Renting an off-road SUV or AWD Jeep in Salt Lake City

Hi there, I’m looking to find a company at Salt Lake City airport that rents vehicles for gravel roads: Burr Trail, Cottonwood Canyon, etc. Thanks

Hi there, I’d like to find a company at Salt Lake City airport that rents vehicles for gravel roads: Burr Trail, Cottonwood Canyon, etc. Thanks!

You can check out BSP Auto for a full range of options. Or any other rental company, really.

If that’s what you’re asking, none of the major rental companies allow driving on gravel roads—it’s an old issue. You’ll need to go through small local companies that rent Jeeps (maybe Epic Rental in SLC), but you *must* confirm upfront that they can provide insurance for a European tourist because it’s absolutely not a given (Americans are covered by their personal auto insurance). In Moab, Cliffhanger offered CDW as an option.

Hi there, thanks!

I found this: Rugged Rental allows Jeep Wranglers (and all 4WD vehicles we rent) on graded roads only. This includes pavement, gravel, and dirt roads or trails that are well maintained.

Hi there, What does a "grated road" refer to?

Good evening What does a "grated road" correspond to?

Gravel roads

"gravel" = gravel "grated" = grated (cheese) 😁

Well, that doesn't tell me much more... I know what gravel is... Graded for a road or a track? I don't get what it is??

And this is interesting, but you’ve gotta be sure about what the SLI actually covers.

a typo

I also found Alamo has Jeep Wranglers with Damage Waiver and Supplemental Liability Protection included, plus a spare tire. You can add Personal Effects Coverage + Roadside Assistance PLUS.

Without going into too much detail:

LDW or CDW = covers the vehicle SLI or ALI = covers third-party damage

But these insurances still need to be valid on trails. Alamo doesn’t allow driving on trails—even with Jeeps. Same goes for Avis, Hertz, Dollar, National... https://www.alamo.com/en/customer-support/car-rental-faqs/insurance-coverage-options/collision-damage-waiver.html

On the other hand, Rugged Rentals might allow it (make sure to get the optional coverage). A quick call or email wouldn’t hurt to clarify what’s permitted. Off-road is definitely a no-go, but maintained trails in Escalante might be okay—though there are probably exclusions for the roughest ones.

I called Alamo SLC and they allow Jeeps on gravel roads.

Hi there. Do you have a confirmation email from Alamo?

For 13 years running in the USA, I’ve rented pickups to drive on trails—always with Alamo, booking through SynnyCars.be or Drive-USA.de. I do this with full awareness and take responsibility for it.

By stating that trails are off-limits, they absolve themselves of any towing or recovery costs. The only exception: if the access to your accommodation (e.g., a campsite) involves a short stretch of unpaved road. If you break down in Cathedral Valley, White Pocket, or anywhere else, the bill’s on you: $1,000 to $1,500 for towing. The only rental company that allows it is Rugged, with their own insurance. If you do rent, getting the Jeep isn’t guaranteed. It’s always listed as “or similar.” Check if you have what you need to change a tire. Have a great day. Jacques.

Be cautious with information given over the phone by Alamo... They’re not reliable at all. As far as I know, rental cars from agencies aren’t allowed off-road. I can confirm this because I had an issue with my Jeep last September, and the guy from the Alamo agency in St. George (Utah) really stressed that it’s forbidden off-road!...

That said, everyone does it... it’s up to you to figure things out if there’s a problem getting the vehicle back on a road 😉

Hi everyone, First of all, thanks for your really nice feedback. This is the 7th time I’ve visited the American West, and I’m still not tired of it, but I haven’t yet tried long gravel roads. 1 I misused the term "off-road"—"gravel" is more accurate. Actually, my plan includes Cathedral Road, Factory Butte and Moonscape, Goblins, Burr Trail, Hole in the Rock (partially), Cottonwood Canyon, and Yant Flat. 2 I’ll do White Pocket with a guide because of the deep sand, and I don’t have much experience aside from Sossusvlei in Namibia. 3 I know we won’t get rescued, but I have the addresses and phone numbers of 4 companies near the places I’m going. 4 I’m renting a satellite phone in SLC in case there’s no cell reception. 5 As for the choice between Alamo and Rugged, the latter responded to me in writing, but I couldn’t get in touch with Alamo by email.

Getting towed is a hassle, but the much more serious risk I refuse to take is injuring—or worse—someone in an accident and ending up without insurance (and, incidentally, breaking the law). I’d trust Rugged Rentals’ written clauses more than Alamo’s phone operator.

In the same vein, I gave up on booking a lodge in the Canadian Rockies this summer because it’s located by a long dirt road (easy and well-traveled).

My experience is limited, but I’ve driven Cottonwood Canyon in Escalante and quite a few others in the area. In good weather, it’s easy. Watch out for jackrabbits!

Thanks Olivier, I also take a ton of precautions—it costs a certain price if you don’t need it, but it gives you peace of mind. I’m going with Rugged Rental, but I just emailed them because in Africa I’m used to zero excess, and here I see: *Collision Insurance for the rental vehicle. Covers the rental vehicle for up to $20,000 in damages after a $250 deductible per incident.* So I’m not sure if that covers total loss. Louis

Cathedral Road, Factory Butte and Moonscape, Goblins, Burr Trail, Hole in the Rock (partially), Cottonwood Canyon, and Yant Flat

Out of all these trails, there’s no problem doing any of them. Maybe a little trickier for Hole in the Rock if it rains.

White Pocket is doable with a 4x4 only. I did it in September and had a blast.

Oh, I forgot to mention that the Yant Flat trail was redone not long ago and it's really clean now.

The toughest one I did in September was the trail to Toroweep Overlook. The last few kilometers are pretty rough, and the Hole in the Rock section leading to Reflection Canyon.

Thanks! I thought the trail to White Pocket was deep sand.

If we do White Pocket, is there any point to Yant Flat?

From Rugged Rental: If you're on a dirt road and run into any issues, you'll need to call an off-road towing service.

Not surprising, but at least it's clear.

Yes, White Pocket has deep sand. 4x4 is mandatory, but it's easy with a 4x4—no problem.

White Pocket and Yant Flat are really different. I think both sites are definitely worth seeing. We should take advantage of the fact that access is free for both places... it won’t last.

Be careful, there are two sites at Yant Flat itself. You’ll want to head toward the Candy Cliffs, which are way more impressive.

I use AllTrails for hikes—everything is well-marked there.

Hi Louis,

You should get in touch with Mycovtt—he’s been renting from Rugged Rentals for years and has had breakdowns before. He can tell you more about it.

As for all the trails you mentioned, we’ve done them all over the years with different vehicles, usually 4x4s, but I think we’ve also used AWD (Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Rogue, Cadillac Escalade, and Toyota 4Runner). We take the risk since rental companies don’t normally allow gravel roads… but so far, no problems 😉

Thanks for the info. I’m renting a Jeep Renegade 4WD, so in theory no problem as you say, but I’d seen on a site that some 4WDs got stuck in deep sand on Peekaboo Slot Canyon near Kanab. I’ve got OutlookActive and AllTrails but haven’t activated them. As for Yant Flat, it’ll be a choice with The Narrows depending on water levels and any possible storms.

Ughhhh! Damn! Between Alamo not guaranteeing anything and Rugged Rentals having mechanical breakdowns, I’m gonna end up staying in Europe. Thanks

Oh no no, when I said he had breakdowns, it’s because he got stuck on a gravel road and had to call their services, and I think it went really well! ;) Ask him!

😎Phew, you reassure me!

Hi everyone,

After thoroughly exploring car rental companies, it turns out that Rugged Rentals will be my choice because they guarantee the type of vehicle and allow driving on gravel roads and well-maintained trails. They offer optional CDW and SLP coverage up to $1,000,000 and assure me that with these insurances, I’m fully covered: *You will be fully covered with both of our insurances. Kind regards, Office Staff* Additionally, they have great ratings on various sites.

The only restriction for me: I’ll rent an AWD SUV instead of a Jeep due to the price, and since I started visiting the West in 1999, prices have really skyrocketed!

Thanks to everyone for your feedback, and I’ll be back to share my experience.

In my opinion, the Jeep Renegade might be a bit low for White Pocket, actually. It’s true that some spots have a lot of sand. The Jeep Wrangler handles it just fine, but I think it’s taller.

Yep, I can confirm—I checked out the photos of the Jeep Renegade. Don’t take it to White Pocket; it’s too low in some spots, especially toward the end where there’s a big descent (and a big climb back up 😅). You’ll risk scraping the undercarriage.

Huge thanks for all your tips. I’ll book a photographer for a late-afternoon session at White Pocket for sunset.

You're in for a treat!...

I was lucky enough to win the Wave lottery and I'm excited to see White Pocket. In my plans for Kanab: Wahweap & Toadstool Hoodoos, Paria Townsite, Red Rock Slot Canyon, and either The Narrows or, if not possible, Yant Flat. And of course, arriving in Kanab via Cottonwood Canyon Road.

I've already done Bryce twice, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the North Grand Canyon Rim, South Coyote Buttes, and Lake Powell.

How lucky, I've been trying to go to The Wave for 20 years. Unfortunately, I've never won the lottery... 🙁

Yeah, I got lucky—I’d love to go back but I don’t think it’ll happen, which won’t stop me from checking at the visitor center to see...