Silver Reef runs through the desert hills just northwest of Leeds, Utah, in the historic Silver Reef mining district. The route follows a dirt two-track down into a shallow drainage, passing old stone ruins and tailings from the Silver Reef silver mines along the way before dropping to a wash near the south end of the run. It is a mellow, low-commitment route that works well as an easy afternoon drive or a warm-up before tackling something harder in the area.
Trail Summary
- Location: Silver Reef area, northwest of Leeds, Washington County, Utah, off SR-228
- Distance: 7.5 miles
- Difficulty: Level 1 - Suitable for high clearance 2WD
- Minimum Elevation: 2,796 ft
- Maximum Elevation: 3,551 ft
- Elevation Gain: 424 ft
- Travel Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty
Suitable for high clearance 2WD
Stock equipment is sufficient and no special equipment is needed. The road is dirt and lightly rocky, with occasional dips and ruts under 5 inches. Grades are slight and traction is good throughout. The road stays wide enough for two vehicles to pass for most of its length.
Elevation
The route starts near 3,550 ft and works its way down to about 2,796 ft by the south end, a net drop of roughly 660 ft. Total climbing along the way adds up to about 424 ft as the road dips in and out of small drainages, while total descent comes to about 734 ft. There are no sustained climbs or high alpine sections here, just a gradual, steady loss of elevation as the trail follows the drainage south.
Terrain
This is desert and foothill terrain, typical of the Silver Reef mining district. Expect packed dirt and light rock through open sagebrush flats, with the road tracing the edge of a shallow canyon for part of the run. There are a few sandy stretches lower in the drainage. No technical obstacles, ledges, or water crossings are found on this route.
4WD Experience
A high clearance 4WD vehicle handles this route with no difficulty. There is nothing here to test articulation or traction under normal dry conditions. The main value of extra clearance is comfort over the occasional rut and rock, not necessity. After rain, the lower drainage sections could get greasy, so check conditions if wet weather has moved through recently.
Travel Time
The recorded run took about 40 minutes of moving time to cover 7.5 miles, averaging around 5 mph. For a high clearance 4WD vehicle driving at a relaxed pace with a few stops to look at the ruins and enjoy the views, plan on 45 to 60 minutes one way.
Highlights
The old stone ruins and mine tailings scattered along the route are remnants of the Silver Reef silver boom of the 1870s and 80s, a rare case of silver found in sandstone. The trail also offers open desert views across the low hills northwest of Leeds. The Silver Reef Museum and the more accessible ghost town walking tour sit just up the road, making it easy to pair this drive with a stop at the museum for more history.
Trail GPS File
Map