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Goldstrike & Lone Pine Arch: UTV Guide to the Gunlock Backcountry
Updated November 2026
The backcountry around Gunlock, northwest of St. George, holds two great UTV destinations: the old Goldstrike mining district, reached on a long, easy loop that climbs above 6,000 feet, and Lone Pine Arch, a hidden arch in a red canyon off Motoqua Road. Here’s how to ride them.
At a glance
| Where | Around Gunlock and Gunlock State Park, northwest of St. George |
|---|---|
| Goldstrike loop | About 46 miles on mostly easy, full-width dirt roads; plan most of a day |
| Lone Pine Arch | About a 6-mile side trip off Motoqua Road |
| Elevation | Around 5,000 feet at the mines, topping out above 6,000 feet |
| Difficulty | Easy; rough and bumpy in places |
| Best season | Spring through fall |
The Goldstrike mining district
Prospectors found gold and silver here in the late 1800s, and production peaked around 1910 before the mines went quiet. A modern open-pit mine ran here from 1988 to 1993, and the district has been explored again in recent years. From Gunlock, the route heads north up Tobin Wash, crosses open desert and a scenic canyon, then climbs to the mine area with its layered yellow and white pit walls. Along the way you’ll pass the Veyo cinder cone and get long views across the high desert. The mine is private and may be active again, so view it from the road and don’t enter the pits.
Lone Pine Arch (Ripple Arch)
Lone Pine Arch, also called Ripple Arch, sits about halfway up a cliff in a secluded canyon called Red Hollow. To get there, take the dirt Motoqua Road, which leaves Old Highway 91 just west of the Gunlock turnoff and crosses the Shivwits Band of Paiutes reservation, then follow the side road to the arch. The road is bumpy, and a deep wash past the arch stops through traffic, so plan it as an out-and-back. Rock art in the area is protected; look but don’t touch.
Tips for a great ride
- Stay on the main road across the reservation; it’s closed to public use off the designated route.
- Start with a full tank. Services are limited past Gunlock and Veyo.
- Plan for no cell service in much of this area.
- Make a weekend of it with a boat day at Gunlock.
Ride Goldstrike with us
The Gunlock backcountry is a full-day adventure for riders who want old mines, quiet canyons and long, easy miles.
Ready for a backcountry day? Our UTVs are street legal, so you can drive right to the trailhead, or let a guide lead the way. Open every day, 7am to 10pm.
Drivers must be 18 or older with a valid driver’s license and must complete Utah’s free online OHV education course before riding. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and you only take it once.
More rides nearby
See our guides to Diamond Valley, Hell Hole Pass and the Joshua Tree trail.