Do you need to book in advance to visit Shafer Trail? You can drive all the way to Moab!! The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. Just take it slow.Once down, you still need to be in 4 wheel drive as the road can get quite bumpy and there are still a lot of places that require it for navigation. 4x4 should be required for non experienced drivers. Shafer Trail in Canyonlands National Park (& Potash Road) Most Dangerous Road in the United States - Shafer Trail to Potash Road The final scene of the movie Thelma and Louise, when they drove off of the cliff, was not filmed in the Grand Canyon. John Shafer gradually made the road better and easier to access, and other trails in the area are named after the families who worked on or around those trails. If you only have one day in Moab, visit Canyonlands in the morning, drive Shafer Canyon and Potash Road midday, and spend the afternoon in Arches National Park. We wanted to do some 4-wheeling and were told about this trail at the visitor's center so we decided to give it a try. From here, it is a smooth, easy drive back to Moab. Thanks for this AMAZING account that basically leaves nothing unclear! You will drive down Potash Road until it turns into Forest Road 142, which is the Shafer Trail. There are many places to pull over and allow oncoming traffic to pass. When we did this, the weather was very dry, so as far as the dirtiest parts, the entire route from Shafer Canyon Road through Potash Road was about the same. Just under 10 miles down Potash Road, you will find parking for the popular Bowtie Arch and Corona Arch. Cars driving uphill have the right of way. Shafer Trail Viewpoint - National Park Service Little did I imagine we'd end up on this trail in a Dodge Ram!!! Specifically, we would like to drive the Shafer Canyon/Potash Roads from Canyonlands to Moab. It is a popular photo spot for many because the Shafer Switchbacks are unique and make for a fun picture. Epic trail!! This is a must drive if you have a high clearance, 4 wheel drive vehicle. Driving Utah's most dangerous roads: What you need to know - KSLNewsRadio BEST OF CANYONLANDS: Top experiences in Canyonlands includes visiting the Island in the Sky district, driving the White Rim Road, hiking in the Needles district, and hiking the Syncline Loop. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. This was a super fun trail with amazing views. Do make sure you check on the road conditions. Many other trails at Island in the Sky also bear names for the families who worked them. I would NOT do this in a car. <> Forgettaboutit. Tip 5: Park closures can be found on their Twitter accounts. There are a few areas driving up narrow cliffs and hillsides. This route starts in Canyonlands and ends in Moab. Loved the route and plan to do it again sometime!! Highly recommend 4x4 off road car. Island in the Sky: White Rim Road The 100-mile four-wheel drive White Rim Road loops around and below the Island in the Sky mesa top and provides expansive views of the surrounding area. I'd recommend it for at least the semi-experienced 4 wheeler and probably between the months of April-October if you don't want to deal with winter weather/slick conditions. Our website uses cookies. Canyonlands can especially get busy once Arches closes. Part of the trail had flooded and washed away!! Cattle trail which can be used by sport vehicles. Good eyewe did this in early November, around November 9 or 10 I believe. White Rim Road: Detailed Planning Guide and Checklist Once you pass the Potash Ponds, you will shortly meet back up with the UT-279 that will take you back towards Moab. Day use permits are available up to 24 hours before your trip. It only took us 41/2 hours, and I never got out of two wheel drive. For more details on how to plan your time in Canyonlands, read our post One Perfect Day in Canyonlands National Park. I was looking at a map and it called that road ORV trail, which made me nervous thinking it was only for side by sides. Went back to Moab via Potash Rd. Shafer Canyon Road starts near the visitor center of Canyonlands National Park. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. Tony Boeckel: 1892 1924 31 years American baseball player car San Diego, California Cris Bolado: 1969 2017 47 years Filipino basketball player motorcycle Phnom Penh . The photos of the trail (and looking at it on Google Earth) made it look quite scary, however after watching the drive real time on YouTube it seemed very doable. I could've sworn to you that the drop-off was about a trillion feet down, so I said, "Okaaaaaaayyyyy, you might want to maybe hurry this up a little." I looked over and saw that the driver's side of the road had given way to a very steep drop-off, and also noticed that the road was narrowing. Can I drive my Dodge Caravan at Shafer Road. It is a must!! See all 4 Shafer Trail tours on Tripadvisor, Base Camp Adventure Lodge, King on the front porch, View all hotels near Shafer Trail on Tripadvisor, Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park, Canyonlands National Park Pet Friendly Campgrounds, Hotels near Island In The Sky Visitor Center, Hotels near Salt Lake City Intl Airport (SLC), Motels near Salt Lake City Intl Airport (SLC), All things to do in Canyonlands National Park, Geologic Formations in Canyonlands National Park, National Parks in Canyonlands National Park, Biking Trails in Canyonlands National Park, Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park, Bodies of Water in Canyonlands National Park, Scenic Drives in Canyonlands National Park, Historic Sites in Canyonlands National Park, Historic Walking Areas in Canyonlands National Park, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Canyonlands National Park, Visitor Centers in Canyonlands National Park, Grand View Point Overlook: Tickets & Tours, Dead Horse Point State Park: Tickets & Tours, Island In The Sky Visitor Center: Tickets & Tours, Arsenal Football Club Emirates Stadium Tour, Small-Group Bayou Airboat Ride with Transport from New Orleans, Scenic 17-Mile Drive Tour - Self Drive Audio Guide from Monterey & Carmel. Once you get past the ponds, it is a paved road to Moab. John Shafer is credited for improving the trail and making access into the canyon easier. Then, spend the rest of the day visiting the overlooks and hiking the short trails in the park. things to do in Canyonlands National Park. Try this 19.6-mile point-to-point trail near Moab, Utah. Rivian only used 10 miles of range the entire way down! 4/28/2023. Make sure you have enough gas, probably a good idea to have some food and water (just in case) and prepare for no cell service. The view from the bottom is deffiently different than from the top. Credit: NPS Photo, Right image Do not recommend! The Shafer Trail Viewpoint, located a little farther down the road, is spectacular, too. Most Dangerous National Parks in the U.S. | Fatal Accident Statistics Thus was my very first experience with 4-wheeling.We had started from the top of the trail that begins right before the visitor's center in Canyonlands, and took it all the way down to Potash, then to Moab. Geologically, this is the layer of rock that sits right below . Canyonlands National Park charges a fee to enter. Your email address will not be published. So much fun to drive! endobj You have scenery, the interesting photo op presented at Tea Kettle Junction, and . What you should be aware of is that this trail and many other trails in the Moab area can become impassable during periods of rain. Copyright All Rights Reserved. We drove from Moab to Potash Trail and then picked up Shafer Trail near the evaporation ponds 2.25 hrs to complete then 45 min drive back to Moab!! It was the thrill of a lifetime. %f:qQ;ri>{FBV5B2NWr)dfh=7`bF1[c"\n?_sW|k.\"?8?9rxEpOSaF\ yO-}q+Rk&:soR$D*pVk:{7PQk2__5NCxb@yGJp|Um3ia/f.1{?~q{lok{Ac+l7jl4g ArC+/t/; ?BprFtW![b1ia!T?&&-8[5r$F[BzvlD+1I`;y|fX @Lw-xV4aSt This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. You will travel this road for about 2.5 miles until you start into the Shafer Switchbacks. Note: If you do not turn left, you will begin the drive the White Rim Road. 4 WD with 4 lo is recommended due to steep descent into canyon. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. I suppose this would be a great trail for those who have nerves of steel and love adventure but this is just a bit too much, in my opinion. If you have a 44 vehicle with a 4-low range and high clearance, you will be able to get down the road with ease. From here the Shafer Canyon Road, also known as the Shafer Trail, begins to climb gradually, offering exceptional views over the entire valley. The arch is easily seen from the road, but if you are not paying attention, you will miss it. In Moab, there are numerous companies that will rent 4WD vehicles. In fact I told my wife there doesn't look like there is a road out of here. This part of the road is relatively smooth and very well maintained. Killer drive!!!! We went top to bottom. The Shafer Trail difficulty rating is moderate because there are some steep switchbacks. But it is! 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Then take the Potash Road and Shafer trail into Canyonlands National Park later in the day. About half way down there was an orange cone marking where some of the path had fallen away, which we thought was absurd because the whole trail seemed very hazardous to us. Youre welcome. It is one thing to watch cars travel the switchbacks from the Shafer Canyon Overlook. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Views are amazing. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. more, #7 of 46 things to do in Canyonlands National Park. beautiful accessible 4x4 Rd, just need 6+" of clearance. bar) and I had pretty much felt that my life was going to end that day. Would need to know where are the dirtiest parts of the shafter canyon road ? f6t,mHpS3Ej}j&;T )0n We are familiar with driving on remote, dirt roads, but want to know: We will be driving a 4-WD long bed pickup with a length of 21 ft. Will this be o.k. Not for two-wheel-drive sedans, but rather 4WD or AWD, this narrow thread of road leads to the fabled land of moving rocks in the heart of Death Valley. JUST DO IT! As you drive down Potash Road, you will pass multiple significant highlights. This photo was taken at the top of Shafer Canyon Road, about one mile before starting down the Shafer Trail switchbacks. You can do this in different ways, and there is no exact right way to do it. Insane views!!!! Expanding upon the work of Sog Shafer, the Atomic Energy Commission widened Shafer Trail and extended it to the White Rim Road to accommodate trucks moving loads of uranium-bearing rock from the backcountry and down to Moab for processing. All and all amazing! The views of the Colorado River are spectacular and the paved roads through the Canyon are very nice with canyon walls rising on one side and the river on the other.The views and thrill of adventure are definitely worth it. The switchbacks are no joke but once those are behind you its pretty smooth sailing. Shafer Trail, Canyonlands National Park: Address, Phone Number, Shafer Trail Reviews: 4.5/5. Get an early start, arriving in Canyonlands at or just after sunrise. Here is the Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road driving route in detail. Backcountry driving conditions can change rapidly after rain or snow. No, You do not need a Shafer Trail permit to drive on the road. After we got to the top I asked her if we knew what we were headed to would she have done it and she had to admit she would and so would I. Definetly one of the cheapest adreneline rushes you'll ever have.bring some depends and you'll be fine. I've read other reviews that say starting from the bottom and working your way up is the way to go. The most thrilling part of the drive. Trail was amazing!! It begins in Canyonlands and can be driven all the way through to Potash Road leading you back in the town of Moab. Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. Once the mining came to an end and tourism picked up, the road was further widened and maintained, and then became known as Shafer Canyon Road. Total Distance: 39 miles Length of Time: 2 hours. Here you can see dinosaur tracks and more petroglyphs. ]J [,;9CoOUJRJbTiI4wYv*s8D4@K ]Sz%X7R7N-FHjkZ)}qX&iJqt"\"r:,_/XNgn^aQ\3xUTA4X6}e:9'~+R?&yMz)cGjh4-^&8JWy) ;pZTa`=Jpx*]e3/de@5'*\2BQa-ak'fI%XX tUP$lYL1/+Z^[JLUXg`*_$lT The Shafer Trail in Moab, Utah is regarded as one of the most dangerous roads in America. I had thought it would be fun to have a little adventure and we both said "how bad can it be??". Here it is. Experience the Shafer Trail - National Park Service Perfect control. There are some great overlooks of the Colorado River on the way and very few people. Shafer Trail is a dirt road that starts with several switchbacks down into the canyon Canyonlands National Park Fees The entry fee covers you for a full 7 consecutive days visiting Canyonlands park. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. If you take your RZR down Potash Road, you can go on the trail until you arrive at a very clearly marked sign that says you are entering the Canyonlands National Park and OHVs are not allowed. This is one of the fun Moab off road trails. The overlook is pretty cool. You know that stomach dropping, regret-filled feeling you get when youre strapped into a roller coaster, wondering why you decided to do this and theres no turning back, but you know its going to be fine and over before you know it? Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The Shafer Trail road can be accessed by anyone in a high-clearance 4WD vehicle with a low range gear (4LO) (recommended). The first part of the drive, as you weave your way down the Shafer Canyon switchbacks, is the most hair-raising and thrilling part of the drive. Just put it in 4WD and low and let it go! This is the stretch of road starting at the Shafer Canyon switchbacks and ending just past the Potash evaporation ponds. Thanks for your reply, thanks for your great site !!! It is hopeful that repairs at Upheaval Bottom, Taylor Canyon and Lathrop Canyon can be completed within the next week. Remember, unlike in the past, high-clearance, 4WD vehicles with low gear settings (4LO) are highly recommended to traverse this route. Literally cried, hands sweating buckets, and a death grip on the seat in front of me. Make sure you get a permit for the White Rim Raod Trail. Heres how to do it. Its not really my thing to be jostled around but the views made it worth it. To get back to Moab, drive Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road described above. During the busy months, you can easily wait for an hour or more just to get into Canyonlands National Park or Arches National Park. The views are amazing, and we enjoyed exploring this less-visited trail in Moab. At 22 feet long it would be difficult to find a place to turn around if needed. Worked in perfectly for us after a quick trip to Mesa Arch. Can any length of this trail be safely driven out and back on a regular clearance 2WD? You will run into the Potash Road and the White Rim Road intersection at mile 5.2 if you set your odometer once you leave the pavement if starting in Canyonlands National Park. We drove the Shafer Trail in a jeep we rented from Moab Adventure Center and had an amazing time. Youre welcome! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. It felt like we were in an Escher paining because you could not see the road ahead and it looked like we were driving into the canyon wall and would get stuck and just then the switchback would appear and we could see our way up and this went on for what seemed like 2 hours but I'm sure it took only half that time. Check theweather report before starting your trip andcurrent road conditions before heading out. Drive the Shafer Trail -Canyonlands Island in the Sky to Moab- Photos (1,008) Directions. Moderate 4.7 (604) Canyonlands National Park. There are a lot of places to pull off at the bottom to take some really good pictures of the Colorado River and rock formations as well. There are a few important things to know when driving the Shafer Road in Moab, aside from the obvious of needing a four-wheel drive vehicle. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Did it in a rented Ford Taurus with 5.1" of ground clearance, so it is doable in a 2 wheel drive sedan if you have some testicular fortitude, are a good driver who knows where your tires are/understands how to approach rocks without bottoming out, and of course do not care about wear and tear on the vehicle. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The Shafer Trail Road is a great trail for all skill levels and families. We are an every day family prioritizing experiences and memories. Length 19.6 miElevation gain 3,106 ftRoute type Point to point. The Shafer in Moab is a great way to spend your time in the Canyonland National Park, and we hope you find our guide informative and helpful. At one point she did jump out of the truck and was convinced it would be easier to walk out..once she was on solid ground she did much better, but I did mention to her I thought the road would be better traveled on a donkey or llama. We recommend booking Shafer Trail tours ahead of time to secure your spot. The Shafer Trail Canyon overlook is also known as the Shafer Trail Viewpoint. What an awesome ride. The petroglyphs are close to a popular rock climbing area. However, if you plan to include the White Rim Road, you must have a permit to drive the White Rim Road. Trail Type: Point to Point. I started at the bottom to too and highly suggest that way over top to bottom. I personally do not think a 4WD is necessary, but high clearance is definitely a must to avoid damaging your vehicle. This includes street-legal OHVs. Red Wing is home of Red Wing Shoes, the Riedell Ice and Roller Skates and Red Wing Stoneware. As the Shafer Trail starts to distance itself from the Colorado River, you will pass by the Potash Ponds. Required fields are marked *. If you do the drive in this direction, it is a great way to end your visit to the Island in the Sky District. The Shafer Canyon Switchbacks are an amazing experience. You will know when you are no longer underneath the Dead Horse Point State Park when the Shafer Trail begins to go away from the Colorado River. Shafer Trail - Canyonlands - Utah - Full - YouTube Theres one question I have: Which date did you take the pictures? VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? Again, if it were my vehicle, true 4WD with 4 low to save your brakes. Once you reach Utah-279, the road is paved and feels delightfully smooth. Then you get to the fork in the road and see the sign for the visitor center and you make the mistake of assuming the road would be somewhat good. View of the Shafer Canyon Switchbacks from Shafer Trail Viewpoint. View from Shafer Canyon Overlook. Many backcountry roads in the Moab area used for recreation today were improved by the Atomic Energy Commission. Shafer Trail Road To White Rim Road, Canyonlands National Park. Shafer Trail (Canyonlands National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. After a few miles or so, suddenly, the very narrow hairpin turn that dropped into what I was sure was at least a 15% grade, caused me to see exactly what I had been missing. How rough is the road? The Shafer Trail Road in Canyonlands is a great 44 trail. With one day, you can drive Shafer Canyon Road, a portion of the White Rim Road, and then return to Moab via Potash Road. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks. there is plenty of room in those switchbacks to pass another fellow 4wheel. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. The view back up Shafer Canyon and the rim of the Island in the Sky mesa. Credit: NPS Photo, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Cheers, Julie, Thank you for the informative article about Canyonlands. Shafer Canyon Road is a thrilling (scary) off road experience in UT Quite a few mountain bikes and quad runners were on the trail. By the time we realized it there was no turning back (literally). This is a very popular area for mountain biking and scenic driving, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Or is it a road that goes to Potash and then back to Canyonlands? My husband insisted on the trail. This is a rough road that eventually gives way to pavement. It is a great overlook that lets you see the Shafer Switchbacks that you will drive down when you do decide to go on the Shafer Trail. Cheers, Julie, Hello, Laurent from France here. Going left will continue on the Shafer Trail, and going straight will put you onto the White Rim Road. I also read your list of the 10 best things to see/do in Islands in the Sky District. Trailhead: Find the trailhead off Potash Road\Highway 279, about 16.5 miles from its junction with Highway 191. Very cool trail. A bit before the White Rim Rd you take the left into the Potash Rd. To do this, you must have a permit for the White Rim Road. However, it does intersect with the White Rim Road, and the White Rim Road does require a permit. We went out of service so sorry in advance for the trip length! First view of the Shafer Canyon switchbacks. We got into the bottom and the road was like a hi-way, wide, gravel road. After that is was a fairly easy, though rough, drive back to the paved portion on Potash road. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Unbelievable and amazing views if the Colorado! It was far more intense, rough and free form with lots of gully crossings and rock. . The hike to Corona Arch is 2.5 miles round trip and gets great reviews. This was the sentence that came out of my mouth as my husband, an experienced 4-wheeler, made the tight, narrow hairpin turn that caused me to see the sheer drop now on my side of the truck. Shafer Trail Road-Potash Road is the name of an iconic drive located on the east central edge of Utah, in the western United States. For more information, please see, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. The Shafer Trail, WOW!!! 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Once we made it to the bottom of the canyon alive we totally enjoyed the trail. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. So much fun!! It was filmed right here, next to the Colorado River, just outside of Dead Horse Point State Park. On the way, you will pass rock climbing sites and Corona Arch. If you arent comfortable driving on the Shafer Trail, you can take a Moab Jeep tour which will take you on the nearby White Rim Road. The views from Canyonlands are wonderful but if you take the Shafer, you are so much closer to the canyons and can really get the perspective. Or Dead Horse State Park? My wife was so scared she kept asking me to stop because she thought she wanted to get out of the truck. If you do the whole trail, which means you travel the Potash Road to Shafer Trail into the Canyonlands National Park or vis versa, you will see great Indian petroglyphs, Jug Arch, and the Poison Mesa Spider area. Below are a few tips that can save you some money and make for a great trip. Plenty of potholes and ruts and cobbles and small boulders on the dirt road. A few larger steps that required a slower crawl but really nothing that a decent ground clearance cant handle. Do your research well!! Learn more about the White Rim Road in these three posts: Before you go, check road conditions on the National Park Service website. Every muscle in my body was sore afterwards from clenching my muscles and I literally cried. This is one of the most spectacular, scenic. Shafer Canyon Overlook is not actually on the Shafer Trail. Difficulty: Easy. Shafer Trail. I asked my wife why she was looking over the edge if she was so scared why not just close your eyes but she said she wanted to face her fear. Take the first left after passing the Island in the Sky entrance station. This is a popular trail for mountain biking, off-road driving, and scenic driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

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