is just entering its prime for riding trails. The people at North Lake Powell Recreation want to showcase these riding opportunities by hosting the Seventh Annual Fall OHV Rally on October 31 and November 1, 2025.
Registration is $50 and includes two days of guided rides, dinner Friday night, and a neck gator printed with a map of the Ticaboo Trails. Breakfast burritos are available for purchase on Friday and Saturday mornings, as well as lunches for the trail both days. A pulled-pork and ribs dinner closing the rally is also available for sale. All meals must be ordered by October 20, and the final registration deadline is October 30. Registration is available at https://northlakepowell.com/annual-ticaboo-fall-rally.
Deluxe rooms are available at the Ticaboo Lodge for the rally. If you prefer a more rustic experience, tent camping is available on-site. If you bring an RV, you can get a site with full hookups.
In addition, the rides will include commentary and information from Utah’s own paleontologist, Dr. Josh Lively. Dr. Lively is the museum curator for the Prehistoric Museum in Price. He will be on the rides to give interpretive discussions about the area’s geology and dinosaur history. It adds fun to the ride to have his expertise and knowledge. You will be impressed by what you will learn about dinosaurs.
Rides will also include some fossil hunting and rock hounding. You will find colorful specimens of coprolite (petrified dinosaur dung), gastroliths (dinosaur stomach stones), and the devil’s toenails. It will be easy to see reasons to return to this country and explore the hundreds of miles of trail offered in the Henry Mountain/Robber’s Roost Trail System.
Half of the registration money goes to support Dr. Lively’s museum. The donation from the rally is the largest donation to the museum during the year. This support goes to enhance programs offered to the public. Some of the evidence of dinosaurs on display in the museum has been found in the area in which you will be riding.
The rally opens on October 30 with check-in occurring throughout the day. Early arrivals will have a chance to ride trails not offered at the rally. One of my favorites is “The Narrows at Ticaboo.” It is a slot canyon wide enough to drive your machine through. Once you have experienced it, you will have something to talk about when you are kicking tires and making trail talk.
Staff will assist you with maps and directions for other non-rally trails, and there are some exciting ones available. Poison Springs Canyon is famous because of the activities of Butch Cassidy. It will take you through the Dirty Devil River and beyond. There is a beautiful trail that will take you through a fantastic array of monuments to Sunset Pass, and another will take you to Cedar Point and a breathtaking view of the Dirty Devil River Canyon, 2,000 feet below. North Lake Powell is a designated Dark Sky location. A night ride will give you a look at the sky and an experience you won’t soon forget.
Two guided rides are offered this year. The first ride, labeled “The Taste of Ticaboo,” focuses on the evidence of ancient creatures that once roamed the land. You will enjoy riding through red rock canyons against a dark blue sky. You will find Dr. Josh Lively on this trail. He will have a table set up with samples of dinosaur bones and other specimens. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and learn about dinosaur activity in this area. The things you learn will enable you to talk to your children and grandchildren about dinosaurs. When it comes to kids, it pays to be able to speak dinosaur.
The second ride makes a loop around Mt. Hiller. There are several interesting historical sites to visit along this trail. Mining is a part of the history you will learn about. You will also have the opportunity to see the historic Starr Ranch and learn about its rich history.
Rides will launch every 15 minutes from the Ticaboo Lodge starting at 8 a.m. This will keep the rides small and enjoyable. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, and enjoy the ride of a lifetime.
Lynn R. Blamires can be reached at quadmanone@gmail.com.
