Moab, Utah Area

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Recreation & Outdoor Adventure

In Moab and Green River, year-round recreational opportunities abound. Though Spring and Fall are optimal seasons for outdoor recreation, summer heat is perfect for warm weather sports like excursions on the Green and Colorado Rivers Mild temperatures make winter an ideal season for hiking visiting the parks, and cross-country skiing.

River Running

Although the words 'river running' generally conjure images of wild, churning rapids and heart-stopping near capsizes, the rivers of the Moab/Green River area have a softer side as well. For stretches of miles at a time they are simply wide, quiet streams that on clear days reflect a mosaic of rock cliffs and sky. Calm water float trips in canoes, kayaks and rafts are available. The river stretches are administered by either the BLM or the National Park Service. Individuals or groups may raft the river on their own or with a professional river outfitter. On any trip, calm or white water, special river rules apply to fires, campsites and sanitation. Permits and fees may be required for private use. Before embarking on any river trip, visit the Moab Information Center or the John Wesley Powell River History Museum in Green River to obtain free brochures and maps that address every aspect of the experience from 'leave no trace' techniques, to river history, logistics and the best float times. Commercial river trips are often the best option.

Calm water floats are found on the Green River from the town of Green River to Ruby Ranch, a one to two day trip of 23 miles. The 45 mile stretch from Ruby Ranch to Mineral Bottom is a two to three day trip particularly popular with summer canoeists. From Ruby Ranch to Mineral Bottom, the river flows through Labyrinth Canyon, named by the Powell expedition for its twisting course and massive cliffs. It takes three to four days to travel from Mineral Bottom through Stillwater Canyon with its high rocky walls serrated with crags and pinnacles to the confluence of the Green and Colorado, or briefly beyond that to Spanish Bottom, a river crossing at the head of Cataract Canyon once used by cattle rustlers and outlaws. For canoeists, pre-arranged jetboat transportation to either the town of Green River or Moab, is the only way to return from this trip. On the Colorado, the 49 miles from the Potash Dock to Spanish Bottom below the Confluence requires two to three days and also requires jetboat transportation back to Moab. Always remember that stops for explorations of the many side canyons require that you add time to your trip.

Whitewater rafting is found on both rivers. Beginning north of the town of Green River, the Green flows through Desolation and Gray Canyons for a four to seven day trek covering 75 to 84 miles depending on the take-out point. This route has 67 rapids and flows through Desolation, the deepest canyon in Utah. The Green River 'daily' is a one to two day trip north of Green River City that runs from Nefertiti Rapid to Swasey's Rapid. This stretch has seven rapids.

On the Colorado River, Westwater Canyon, northeast of Moab, is a popular choice for a one or two day whitewater adventure. On this 17 mile stretch, the river flows through a deep inner gorge of PreCambrian black rock, backed by 1,000 foot high canyon walls. On this trip, there are 11 rapids.

The Colorado River 'daily' section, from Hittle Bottom to Take-out Beach is a 13 mile, day or overnight trip. Here, the river parallels the Colorado River Scenic Byway 128. This section of the river has 6 rapids.

Deep in Canyonlands National Park, Cataract Canyon is the most famous Utah stretch of the Colorado. Trips can take as little as one or up to seven days to travel the 112 miles from Moab to Hite Marina on Lake Powell. Most trips begin with the calm float from Moab to the confluence of the rivers. Beyond that, there are 26 rapids. Side hiking trips are as much a part of the experience as the wild water. This isolated area has rock art, cliff dwellings and stark, rugged beauty. Permits may be obtained by writing: Canyonlands National Park, 2282 S. West Resource Blvd., Moab, Utah 84532

Four-Wheel Driving

The Moab/Green River area has many vehicle trails suitable for four wheel drive vehicle use. There is an abundance of maintained and primitive roads, some of them the remnants of the county's prospecting and mining past. Administering land management agencies can provide maps and suggestions. Some roads, summarized below, are detailed in a four-wheel drive brochure published by Grand County. Many of the four- wheel drive roads and trails in this region also see mountain bike and hiking use, and caution should be exercised at all times. Extra gas and water, as well as spare tires, a shovel and tools are a must for any four-wheel drive trek. The Moab/Green River area has many professional guides and outfitters who offer four-wheel drive tours, as well as, companies that offer vehicle rentals.

Sample Four-Wheel Drive Trails

The Chicken Corners Trail is almost 22 miles one-way following the Colorado River and Kane Creek Canyon, then climbing to Hurrah Pass and descending to the benches carved by the Colorado River long ago. The trail ends high above the river and roughly across from Dead Horse Point State Park.

The Gemini Bridges Trail covers about 14 miles between US-191 and U-313. It is an access road to several other trails, and it is spectacular in its own right because of the sweeping views and the obligatory side trip to the twin arch that is its namesake.

Monitor and Merrimac Buttes named for Civil War vessels, rise dramatically out of the desert along the highway leading to Canyonlands' Island in the Sky District. The Monitor and Merrimac Trail reaches the buttes via a looping 15 mile route through lavishly-colored canyons and stretches of mesa punctuated by cliffs and towers.

The popular Poison Spider Mesa Trail cuts across a mesa north of the Colorado River, west of Moab. The trail is dominated by rolling slickrock terrain. Perhaps the most spectacular views on this moderate 16 mile trek are the unobstructed vistas of the distant La Sal Mountains and Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area.

The Moab Rim Trail is a 7 mile vehicle trail rated as difficult. It affords views of Moab, the Colorado River, Spanish Valley and the La Sal Mountains. Consult the Grand County Travel Council's four- wheel drive brochure for more information on these trails.

See complete 4X4NOW listings, photos and descriptions of all 30 trails used at the Easter jeep Safari each year.

There are four-wheel drive roads in both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. The best known are bumpy Elephant Hill in Canyonlands Needles District and the spectacular White Rim Road in Island in the Sky District with its views of majestic Monument Basin. The Maze District, true to its name, offers seemingly limitless explorations. Back country restrictions apply in both parks. Inquire at the park visitor's centers for detailed trip information.

The Manti-La Sal National Forest offers cool mountain trails suitable for four-wheel drives in dry weather. A travel map is available at the Forest Service office in Moab, or at area visitor's centers . Some restrictions apply.

Remember to observe Canyon Country Minimum Impact Practices.

Mountain Biking

Each year, thousands of people flock to the Moab/Green River area with one thing on their minds: mountain biking. Numerous primitive trails and abandoned roads in the desert and mountains combine with undulating sandstone to provide terrain for every ability. Cyclists should expect to meet vehicles on many trails. Etiquette dictates that cyclists should yield to hikers, drivers, or horseback riders. Information on cycling is available at all visitor centers. There are many guides and outfitters who offer guided cycling adventures, as well as, numerous places to rent bikes.

Sample Rides

The most famous of the area's trails is the Slickrock Bike Trail. This loop is 9.6 miles of wild ride with the route marked by slashes of paint on raw rock. First-timers should try the 1.7 mile practice loop - a good ride in its own right. The Slickrock Trail is physically and technically challenging, but the giant vistas and the thrill of the ride are worth the effort. The BLM publishes a trail guide. A day use fee is charged for the Sand Flats Area.

The Monitor and Merrimac Trail is a road looping through washes and over slickrock. On the 13.2 mile ride, cyclists encounter varied trail surfaces from stone to sand, and close views of towering formations and buttes.

On the Gemini Bridges Trail, colorful sandstone and excellent views add interest to the ride. A side spur leads to the double span for which the trail is named. A long, fast descent at the route's end is what makes this trail so popular.

The Hurrah Pass Trail is a scenic canyon ride on paved and graded dirt roads. A steep uphill near it's end climbs narrow ledges with spectacular red rock views. There are also many trails suitable for bikers in the Manti-La Sal National Forest.

Hiking and Backpacking

There are many who consider the best method of exploring the Moab/Green River area to be on foot. And, indeed, the region is filled with opportunities for hiking. These range from brief interpreted nature walks to full-scale backpacking expeditions in solitary back country. On many area trails, routes are marked with stacked stone mini-monuments known as cairns. Please do not ever dismantle these. In some areas they are the only route indicators. A Moab Area Hiking Trails brochure lists several Moab area trails, some of which are briefly covered below.

In Arches National Park the path to Delicate Arch is three miles round trip, partially over wavy slickrock marked by stone cairns. The arch itself is revealed suddenly and dramatically near the hike's end.

The Portal Overlook Trail takes off from Potash Scenic Byway 279, and climbs over a mile and a half to the Portal Overlook with views of the Colorado River, the La Sal mountains and the Moab Valley. The Corona Arch Trail also begins at a trailhead adjacent to the Potash Scenic Byway 279. It is a pretty 1.5 mile hike across the slickrock at the base of Corona and Bowtie arches. Hikers on the Mill Creek Canyon Trail walk nearly a mile to a small waterfall in a canyon setting.

Negro Bill Canyon has a cool, year-round stream. Two miles from the trailhead on Colorado River Scenic Byway 128 is Morning Glory Bridge a large natural stone span carved by ages of rushing water.

The 3 mile Moab Rim Trail is also popular with hikers for its vistas of the Colorado River, Moab, and the formations of the Behind The Rocks Wilderness Study Area. The connecting Hidden Valley Trail accesses a sheltered valley and provides more views of Behind the Rocks.

A cool canyon bottom hike is found in Hunters Canyon accessed off Kane Creek Canyon Road. In spring months, the 4 mile round trip yields a pool filled stream shaded by shaggy cottonwoods.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is popular in the La Sal Mountains, part of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Commercial day trips or horse packing expeditions are offered into the La Sals as well as into Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. There are numerous scenic opportunities to ride on BLM administered lands in this area. It is fun to take a late afternoon or evening ride and return to an outdoor dutch oven dinner around a campfire (see Tour Operators p.12-13). Contact public land management agencies for regulations pertaining to private horse trips.

Guest Ranches

There are several guest ranches in the Moab/Green River area offering accommodations that are rustic and comfortable. Best of all, each has a unique flavor of the 'wild west' and the soothing effect of an uncomplicated country lifestyle.

Fishing/Hunting

The La Sal and Book Cliff Mountains are hunting grounds for deer and elk. If your tastebuds favor catfish, then you may want to try fishing the Green or Colorado Rivers. Several small, stocked lakes in the La Sals yield trout. For information on hunting and fishing licenses, request proclamations of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Hunting and Fishing in Moab or Green River, or write to: Utah Wildlife Resources, 1596 W. North Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Skiing and Snowmobiling

Located within the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the La Sals offer many areas open to cross-country skiing and a small amount of snowmobiling. Access to most areas is off the Geyser Pass Road which is plowed to a parking lot. For skiers, the La Sals offer both worked trails and back country terrain. Some of these same areas are shared by snowmobile users, although some restrictions apply. Winter back country users should call 801-259-SNOW, November through April, for current taped information on mountain weather, road conditions, and avalanche potential. The steep La Sals have a greater potential for avalanche than the mountains of northern Utah, so please use caution and common sense. Guided day and overnight ski tours, and ski rentals are available in Moab.

Golfing

The Moab Golf Course is one of the most visually appealing in the state with its contrast of smooth, bright greens set amid rough, eroded red cliffs and boulders. The public course has 18 holes and a par of 72. It is open seven days a week, year-round. It has a pro shop, a driving range, and a snack bar open for breakfast and lunch. Cart rentals and lessons are available. For reservations call (801) 259-6488. The city of Green River is currently building a 9-hole course. Contact Green River State Park, (801) 564-3633 for information.

From the Grand County Travel Council "Southeastern Utah Travel Guide"

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