No matter which 2024 Jeep Wrangler you may be lusting after, Sand Hollow, Utah has got the perfect terrain to test it out. From coral-colored sand dunes and steep slick rock trails to gorgeous views and a 1,322-acre reservoir to park next to, the Sand Hollow State Park OHV area offers Jeep enthusiasts an ideal playground to drive the manufacturer’s latest models on challenging terrain with a stunning, unforgettable backdrop.

Jeep is currently on its fourth Wrangler iteration over its nearly 40-year model history. Its commitment to increased capability, comfort, and refinement is increasingly evident with the 2024 lineup. Though the most noticeable exterior change is its seven-bar grille and windshield-integrated hidden antenna (no more exposed tree branch catchers here), it’s the interior that had me smitten.

Interior Upgrades

Gone are the chunky dashboard and small infotainment screen. That design is replaced with refined lines and higher-quality interior finishes. A crisp, colorful 12.3-inch horizontal Uconnect 5 touchscreen center display is now a standard feature across all trim levels. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with the latest Android-based Uconnect software are included. They’re easy to use with the oversized screen.

The large touchscreen also features a factory-supplied Trails Offroad navigation app showcasing detailed bits of information on hundreds of trails throughout the United States. An upgradable subscription gives subscribers access to a full catalog of 3,000+ Trails Offroad routes, too.

Through Trails Offroad, users can learn about a trail’s difficulty, terrain type, obstacles, nearby points of interest, and more. I easily found tracks scattered all about the Sand Hollow State Park OHV area. I learned we had close proximity to Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

The 2024 Wrangler lineup also offers standard first- and second-row side-curtain airbags, available 12-way power-adjustable front seats, and standard forward collision warning on the Sport S model and above.

Jeep Wrangler Model Types

The 2024 gasoline-equipped Jeep Wrangler lineup starts at an MSRP of $31,895, excluding a $1,795 destination charge. They’re available in the Sport, Sport S, Willys, Sahara, and High Altitude trim level. A trio of off-road-ready Wrangler Rubicons are also offered: the base Rubicon (with a starting MSRP of $45,395), the Rubicon X combining the best on- and off-road upgrades into one package (new for 2024), and the V-8-powered fire-breathing Rubicon 392 which we all love.

For the first time, the Rubicon spread features a factory-available 8,000-pound WARN winch and a new Dana 44 HD full-float solid rear axle that will allow for larger tires and up to a 5,000-pound towing capacity. The new Rubicon X trim, starting at an MSRP of $54,895, comes standard with 35-inch tires, steel bumpers, and an integrated off-road camera. Rubicon X four-door models will come with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or 3.6-liter engine mated to an automatic transmission.

The ever-popular 4xe plug-in hybrid category also spreads its wings. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe now includes the following: Sport S 4xe (new for 2024), Willys 4xe, Sahara 4xe, High Altitude 4xe, Rubicon 4xe, and Rubicon X 4xe. The Sport S 4xe, starting at an MSRP of $49,995, showcases standard 20-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning. All Jeep Wrangler 4xe trim levels boast 21 miles of all-electric range and 49 MPGe, depending on the type of terrain you’re traversing.

Seeing Into the Future

“Jeep Wrangler 4xe models, along with a range of electrified powertrains, will play a role for the Jeep brand as it follows the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, in which electrified and more efficient propulsion systems help Stellantis cut its global carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 and lead the transportation industry by achieving net carbon zero by 2038,” states a Stellantis official auto manufacturer press release. “By the end of 2025, the entire North America Jeep brand lineup will be electrified. By 2030, 50% of Jeep brand sales in the United States will be battery-electric vehicles, and 100% of Jeep vehicles in Europe will be fully electric.”

Driving is Believing

Sand Hollow is an off-roader’s paradise. Not only is it picturesque, but it’s also a place of challenging terrain and unexpectedness. I started my drive day by hopping into a 2024 electrified Willys 4xe with Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. We spent the morning together as I drove us through the city streets of St. George on the way to the Sand Hollow State Park OHV area. With the soft top down and the doors off, the open-air freedom took hold as we drove down the highway in search of dirt, sunshine, and off-camber climbs. I actually piloted a 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe approximately 1,500 miles in desert terrain during last year’s 2023 Rebelle Rally so I’m familiar with its electrified nature off the beaten path.

Once we got to the mid-point staging area, we parted ways. I continued my quest to experience Sand Hollow’s unique landscape. Once I arrived at the off-road section, I swapped vehicles and drove a Rubicon 392 off-road. I wanted to test the gas-equipped 392 off-road. I wanted to see how it compared to the plug-in hybrid I drove some months earlier.

Both Jeep Wranglers were composed, confident, and extremely capable—no matter what type of terrain I drove over. The 392, though, is exceptionally powerful with 470 horsepower and a matching 470 pound-feet of torque. With that much power on tap, I was sure to employ careful finesse on tight trails. Each Wrangler easily chomped up and spit out any type of obstacle I set in front of it. That’s a trait honed by over 80 years of 4×4 manufacturing.

Utah’s Hidden Gem

Sand Hollow offers a wide variety of coral-hued rock formations and sandy sections. It also has tons of tricky obstacles that command a driver’s attention. Moab may be well known, but Sand Hollow, Utah, is just as challenging and beautiful in comparison. My time with each ’24 Wrangler was time well spent in this unique environment.

The Sand Hollow OHV park is easily accessible. It also has a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts of any age, skill, or type. Although this area is close to St. George and Hurricane, it gets hot in the summertime. Precautions should be taken accordingly. A day-use entry fee is required to use Sand Hollow State Park. You can purchase them in person or online. Advance camping reservations are recommended should you be interested in camping nearby while adventuring on the trails during the day. More information can be found on the Utah State Park’s website.

Sand Hollow a hidden gem for off-roaders and sand-dune goers. It’s also a haven for water-loving sports and beach-side activities, too. The closest largest airport is Las Vegas. Puddle jumpers also fly to St. George. In my opinion, there is so much to see in this area. A cross-country road trip is the best way to experience this area and beyond.

Photography by Mercedes Lilienthal