Dugway, Utah: Your Gateway to the West Desert

Say "Dugway" to most Utahns and they think of one thing: the Army's Dugway Proving Ground, a testing installation that's been here since World War II. It's an active military base and not open for public visits — but don't let that stop you from exploring the area around it, because the drive out here is one of the most underrated stretches of road in the state.

What's Actually Out Here

From Rush Valley, State Route 199 climbs over Johnson's Pass through the Onaqui Mountains before dropping into the Dugway area — a scenic, lightly-trafficked drive with long views across the West Desert. This corridor is also the front door to some of Utah's best off-the-beaten-path attractions:

• The Onaqui wild horse herd, which ranges through the foothills between Rush Valley and Simpson Springs
• The historic Pony Express Trail, a graded backcountry byway that starts nearby and runs west across the desert
• Wide-open BLM land for hiking, photography, and stargazing, with almost no light pollution

Tips for Visiting

• Fuel up first. Tooele is the last reliable gas stop before you head west — don't count on services past Rush Valley.
• Cell service is spotty once you're past Dugway, so download offline maps ahead of time.
• Bring water and a full tank of common sense. This is high desert — hot and exposed in summer, and services are genuinely far apart.
• Respect the fenced boundary of the Proving Ground itself; the surrounding public land is what you're here for.

How Far Is It From Clover Creek Guest House

The Dugway corridor is about 25 miles from the guest house — roughly a 35–40 minute drive on SR-199, and you'll pass right through the Rush Valley countryside to get there.

Why Stay at Clover Creek

Most lodging near Dugway means a chain hotel back in Tooele. Clover Creek Guest House puts you in the actual landscape — a quiet farmhouse cottage in Rush Valley with room for the whole crew (sleeps 6, dog-friendly), full kitchen, and genuinely dark night skies once the sun goes down. It's the kind of home base that makes the drive out to the West Desert part of the trip, not a chore.

Curious about logistics? Check our FAQ for details on check-in, pets, and the area, or check availability for your dates.