Moab & Utah Overlanding Routes

Red rock canyons, desert mesas, and classic 4×4 routes for Peak Overland guests heading west.

Many Peak Overland guests start in Colorado and then head west to Moab to experience Utah’s famous red rock terrain. This page highlights a handful of Moab-area routes and scenic drives to help you plan a safe, realistic trip in our Adventure Ready™ vehicles.

Important: Moab has a wide range of trails—from mellow scenic roads to extremely technical rock crawling. The routes below are chosen with typical rental guests in mind. Some well-known “hardcore” trails are not permitted in Peak Overland vehicles due to risk and abuse. When in doubt, ask before you go.

If you’re just getting started with planning, begin with Colorado Overlanding 101 and Colorado Routes, then use this page to add a Moab segment to your itinerary.

How Moab Driving Differs From Colorado

Moab feels very different from Colorado’s alpine passes. A few key differences to keep in mind:

Traction & terrain: Slickrock offers incredible grip when dry, but loose sand and ledges demand momentum and careful tire placement.
Heat: Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F. You’ll need more water, sun protection, and careful planning around midday heat.
Limited shade & water: Campsites are often more exposed, and natural water sources are rare compared to Colorado.
Remoteness: Some desert routes feel more isolated than busy San Juan passes. Self-reliance matters.

Because of this, we recommend pairing Moab with Colorado in shoulder seasons (spring and fall), and choosing conservative routes during peak summer heat.

How to Use This Guide

The routes below are grouped into three broad categories:

Scenic / Easier: Mostly graded dirt or tame slickrock with big views and options for dispersed camping.
Intermediate: More rock ledges, off-camber sections, and drop-offs. Best for guests with some 4×4 experience.
Advanced: Remote, committing routes where recovery is difficult and driver judgment is critical. Only for experienced drivers after discussing plans with us.

These are planning ideas, not step-by-step directions. Always carry offline maps (OnX Offroad or Gaia GPS), extra water, and check local conditions before heading out.

For multi-day plans that combine Colorado and Moab, see our Sample Itineraries.

Scenic / Easier Routes Near Moab

Shafer Canyon Road (Canyonlands National Park)

Difficulty: Scenic / Easier in good conditions
Season: Most of the year, weather dependent
Area: Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky

Shafer Canyon Road is an iconic series of switchbacks dropping from the Island in the Sky mesa down toward the White Rim area. The road is wide enough for careful two-way traffic in most spots and offers incredible views of the Colorado River canyons. It’s a great introduction to Moab-style shelf roads, but exposure is real—many guests choose to drive down, turn around at the bottom, and return the same way rather than committing deeper into the park.

Note: This road may close during storms or winter conditions. Check current park information before your trip.

Gemini Bridges Road

Difficulty: Scenic / Easier to Low Intermediate
Season: Most of the year (can be hot in midsummer)
Area: Between Highway 191 and Highway 313 north of Moab

Gemini Bridges Road is a classic desert route that combines mellow dirt with short rocky sections and access to impressive twin rock spans (Gemini Bridges). It’s a good warm-up trail that can be linked with Highway 313 overlooks, Dead Horse Point State Park, or camping on nearby BLM land.

Long Canyon Road

Difficulty: Scenic / Easier with one notable obstacle
Season: Spring through fall (avoid heavy rain / flash flood risk)
Area: Connects Highway 279 (Potash Road) up to the Island in the Sky mesa

Long Canyon Road climbs through a dramatic, narrow canyon with a famous rockfall “tunnel” where you’ll drive under a huge boulder. Most of the road is moderate, but conditions can change after storms, and there are no guardrails. It’s best driven in good weather and daylight only.

Intermediate Desert Routes

Onion Creek & Fisher Towers Area

Difficulty: Scenic / Easier to Low Intermediate
Season: Spring and fall are ideal
Area: Along Highway 128 northeast of Moab

Onion Creek Road winds through a colorful canyon with multiple shallow creek crossings (depth varies by season). It’s a favorite for photography and pairs well with camping along the Colorado River corridor on Highway 128. In heavy rain, water levels and mud can increase difficulty—avoid during flash flood risk.

Chicken Corners

Difficulty: Low Intermediate with some exposure
Season: Most of the year, extreme heat in midsummer
Area: Southwest of Moab off Kane Creek Boulevard

Chicken Corners offers big canyon views with sections of shelf road and mild rock obstacles. The trail name comes from a spot where passengers often decide whether to walk or ride along an exposed stretch. It’s not as technical as Moab’s hardest trails, but drivers should be comfortable with heights and careful tire placement.

Advanced / Remote Routes

The following routes are more committing and remote. These are only suitable for experienced drivers who are fully prepared and have discussed plans with us ahead of time.

White Rim Road (Multi-Day)

Difficulty: Intermediate with exposure and remoteness
Season: Spring and fall are best; permits required
Area: Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky

White Rim Road is a famous multi-day loop around the base of the Island in the Sky mesa. It combines long stretches of dirt road with occasional rocky climbs, sand, and cliffside exposure. There are designated campsites that require advanced permits, and water sources are scarce—everything must be carried in.

Important: This route requires serious planning, responsible driving, and respect for park regulations. We recommend it only for experienced overlanders who are comfortable with self-supported travel and have confirmed plans with Peak Overland before their trip.

Lockhart Basin (Very Remote)

Difficulty: Advanced / Remote
Season: Shoulder seasons only; avoid summer heat
Area: South of Moab between the Colorado River and Needles district

Lockhart Basin is a long, remote route with ledges, off-camber sections, and slow going. Recovery is difficult and daytime temperatures can be brutal in summer. This is not a good choice for first-time visitors or casual renters and may not be permitted depending on conditions.

Many guests find that they do not need the most extreme trails to have an unforgettable Moab experience. Combining scenic/easier and intermediate routes with great campsites and time to explore on foot usually leads to a better trip than pushing into the highest-risk terrain.

Choosing Moab Routes for Your Trip

When adding Moab to your Colorado overland adventure, we recommend:

Starting with scenic/easier routes like Gemini Bridges, Onion Creek, or Long Canyon.
Planning drive days that leave time for hiking, photos, and cooling off by the river.
Avoiding peak afternoon heat in midsummer, especially on exposed trails.
Checking restrictions and park rules in advance—different land agencies have different regulations.

For ideas that link Colorado high country routes with Moab desert drives, visit our Sample Itineraries page. You’ll find 3–5 day trip concepts that mix alpine passes, desert canyons, and realistic daily mileage.

Before you go, make sure to review our Packing Lists and Seasonal Access & Safety guidance so you’re ready for both mountain and desert conditions.

Ready to reserve your rig? Check out our Adventure Ready™ rental fleet and start planning your Colorado + Utah overland adventure.