Welcome to Raven Run — a thrilling 7-day side-by-side adventure through the heart of Southwestern Utah’s red rock country. This loop-style ride takes you deep into the wild, from Moab’s iconic slickrock to the hidden canyons of the San Rafael Swell, the alpine forests of Fishlake and Dixie, and the remote ridgelines of the Henry Mountains. It's the ultimate off-road experience for riders who crave rugged trails, stunning scenery, and the spirit of true exploration.

🏜️ Raven Run: A Red Rock Expedition

7-Day Side-by-Side Adventure Across Southwestern Utah

Raven Run is a bold 7-day side-by-side (UTV) expedition through the heart of Southwestern Utah’s legendary red rock country. Designed as a loop-style ride, it combines high-adrenaline terrain with some of the most breathtaking scenery the American West has to offer.

From Moab’s world-famous slickrock to the remote ridgelines of the Henry Mountains, Raven Run delivers an unforgettable balance of challenge, discovery, and wilderness immersion.

📍 Ride Highlights

• Moab’s Top Trails
  Start strong with the two best routes in Moab — a technical, scenic introduction to the red rock playground.
  
  

• Valley of the Gods
  Ride among towering sandstone buttes and peaceful desert expanses in this stunning and often-overlooked valley.
  
  

• Manti-La Sal National Forest
  Climb into cool, forested highlands with sweeping views of the canyons below.
  
  

• Lockhart Basin
  Experience one of Utah’s most rugged corridors, filled with cliffs, ledges, and serious off-road drama.
  
  

• San Rafael Swell & Devil’s Racetrack
  Navigate the vast geologic domes, slot canyons, and technical rock sections of the Swell, capped off by the wild Devil’s Racetrack.
  
  

• Fishlake & Dixie National Forests
  Enjoy lush alpine scenery, mountain lakes, and cool forest trails in this midweek change of pace.
  
  

• Henry Mountains
  Venture into remote country known for wild bison herds, dramatic elevations, and rarely traveled paths.
  
  

• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
  Finish strong with desert ridgelines and surreal views of Lake Powell and its intricate canyon systems.
  
  

🧭 Rider Profile & Vehicle Needs

This ride is built for intermediate to advanced side-by-side riders. The route features a variety of terrain — from rock crawling to high-speed dirt roads to remote wilderness crossings. Riders should bring a well-equipped UTV with high clearance, off-road tires, navigation tools, and extra fuel capacity.

🎯 Why Ride Raven Run?

Raven Run is more than a ride — it's a journey across Utah’s most diverse and iconic landscapes. It’s for those who crave solitude, thrill, and the kind of natural beauty that stays with you long after the dust settles.

Like the raven, you’ll soar over slickrock, through forests, and across forgotten trails — free and fearless in the red rock wild.

Ride Signup info: 

The cost to join this 7 day ride is $1395 for a single rider.  This covers your lodging for the 7 nights during the ride.  Hotel rooms are double occupancy. This also covers your ride packets which include custom Garmin GPS maps on a micro SD card and printed ride maps and descriptions.

The cost to join this 7 day ride is $1,895 for a Rider and Passenger.  This covers your lodging for the 7 nights during the ride.  You will receive a double hotel room, meaning it will have two beds.  This also covers your ride packets which include custom Garmin GPS maps on a micro SD card and printed ride maps and descriptions.

Now taking signups: You can now reserve your spot on this ride by leaving a $200 Deposit for a single rider or a $300 deposit for a rider and passenger. (Ride limit is 18)

After your signup riders will receive an email from me with further ride information and instructions.

Note: 

Riders must make 50% payment by December 20th, 2025.

Riders must make full payment by February 25th, 2026.

Riders will receive ride packets in the mail one week before the ride.

Refund Policy

Your ride deposit is fully refundable until the 50% payment date above.  We encourage riders to make their deposit early in order to ensure they will get a spot on the ride and to begin working on you own ride arrangements.  After making your ride deposit, you will be connected with the other riders in order to coordinate any plans or discussions you may have.  And to just have fun developing plans with the other riders.  If your plans change, you will receive a full refund until the 50% payment due date above.

Ride Details

 I know many of you also enjoy dreaming about the ride and making your plans, so here is the detail, enjoy! 

Legend of the Red Raven

As told by the wind that speaks through the canyon walls...

Long before riders carved tracks through red sand and stone, and before maps knew the names of cliffs and mesas, the canyons of Southern Utah were watched over by a guardian spirit — a great Red Raven with wings as wide as the desert sky and feathers the color of burning sandstone at dusk.

The elders of the ancient tribes knew her name: Cháʼííʼ Łichííʼʼígíí — the Crimson Raven. She was no ordinary bird, but a shape-shifting spirit, born of fire, wind, and the silent stone. They say she was created by the First Light, sent to watch over the sacred crossings where sky and earth touch.

The Red Raven flew from the Valley of the Gods to the Henry Mountains, resting only in the shadows of buttes where no man dared to camp. Her cry — sharp and echoing through stone — was both a warning and a welcome, depending on a traveler’s heart.

Many tales tell of her deeds:

• In the Lockhart Basin, she once led a lost warrior through a maze of canyons, only to vanish when he found water.
  
  

• In the San Rafael Swell, riders have heard her call just before desert storms, as if she cried to stir the sky.
  
  

• In the Fishlake Forest, she is said to have perched upon the oldest aspen, turning its leaves red with her presence.
  
  

But the Raven’s true purpose was balance. She watched the land — not to stop man, but to remind him: You do not conquer the desert, you travel with it.

It is said that if you see her shadow pass over the trail, you are being tested. If your ride is true — if your heart respects the dust, the stone, and the silence — she will guide you.

And when the sun sets and the cliffs burn with light, the Red Raven takes flight again, silent as dusk, waiting to meet the next soul bold enough to enter her domain.

This ride requires street licensed vehicles

How does the ride navigation work?

This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own.  You are responsible for your own riding.  You will be given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit.  People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together.  You are not encouraged to ride alone.  You are responsible for your own riding and yourself. 

 (see my ride Navigation Video) 

Are you right for this ride?

When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help?  You should be in the more likely to offer help camp.  This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help.  Additionally there is all the normal stuff, come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.

How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?

I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride. They come from much of what I and others have ridden.  I take the best from all my rides and make new ones. 

(See my Custom Ride Maps Video) 

Note from me, gpsKevin

My goal for this ride is simple, great riding, so you can count on great routes and places to ride.

But in addition: the ride is about discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of northwest Baja.

Thanks

gpsKevin

FAQ's

Q:What will the weather be like this time of year?

A: In February, the weather is most often nice, could be a little hot in the lower elevations and it can be cold in the morning and in the mountains.  But sometimes there can be rain. Wet and muddy routes can force us to change our plans.  Come prepared with extra gear for cold and wet.

Q: Would this be a good ride for new riders?

A:  No, this ride is for intermediate and experienced riders only. The riding has easy route choices and tough route options. Each evening we will study the following day's choices. You will find lots of supportive people at the ride.

Q: What are motel room arrangements?

A: Rooms are double occupancy, meaning each couple or family shares a two bed room.

Q; What do I do if I don't have a Garmin GPS?

A: Buy one, you need it, we will show you how to use it. You can get a great one for under $200 bucks. ( See gpsKevin's gps recommendations)

Q: Is the riding really on my own?

A: Yes, but almost everyone hooks up and rides with a friend, or a new friend or me.