Utah Picks for Moab Slickrock, Wasatch Canyons and Lake Powell Boat Ramps

Moab is one of the best-known off-road destinations in the country, with sandstone trails like Hell's Revenge and Fins and Things, plus long dirt roads through Canyonlands and Arches country. Slickrock gives enormous grip on dry rock and very little in wet or sandy spots, which is why tires and low range matter.

The Jeep Wrangler starts at $36,635. Jeep lists 12.9 inches of clearance for the four-door Rubicon on LT315 tires, with 4.0:1 Rock-Trac low range and locking differentials. The Moab 392, at $79,995, adds a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 hp. For an electric take on the same terrain, the Jeep Recon Moab, at $66,995, lists an estimated 222 miles, 9.1 inches of clearance and an electronically locking rear differential.

Remote trails are far from fuel and chargers, so pack extra water and a recovery strap, and plan the return trip before you set out.

Salt Lake City, Provo and the string of suburbs between them make up one long commute corridor along I-15. In winter, Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood canyons see heavy powder and frequent traction requirements on the way to the resorts. Check UDOT's road conditions and traction notices before every ski trip.

All-wheel or four-wheel drive and good tires make these canyons far more manageable. The Dodge Durango, from $43,875, makes all-wheel drive standard and has a third row. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, from $39,730, carries up to 70.8 cubic feet of cargo, and up to 84.6 in the three-row L. For a family hauling ski gear, the Chrysler Pacifica, from $41,595, offers up to 140.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with AWD on Select, Limited and Pinnacle.

On the commute itself, the Cherokee hybrid, from $35,130, is rated by Jeep at up to 37 mpg combined.

St. George sits in Utah's warmest corner, where summer highs are high and the landscape runs to red sandstone. It is also a gateway to Zion, Snow Canyon and Sand Hollow, where UTVs and side-by-sides are a way of life.

Heat shapes the same practical choices as elsewhere in the desert Southwest: ventilated seats on higher trims, light interiors, good tires and a healthy battery. For toy hauling, a half-ton such as the Ram 1500, from $42,575 and rated up to 11,530 lbs with the Hurricane six, handles most side-by-side trailers. The Jeep Gladiator, from $43,895, tows up to 7,700 lbs and gives you a bed for gear and coolers.

If you also drive the highway toward Las Vegas or Salt Lake, comfort on I-15 matters. The Grand Cherokee is rated 21 city and 26 highway with the 2.0-liter turbo, and offers a quieter, more refined cabin than most trail rigs.

Utah boaters tow to Lake Powell, Deer Creek, Utah Lake and Flaming Gorge, often over long grades and in heat. The ramp at the end is also steep, so a vehicle with solid braking and four-wheel drive helps when launching.

The Dodge Durango is the standout among SUVs: 7,200 lbs standard and 8,700 lbs with the Tow 'n Go package, from $43,875. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer starts at $65,000 and tows up to 10,000 lbs with seven or eight seats. For a bigger boat or a fifth-wheel camper, the Ram 2500 starts at $48,040, with up to 17,740 lbs towing with the HEMI and up to 20,000 lbs with the diesel.

Weigh the loaded boat and trailer, not just the hull, and add fuel, gear and passengers. Utah DMV and Division of Outdoor Recreation information covers registration questions for trailers and boats, so confirm those directly.