Colorado Riverway Recreation Area
The Colorado Riverway encompasses the public lands along the Colorado River. A number of activities take place in this red rock haven, including river running, technical rock climbing, scenic drives, hiking, cycling, picnicking, and wildlife watching. The Colorado Riverway includes the Public Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the following areas:
- Along the Colorado River and Utah Highway 128 from Dewey Bridge to U.S. 191
- Along the Colorado River and Utah Highway 279 from Moab Valley to Potash
- Along Kane Creek Road from Moab Valley to the block of State land south of Hunter Canyon
Recreational Opportunities
 Fisher Towers along Scenic Byway 128 |
Scenic Drives
Utah's Colorado Riverway is a scenic wonderland of
colorful cliffs, river-carved canyons, lush bottom lands, and massive
sandstone spires. Highways 128 and 279 are both Utah Scenic Byways.
Picnic Facilities
Picnic facilities are available along Utah Highway
128 at Lion's Park, Big Bend Recreation Site, and Hittle Bottom. No permits
or fees are required for day use at these sites.
Hiking Trails
Along Utah Highway 128, improved hiking trails provide
access to scenic Fisher Towers and Negro Bill Canyon. The Portal Overlook
Trail (which starts at JayCee Park and is also used by mountain bikers)
and Corona Arch Trail are located along Utah Highway 279. From the Kane
Creek Road, the Moab Rim OHV Trail takes hikers to an excellent viewpoint
of Moab Valley and the unimproved Hunters Canyon Trail follows a seasonal
stream along the bottom of a serpentine canyon bottom.
Mountain Bike Trails
Mountain bike routes accessible from the Riverway
include: Kokopelli's Trail, the Onion Creek Road, and the Porcupine Rim
Trail (bottom) from Utah Highway 128; the Poison Spider Mesa, Long Canyon,
and Potash trails from Utah Highway 279, and the Moab Rim, Pritchett
Canyon, and Hurrah Pass trails from the Kane Creek Road.
Off-highway Vehicle Trails
The trailheads for several four-wheel
drive trails are located within the Riverway. These trails provide access
to Poison Spider Mesa, Long Canyon, the Moab Rim, and Pritchett Canyon.
The Potash Trail, which begins at the western end of Utah Highway 279,
goes along a bench below Dead Horse Point State Park to the Shafer and
White Rim Trails in Canyonlands National Park. The Onion Creek Road can
be driven in dry conditions with a high clearance vehicle. The Kane Creek
Canyon trails, may be driven with care by visitors with passenger cars
to where it crosses Kane Creek.
River Running
Rafting, kayaking, and canoeing take place on the Colorado
River from late spring through early fall. From Dewey Bridge to Onion
Creek the river is calm. There are rapids from Onion Creek to Big Bend
Recreation Site. Depending on season and flows, you may encounter rapids
ranging from Class I to Class IV. From Big Bend Rapid to Potash at the
western end of the Riverway, there are no rapids, but there is a fast
water section for about 1/2 mile below Big Bend. Launch areas (upstream
to downstream) are located at: Dewey Bridge, Hittle Bottom, Rocky Rapid,
Sandy Beach, Take-out Beach, and the Moab Boat Dock (opposite Lion's
Park on the north side of the river). The Potash Boat Ramp at MGM Bottom,
located about 2 miles below the potash plant, is the last take-out above
Hite on Lake Powell.
Camping
Camping is permitted only at improved sites with camping facilities managed for overnight use and at designated, undeveloped camp sites. Camping at all sites is limited to 14 days within a 30 day period. Fees are charged for campgrounds and semi-developed campsites.
- Campgrounds have graveled roads, toilets, tables, parking areas, fire rings with grills, information boards, and self-service pay stations.
- Semi-developed Camping Areas have simple toilets, metal fire rings, parking barriers, an information board and self-service pay stations.
- Designated, Undeveloped Camping Areas - Designated, undeveloped camping areas are identified by brown flexible posts with tent symbols. No facilities are provided at these sites except for fire rings. Primitive camping is allowed only at these designated locations. Portable toilets are required for these sites.
- Group Sites - The group sites at Goose Island and Big Bend, on Utah Highway 128, and Goldbar, on Utah Highway 279 are available on an advance reservation basis. Group Camping Information
- Commercial Campgrounds and Lodging - Public land camping is limited. To assure yourself of a space, consider making a reservation at a private campground or lodging establishment in the Moab area.
Click here for a complete list of BLM camping areas.
Disabled Persons Access
Accessible group areas, campsites and day-use facilities are being developed at the Big Bend Recreation Site. Construction of an accessible viewpoint is planned at Fisher Towers. Call the Moab BLM office for status, at (435) 259-2100. Campgrounds and most developed day-use sites have accessible toilets. Access to these toilets and adjacent parking is not difficult at most sites.
Drinking Water
Treated drinking water is not available anywhere within the Riverway. Matrimony Spring, located along Utah Highway 128 just upstream from the Colorado River Bridge, is a source of untreated water. All untreated water should be filtered or chemically treated prior to drinking.
Day Use Areas
No overnight camping is permitted at:
- Negro Bill Canyon Trailhead
- Big Bend Beach & Picnic Area
- Take-out Beach
- Sandy Beach
- Rocky Rapid
- Hittle Bottom (outside of the camping area)
Special Rules
When visiting the Riverway, please follow these rules:
- Camping is permitted only at improved recreation sites with facilities managed for overnight use and at designated undeveloped campsites.
- Portable toilets are required for overnight use of designated, undeveloped campsites. Toilets may include either a washable, reusable toilet system such as a "porta-pottie", or in the case of recreational vehicles, a holding tank.
- Solid human body waste must be disposed of out of the Riverway using authorized sewer systems, i.e., at recreational vehicle dump stations or by flushing down sewer lines.
- Visitors must pack out all trash and dispose of it properly.
- Campfires are limited to metal fire rings at improved sites and existing rock rings at designated, undeveloped sites. Barbecue grills and metal fire pans may also be used. Do not put cans, bottles, aluminum foil, and other non-burnable items into your fire as these items foul the fire pit. Do not extinguish a campfire with soil as it will make it difficult for the next visitor to use the same fire ring. Allow wood to burn to ash and douse the fire with water, then stir it until it is completely out. Fire pans should be at least 24 inches in diameter and have a 3 inch lip. Set the pan on rocks a couple of inches above the ground so that the heat from the fire does not scar the soil. Take care of cold ashes by transferring them to a trash bag for proper disposal.
- Wood collection for fires is limited to drift wood.
- Vehicle use is limited to existing roads and trails. Drivers must adhere to posted travel restrictions. The creation of new informal travel routes is unsightly and ecologically destructive. Take care to avoid crushing fragile cryptobiotic soil (the black or brown crusty "stuff" between the rocks and vegetation). This soil nurtures vegetation and reduces erosion.
These rules are necessary to maintain the quality of the Riverway as a recreation destination and for public health and safety. Violators may be cited.
Be Safe, Not Sorry
- Swimming in the Colorado River is not recommended due to currents and hidden hazards. If you must swim, wear a life jacket.
- Never dive into the river. Underwater hazards are hidden by the muddy water.
- Take a hat, sunscreen and clothing appropriate for the weather and planned activities.
- Drink plenty of water during warm weather.
- Be wary of the Riverway's natural hazards, such as cliff rims, steep slopes, and thorny plants. Rattlesnakes and scorpions exist in the area, but are seldom seen. All snakes should be avoided, not killed.
Consider participating in a guided group event or outing. Guides can provide the equipment needed for low-impact use, and they are familiar with the terrain and available activities.
Canoe picture courtesy of Robert F. Riberia