knolls recreation area

Knolls Recreation Area is one of our favorite places to ride and camp. It's only 82 miles from Salt Lake City and 43 miles from Wendover, Nevada and The Bonneville Salt Flats. Located just off of I-80 in Utah's west desert with nearly 36,000 acres of sand dunes, hills, and mud flats, this place is the perfect OHV play area. The dunes are not as large like at Little Sahara but still fun. If your looking for speed the mud flats are the place, you can drive long distances on these flats and rarely feel a bump. For a casual ride you can explore the many Knolls (hills) which the area is named after. There are trails going in every direction, pick one and explore the desert at your own pace. However, while exploring this area be sure to stay in the boundaries. If you travel south you will come to a fence, if you cross this you will be entering the Dugway bombing range, not a good place to be. So stay in bounds and watch for the fences, which are clearly marked, and you'll be ok. There are meandering trails throught the hills with some decent hill climbs as well. Here at Knolls you have all kinds of diverse terrain to ride. We personally do not ride paddle tires here. The dunes are not that big and you are also riding in hard pack and rock pack as well. There is a fee of $6.00/per day per vehicle. The check in station is an envelope pay honor system. Bring cash and change. The place is patrolled by rangers and they will hassle you if you try to stay without paying. These fees are necessary in order for this place to stay open. All bikes, buggies or whatever must be stickered and have up to date registration. Once you enter you drive into the heart of the riding area on a graded dirt road and you can park and camp anywhere you wish. There are vault type out-houses closer to the road camp areas that are kept fairly clean most of the time. Many people choose to park way out in the desert flats. Here you would need to be fully self contained. There is no water available anywhere in the recreation area. You can have open campfires but wood with nails or pallets are not allowed (and they do check). You are responsible for all your trash and carting it out. There isn't much in the way of rules regarding quiet times. Gas or provisions are either at the first exit to Wendover at about 43 miles west on I-80 or the Sinclair station at Delle about 30 miles east on I-80. Fireworks are not allowed nor target shooting or hunting. Most weekends offer plenty of room to camp while the big weekends like Easter break, Memorial and Labor Day weekends will get fairly crowded. If you have been to Sand Mountain in Little Sahara is not nearly like that as far as crowds go. They do however host desert races from time to timeas well.From Salt Lake City take I-80 west about 82 miles and take exit 41. Turn left over highway and follow road as it turns right and continues west on the side road for about a couple miles until you see the entrance sign. Overall it is a great place for quick riding weekend with a bit of different terrain for everyone. And close enough for those one day excursions. You can internet search Knolls, Utah for other sources, pictures and information.