Make sure you get a permit for the White Rim Raod Trail. Once you reach Utah-279, the road is paved and feels delightfully smooth. Canyonlands National Park Day Use Backcountry Permits - Recreation.gov As you follow that trail, it will enter into the Canyonlands National Park, and you will end in the Island of the Sky District in Canyonlands, just a short distance inside the park from the entrance station. Depending on the source, you will see this road referred to by two different names. I have had a job that involved dangerous situations but this experience scared me to death more than my job ever did. With one day, you can drive Shafer Canyon Road, How to Drive the White Rim Road: Map, Photos & Driving Tips, White Rim Road: Detailed Guide & Planning Checklist, How to Drive the White Rim Road in One Day, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in one day, Hiking the Gooseberry Trail in Canyonlands National Park, Best Things to do in Island in the Sky: Canyonlands National Park. On this route, you will drive the legendary Shafer Canyon switchbacks, pass below Dead Horse Point, get a close-up view of the Colorado River, and see a famous movie filming location, Thelma and Louise point. Forgettaboutit. Thank you! For sections of this road, the surface is a rough, worn slickrock and when you drive over it, your entire vehicle will vibrate and rattle like crazy. Many other trails at Island in the Sky also bear names for the families who worked them. View out towards Dead Horse Point State Park after the switchbacks. The Shafer Trail is named after the Shafer family, who were Mormon pioneer settlers. endobj An Analysis of Deaths in U.S. National Parks Posted October 20, 2022 in Safety On Sunday, October 4th, 2020, a 25-year-old-man fell to his death at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona. Distance: Approximately 18.2 miles. I recommend renting a vehicle for this drive. We love the switchbacks that are near the entrance of Canyonlands National Park. Take the first left after passing the Island in the Sky entrance station. She kept saying that it looked like the truck our Toyota Tundra off road package simply couldn't fit on the road and that she was sure we were going over the edge. The Shafer Trail Viewpoint, located a little farther down the road, is spectacular, too. We kept hoping no one was coming up from the bottom because there was absolutely no way to pull over or back up. Dont forget if you are going on White Rim Road, you need to purchase a permit at recreation.gov or at the Visitor Center. When we were on White Rim Road, we were asked by a ranger if we had our permit. Below you will see a Google Map of the Shafer Trail. Loved the route and plan to do it again sometime!! Its a very cool drive!! You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. If you drive into the park from the Shafer Trail, you can avoid the entrance station altogether. Now, you are below the rim but the views are still pretty awesome. What an awesome ride. Any road in Moab that is not a paved road can be difficult to traverse in the rain. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you will love driving Shafer Canyon Road and Potash Road. It only took us 41/2 hours, and I never got out of two wheel drive. On our first day, we covered 70 miles of the road, camping at the Airport Campground. Saw a mule deer and her two babies. It's a trail, not a road and has no guardrails. Shafer Trail, Canyonlands National Park: Address, Phone Number, Shafer Trail Reviews: 4.5/5. The Shafer Trail in Utah is the perfect way to experience Canyonland National Park, and we have written about all the highlights of this trip, including the Shafer Trail Switchbacks, overlooks, and how to get there. As you follow the Shafer Basin Road past the Potash Ponds, the road will join up with Forest Road 142, which is the Shafer Trail. So much fun to drive! 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. I had thought it would be fun to have a little adventure and we both said "how bad can it be??". There are many places to pull over and allow oncoming traffic to pass. The Shafer Trail is not overly difficult. Beautiful drive! Did it going down the canyon along Potash Rd all the way to Moab (as we thought going up would be more difficult with tires spinning) and did not bottom out once. We went top to bottom. Amazing views. This route starts in Canyonlands and ends in Moab. After observing multiple vehicles going up and down the steep part (and no one plummeting to their death), she said ok, lets do it. We drove a 2021 Nissan Rogue AWD. Myself, growing up 4wheeling and driving the back woods, and wherever else I could go, I consider myself a good 4wheeling driver. Most Dangerous Road in the United States - Shafer Trail to Potash Road I preferred going down rather than up. It is hopeful that repairs at Upheaval Bottom, Taylor Canyon and Lathrop Canyon can be completed within the next week. I think just as beautiful though. For the first 2.5 miles, you drive just below the rim. 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. A gem of day is ahead !!! Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab, Canyonlands National Park Backcountry 4x4 Adventure from Moab, Arches and Canyonlands 4X4 Adventure from Moab, Immersive Canyonlands National Park All Day Hiking Experience, Canyonlands National Park White Rim Trail by 4WD, Sunset ATV Tour and Trail Experience in Hell's Revenge, Moab Combo: Colorado River Rafting and Canyonlands 4X4 Tour, Arches National Park 4x4 Adventure from Moab, Hell's Revenge 4x4 Off-Roading Tour from Moab, Day of Photography in Moab, Arches & Canyonlands, Discover Moab in A Day: Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Pt, Colorado River Rafting: Afternoon Half-Day at Fisher Towers, Thrilling Guided You-Drive Hells Revenge UTV Tour In Moab UT, Moab Stand Up Paddleboarding: Splish and Splash Tour, Flatwater Fun: Moab Stand Up Paddleboarding. Turn right and in a few minutes, you will be in Moab. Pets may be transported inside vehicles only. UTAH ITINERARY: In our Utah National Parks Road Trip Guide, we cover multiple ways to road trip through the national parks in Utah. I recommend visiting the Shafer Canyon Overlook before starting your drive. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks. F350 with dually top to bottom no problem, Full sized F350 with dually went from top to bottom. Insane!!!!! It's a little on the scary side at times, but highly worth it for both the 4 wheeler (hubby) and shutterbug (me) alike. As you drive down Potash Road, you will pass multiple significant highlights. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Be prepared.it does jostle the neck around a bit! For the full list, check out our Canyonlands Travel Guide. This was a super fun trail with amazing views. If you want the best expansive views of the surrounding canyon lands, many people say the Dead Horse State Park has better views because it is higher above the river. I think he mentioned it would take 2 hours from Moab up Shafer trail and back. It's rocky, but nothing technical-- just be sure to have high clearance for Potash and know if the road is wet or muddy at all from rain.