Scenic Drives in the Moab Area
Touring the Moab area in an automobile? The following auto tours will take you through some of the most spectacular scenery in the area. Arches, canyons, the Colorado River gorge, mountain vistas, petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks - these routes have it all!
Scenic Byway 128 & La Sal Mountain Loop Road
Time Required
4 hours round trip
- Usually open from May through October
Introduction
Colorado River Scenic Byway 128 starts
two miles north of Moab on US 191. As the byway follows the Colorado River,
it passes Negro Bill Canyon then several locations where western movies
and commercials have been filmed. One of these sites is Castle Rock, the
finger-like spire visible for several miles past the Castle Valley junction,
where several memorable automobile commercials were filmed in the 70's.
About halfway along the route, Fisher Towers loom 1500 feet above the valley
floor. A picnic area and hiking trail are located at the Towers. This byway
continues northeast and crosses the Colorado River on the new Dewey Bridge.
The old one-lane suspension bridge, built in 1916 and used until 1986,
was destroyed by fire in 2008. Next, travel
across the open desert to I-70 at the west Cisco interchange, or turn around
at the Dewey Bridge and return to Moab. This byway is 44 miles long. This
route can also be coupled with the La Sal Mountain Loop road for a spectacular
half day adventure. This route is described below.
Description
The La Sal Mountain Loop tour features a wide
variety of canyon country scenery. The 60-mile long route begins by following
the Colorado River, then it approaches the La Sal Mountains via Castle
Valley. The route through the Manti-La Sal National Forest offers great
views of the 12,000 foot plus peaks and the red rock canyons far below.
Completion of the loop brings the motorist back to Moab via U. S. Highway
191.
Drive north from Moab on U.S. Highway 191 and turn right onto Scenic Byway 128 just before the bridge. Arches National Park is located along the north side of the river.
Negro Bill Canyon's small stream meets the Colorado 3 miles up-river from the bridge. This canyon is well known for its hiking opportunities. Big Bend Recreation Site, located about 6 miles east of the U.S. 191/UT 128 junction, offers access to the river, a nice beach, camping, disabled access facilities and a picnic area. Swimming in the river is not recommended.
At the Castle Valley road, you can either turn right and follow the main loop tour or take a side trip along Utah Highway 128 to Fisher Towers (5.6 miles) and the historic Dewey suspension bridge (15 miles).
Driving up Castle Valley, the Priest and Nuns and Castle Rock are situated on your left about 4 miles from Scenic Byway 128. If these formations look familiar, it's because they have been "in the movies." The La Sal Mountain Loop Road turnoff is 11 miles from Scenic Byway 128. Turn right.
As you enter the National Forest, notice how the vegetation changes as you gain elevation. Pinyon and juniper trees give way to oak, then to larger pines and aspen. The highest timbered areas are covered with spruce and fir.
Be sure to stop at the overlooks along the road. A 5-mile long graded dirt side road leads to the Forest Service campground at Warner Lake. The campground has drinking water, toilets, picnic tables, and fire grills. (Camping and picnic fees charged.)
After the Warner Lake turnoff, the Loop Road descends into Mill Creek Canyon and then climbs again before starting its descent to Moab. The tour route rejoins U.S.Highway 191 south of Moab.
Utah Scenic Byway 279 (Potash Road)
Time Required
Allow 2 hours round trip
Introduction
Potash Scenic Byway 279 follows the Colorado
River past Indian petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks and arches. It starts three
miles north of Moab on US 19 1. Points of interest along the route are
marked and pull-outs are provided. The canyon widens beyond Jug Handle
Arch, revealing the sheer cliffs below Dead Horse Point State Park. The
paved road ends at the Moab Salt Plant, where potash is extracted. This
byway is 34 miles round-trip.
Description
Begin the tour by driving north across the Colorado
River bridge on U.S. Highway 191 and then turning left onto Scenic Byway
279. In 2 miles, the road passes through the Colorado River Portal, and
enters a narrow canyon. Altogether, the highway follows the north bank
of the river for 17 miles.
The Moab area is known for its abundance of Indian rock art. Petroglyphs were carved on cliff faces during prehistoric times. The tour features several petroglyph panels with many individual carvings depicting symbolic animals and anthropomorphs. A late afternoon start is rewarding as the sunset on the reddish-orange sandstone cliffs along the route is especially beautiful on the return drive to Moab.
After passing through the Portal, JayCee Park recreation site is the first point of interest. This small site has walk-in campsites. Hikers may want to try the 1.5 mile trail to the Portal Overlook which starts at the park. Mountain bikers also use this trail.
Farther downriver, two "Indian Writings" signs indicate the location of petroglyph panels. An interpretive sign provides additional information. Visitors stopping at the "Dinosaur Tracks" turnout will find two view tubes adjacent to the highway about 150 feet beyond the turn off to the Poison Spider Mesa Trail. The first tube points to the location of a series of three-toed dinosaur tracks. The second tube shows another petroglyph panel. Binoculars are required for a close view.
Next, Scenic Byway 179 passes the Corona Arch trailhead. Corona Arch, which has a 140-foot by 105-foot opening, and nearby Bow Tie Arch, may be reached via the 1.5-mile long hiking trail.
Descriptively named, Jug Handle Arch is adjacent to the highway. It is 46 feet high and only 3 feet wide. After Jug Handle Arch, the canyon bottom widens. The sheer cliffs of Dead Horse Point State Park are visible above the Moab Salt plant. Potash, a mineral used as a fertilizer, and salt are extracted in solution at this facility by flushing large volumes of water through an extensive system of tunnels. The auto tour ends at this point. Ahead, an oiled road leads to a boat launch and then continues as a rough, dirt, two-wheel drive, high clearance, route into Canyonlands National Park. Backcountry permits are required for overnight stays in the park.
Arches National Park
Time Required
Allow 3 hours for introduction
Description
The visitor center and entrance to Arches
National Park are located 5 miles north of Moab along U.S.Highway 191.
Arches National Park, known for its dramatic rock formations, includes
massive sandstone buttes and walls, petrified dunes, meandering canyons,
balanced rocks, and soaring arches. The scenic park highway is 18 miles
long. Entrance fees are charged.
From the visitor center, the highway climbs several switchbacks while presenting views of Moab Canyon and adjacent cliffs. Major points of interest along the first half of the road include Park Avenue and Balanced Rock. From Balanced Rock, a paved road leads to the Windows Section of the Park. This area features the Cove of Caves, Parade of Elephants, Turret Arch, the North and South Window Arches, and the fabulous Double Arch. While the arches are visible from the road, they are best viewed from the short walking trails leadIng from the parking areas.
Beyond Balanced Rock, the main park road continues to the road leading to the Delicate Arch trailhead and historic Wolfe Ranch. From the Delicate Arch turnoff, the Park road travels past Fiery Furnace and Skyline Arch to end at the Devils Garden trailhead. Landscape Arch, an incredibly long and slender span, is an easy 1 mile stroll from the trailhead.
Visitors may obtain a detailed Arches National Park auto tour brochure at the visitor center. The Devils Garden Campground and picnic area are located near the end of the main Park road. Evening campfire programs are presented at the campground several times per week in season. Camping fees are charged.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is divided by the Colorado and Green Rivers. Surrounding the rivers are three vast and very different regions of the Park: to the north, Island in the Sky; to the east, the Needles; and to the west, the Maze. This brochure describes routes along paved roads in the Island in the Sky and Needles Districts. Information about the Maze and additional travel routes is available from Canyonlands National Park. Entry fees are charged.
Island in the Sky District
Time Required
Allow 4 hours for introduction.Description
To reach the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, drive north from Moab 9 miles and turn west onto Utah Highway 313. Highway 313 quickly climbs out of Seven Mile Canyon. The highway travels across a plateau before reaching the turnoff to Dead Horse Point State Park. Continue on the main road toward the Canyonlands National Park visitor center near "The Neck." Be sure to stop at the nearby view point and look down upon the Shafer Trail.The "Island" gets its name from the fact that, with the exception of the narrow route across The Neck, this huge mesa is isolated from the canyons below by towering cliffs. Major places of interest to the visitor include Grand View Point, Green River Overlook, and Upheaval Dome. From Grand View Point, one can look out over Monument Basin, the White Rim, and the vicinity of the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers. From the Green River Overlook, the view includes the White Rim, the Green River, and the Orange Cliffs. Colorful, crater-like, 1,500 foot deep, Upheaval Dome can be viewed from a 3.4 mile round trip walking trail. Fourteen other hiking trails are located in the Island District. The Mesa Arch Trail, located 6 miles south of the visitor center, offers an easy 1/2 mile loop with beautiful inner canyon views. A nature trail brochure provides an introduction to native plants. Numerous other viewpoints are available along the main roads.
Willow Flat Campground, a primitive camping area with limited facilities and no water, awaits those who plan to extend their stay. No food, water, gasoline or lodging is available at Island in the Sky.
Needles District
Time Required
Allow 1 day round tripDescription
To reach the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, drive south from Moab on U.S. Highway 191 for 40 miles and then drive 35 miles west on Utah Scenic Byway 211 to the Park Visitor Center.On the way to Canyonlands, you will pass through the Indian Creek Canyon portion of the Canyon Rims Recreation Area. During the spring and fall months, Indian Creek is a popular destination for rock climbing. Newspaper Rock displays one of the most outstanding Indian Rock Art panels in canyon country.
Recreation opportunities in the Needles District of the park are centered around the scenic drive and the network of hiking trails and four-wheel-drive routes that lead into a colorful world of open parks, red and white sandstone monoliths, towers, arches, "needles" and canyons.
The campsites at Squaw Flat Campground, the destination for many Park visitors planning an overnight stay, are nicely spaced in a scenic setting. Day-end at Squaw Flat often produces a lovely sunset display upon the nearby rock formations. Drinking water (March-October), picnic tables, and toilets are available at the campground. Camping fees are charged. Limited supplies are available adjacent to the park entrance (in season).
Dead Horse Point State Park
Time Required
Allow 3 hours round trip
Description
Dead Horse Point is reached by following the route described for the Island
in the Sky Tour. It is 23 miles from U.S. Highway 191 to Dead Horse Point
State Park via Utah Highway 313. Four view areas, ideal for photography
stops, are located along the highway. Dead Horse Point is a peninsula connected
to a large mesa by a narrow strip of land. At one time, cowboys captured
wild mustangs by driving them across this narrow neck of land onto the
Point, and then closing a brush fence behind them. From the rim of Dead
Horse Point, one can view a vast panorama of canyon country. Two thousand
feet below, the Colorado River continues to shape its intricate canyon
system.
Park facilities include a visitor center, picnic area, and campground with limited drinking water, flush toilets, and shade ramadas. Nightly campfire programs and daily guided walks are offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. The Park has 10 miles of hiking trails following the canyon rim around the park. Entrance and camping fees are charged.
Canyon Rims Recreation Area
Time Required
Allow 3 hours for round trip to Needles Overlook
Description
Canyon Rims Recreation Area is located between Moab and Monticello along
the eastern and southern sides of Canyonlands National Park. This immense,
diverse area features a full range of recreation opportunities from sightseeing
to backcountry exploration.
The paved entrance road into the Hatch Point district of the Canyon Rims Recreation Area is located 32 miles southwest of Moab along Highway 191.
This portion of the recreation area includes two lofty overlooks and two campgrounds. Comments found in the visitor registers frequently compare the scenery with that found at the Grand Canyon.
The main roads in the Canyon Rims Recreation Area are designed with the photographer in mind. The visitor will find several photo point turnouts and short spur roads to viewpoints.
Nestled between sandstone bluffs, Wind Whistle Campground is 6 miles from the entrance via a paved road. The paved road continues for 16 miles to the Needles Overlook. This overlook offers a sweeping view of the heart of the Canyonlands Region. An interpretive display describes the geologic processes at work in the area.
The Hatch Point Campground and Anticline Overlook may be reached via a high-standard gravel road that branches from the paved road about two-thirds of the way out to the Needles Overlook. These areas are 25 and 32 miles from the entrance. From the Anticline Overlook, one looks across the Colorado River to Dead Horse Point State Park.
The campgrounds have toilets, drinking water (mid April-mid October) and individual campsites. Picnic tables and toilets are available at the overlooks. Camping fees are charged.