Off Roading in Moab Utah

Click the above image to view our Discover Utah Off Roading Adventures in Moab, Utah video, explore these easy Jeep trails in the heart of Canyonlands National Park—one of Utah's Big 5 National Parks. This one-day loop adventure takes you through iconic sites like Gemini Bridges and a glimpse of Canyonlands' Island in the Sky district. Descend the legendary Shafer Trail and return via Potash Rd, all while soaking in the mesmerizing landscapes. Ideal for first-timers with guts that won't get nervous with the steep drop offs on the side of the Shafer Trail road. This video provides instructions on doing the entire loop. My heart was racing but luckily Terry had the trail under control!

Dead Horse State Park Map

Where is Dead Horse State Park?

This park is located northeast of Canyonlands National Park. As this is a Utah State Park and not a National Park you should be aware that your America the Beautiful pass does not work there and so won't cover the Dead Horse State Park entrance fee.

The view from Dead Horse Point Overlook in Utah is nothing short of breathtaking. Perched 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, the overlook offers a sweeping panorama of dramatic canyonlands, sheer cliffs, and winding river bends. The vibrant red and orange hues of the rugged sandstone contrast sharply with the shimmering blue waters of the Colorado below. Layers of sedimentary rock, carved over millions of years by erosion, create a mesmerizing tapestry of mesas, buttes, and spires stretching far into the horizon.

From this vantage point, you can see the iconic Gooseneck of the Colorado River, a sharp curve that showcases nature's artistry in shaping the landscape. Sunrises and sunsets here are particularly magical, as the shifting light transforms the canyons into a glowing masterpiece. Dead Horse Point's stunning views provide a serene yet humbling reminder of the region's timeless beauty and geological history.

On our drive to the visitor center and main overlook, we couldn’t resist stopping at the first pull-out along the way. The view of Dead Horse Canyon below was absolutely mesmerizing, and it beckoned us to pause and take in the scenery. This spot offers an unparalleled vantage point, allowing you to walk right up to the edge of the cliff for completely unobstructed views. The sheer drop and expansive vista provided a thrilling perspective on the canyon’s rugged beauty, showcasing the dramatic landscape carved over millennia.

This overlook was an excellent introduction to the grandeur of the area, and it gave us a moment to appreciate the scale and depth of the canyon before continuing on to the more structured visitor experience. If you're curious about the origin of this location's unique name and its history, we’ve included a link to a fascinating Wikipedia article below for further reading.

We continued our journey to the Visitor's Center and the covered overlook, where we were greeted with breathtaking panoramic views of the canyon. The expansive vista stretched out before us, showcasing the dramatic red rock formations, sheer cliffs, and winding trails below. It was a perfect spot to pause and take in the grandeur of the landscape.

As we studied the map provided at the Visitor's Center, we were surprised to discover that the Shafer Trail, which we had driven the previous day, now lay far below us within the canyon. Seeing the trail from this elevated perspective gave us a newfound appreciation for the rugged terrain we had traversed. The juxtaposition of our current vantage point with the winding road below highlighted the immense scale and beauty of the area, making the experience all the more memorable.

In images 1 & 2 you can see the Colorado River, but in image # 3 that is the Potash Pond complex, those lakes play a key role in the mining of potassium chloride deposits from underground.

• Our Dead Horse State Park Image Gallery: Here is the link to the to our images.
• Dead Horse State Park Wikipedia Article: Here is a link to that article.
• Google Images set for Dead Horse State Park: Here is the link.
• Utah State Parks Article for Dead Horse State Park: Here is the link.
• Google Reviews for Dead Horse State Park

Where are Gemini Bridges?

Located north of Moab, in Grand County, in southern Utah, USA, Gemini Bridges Trail is the name of a very scenic journey. You should not attempt this without a serious vehicle that can handle off-roading. If you are looking for the real Moab experience, this is it.

In this image, the parking lot is in the upper left corner of the picture and the walk down to the bridges is perhaps 125 yards or so. Beyond the bridges is a canyon, perhaps 150 feet below where we were standing.

To reach this off-road trail, you drive north on route 191 from Moab and exit west (left) onto Gemini Bridges Road (also known as Highway 313 access). This dirt road trail will ascend to Court Point (5,699 feet) where the trail will swing southwest. The route immediately begins with a rough descent into a canyon, featuring a series of tight switchbacks. While the road is not overly technical, it is bumpy and may require a high-clearance or 4x4 vehicle, especially after rainfall. It is not a difficult trail, but it is a continously rough road. You will see very few signs, but watch for the turnout to Gemini Bridges.

Once you reach the Gemini Bridges area parking lot, park your vehicle and walk down (following the blue trail markers) to the natural arches. Unlike most arch viewpoints, this trail leads to the top of the bridges where you can walk across them and see down into Bull Canyon below. These two bridges are named after the Gemini twins of Roman mythology, Castor and Pollux.

• Our Gemini Bridges Image Gallery: Here is the link to the to our image Gallery.
• Gemini Bridges Atlas Obscura Article: Here is a link to that article.
• Google Images set for Gemini Bridges: Here is the link.
• Bureau of Land Management Article for Gemini Bridges: Here is the link.
• Google Reviews for Gemini Bridges

Where is the Shafer Trail?

On Utah route 313 that leads to the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, you will see a sign for Shafer Trail on your left (Shafer Canyon Road). This part of the trail almost immediately turns into a descent and the switchbacks begin. It is important to remain cautious on the switchbacks, as there are no guard rails and the pullouts are generally only on each switchback corner. Vehicles ascending the trail have the right of way, so you will have to be diligent about being aware of oncoming vehicles and to allow them full access to the trail.

The switchback section of the Shafer Trail is a breathtaking yet challenging route that carves its way down 1,500 feet (457 meters) of vibrant sandstone cliffs, offering awe-inspiring views of Canyonlands National Park. This rugged, one-lane trail requires careful navigation, but strategically placed pullouts allow vehicles climbing uphill to pass, as they have the right of way over those descending.

Designed for adventurous spirits, the Shafer Trail demands a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, making it accessible for most off-road enthusiasts without the need for a heavily modified vehicle. The trail features steep gradients of up to 16% and tight switchbacks, with loose gravel, narrow passages, and occasional low overhangs adding to the excitement. For those seeking an off-road experience with unparalleled scenery, this well-maintained road delivers.

However, the Shafer Trail is not without its risks. Wet weather, including rain or snow, can make the surface dangerously slippery, turning the adventure into a hazard. Always check the weather forecast before setting out, and postpone your trip if precipitation is expected. Proper preparation, including adequate supplies and a reliable vehicle, is essential for a safe and rewarding journey down this iconic Utah trail.

Once you reach the canyon below, you can either take the route back to route 313, or you can turn left onto Potash Road. This will take you past the Potash Ponds and eventually to route 191 where you can return to Moab. The road becomes "Shafer Basin" (route 142) and you will want to stay observant such that you will turn northeast onto "Potash Road" which will bring you to the evaporation ponds. All of this section of the trail is near the Colorado River and you will pass "Thelma & Louise Point" just before you turn northeast onto Potash Road.

• Shafer Trail Google Images: Here is a link to Google Images set.
• Our Shafer Trail Image Gallery: Here is a link to view our images.
• Shafer Trail Wikipedia Article: Here is a link to view that article.
• Shafer Trail Dangerous Roads Website Article: Here is a link to view that article. This is a good site for other great drives as well.
• National Park Service (NPS) Article on How to drive the Shafer Trail: link to view that article (good stuff).

Moab Restaurants

We wound up eating out only one night while we were there, at the Moab Diner. I had one of the best liver & onions meals I have had in a long time ! An incredibly good meal, the service was prompt, efficient and friendly. Just for the record, we didn't eat dinner out on the other nights there because we had some nice charcuterie fixins from the Moab City Market (and a good bottle of red!).

The Moab Brewery was on our list to visit from our research, but we could not work in a visit that fit into our schedule. We found numerous people who said that it is a good pub. The Trip Advisor reviews vary all over the place, perhaps your experience will be better?

 Bars & Pubs in Moab

 Restaurants in Moab

We stayed at the Moab Hampton Inn, because it was close to the center of town and near various restaurants. There are quite a few other accommodations, click our "All accommodations in Moab link" below for a complete Google Search Results list.

IMAGE CREDIT: Image is the property of Hilton, Inc. from their Moab Hampton Inn Website.

 All accommodations in Moab

We rented a Jeep from Canyonlands Jeep Adventures and they were very polite and helpful. The vehicle we rented was new and had low mileage and they gave us a cooler with ice & water bottles already loaded. The Jeep had larger off-road tires, which gave it higher ground clearance. This was very useful as the trails we drove on had frequent sandy washes and multiple rocks - so the higher ground clearance was good to have.

They have a large parking lot there and you can leave your vehicle parked there, or you could take it back to where you are staying. We decided to leave our rental car there, as their parking lot is well lit at night.

There are a number of off-road vehicle rental facilities in Moab for you to select from (see our Google Search Results list link below). NOTE: Much of the public land surrounding Canyonlands and Arches National Parks is open to ATV and UTV travel on designated routes. However, it's important to note that riding these vehicles is not allowed within either Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. Jeeps are allowed, ATV & UTV type vehicles are not. In Moab, if the ATV or UTV is registered as "street legal", then you can operate those vehicles on the city streets. for more information, go to the National Park Service page about park regulations.

I used the phrase "public land" to distinguish it from the two big National Parks. So for example, you could drive your off-road vehicle from Moab on Utah Route 279 to the Potash Ponds and then continue west on Utah Route 142 until that road ends at the Shafer Trail road. At that point, there is a sign that warns you that you are about to enter Canyonlands National Park and that off-road vehicles are not allowed.

 Off-Road vehicle rental companies in Moab

• Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
• Bryce Canyon Website
• Canyonlands National Park Service page.
• Canyonlands National Park on the "Wikipedia" site "
• Google Search Results list for "restaurants in the Moab area"
• Google Search Results list for "accommodations in the Moab area"
• Google Search Results list for "off-road trails near moab utah"
• Amazon Search Results for "Canyonlands National Park"
• Youtube Search Results for "Canyonlands National Park"
• Full Day 4X4 Tour of Canyonlands National Park from the "Get Your Guide" site
• Visit our Youtube Channel
• Canyonlands National Park Hiking on the "National Park Service" site

As you can see by the this map, our trip covered 3 different states, approximately 1,600 road miles and allowed us to see some spectacular geography. You might think that a trip of this distance would be something that would result in a "tired of driving" mood - but our stops were so diverse with such incredible geography and fun things to do, that we found that we looked forward to each morning to where we could continue our adventures!

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