USE OF THIS ROAD REQUIRES A PERMIT FROM CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Difficulty Rating: 3
From a technical standpoint this is only a 3, but there are a few places that would be intimidating to the drivers who don't have experience on similar roads.
This trail is a relatively easy trail and should be passable by most vehicles with high clearance and low-range. Over-sized tires, lockers, and lifts kits are NOT required for the majority of vehicles. We passed quite a few stock vehicles that did just fine. For example, we did pass a stock 4Runner, stock Tacoma, and some other stock vehicles on the trip.
I do want to add that there are a few places that would be intimidating for those who do not have experience. One hill climb, called Murphy Hogback, is steep, narrow, and moderately loose. I did use 4-low, but I didn't need to use my locker in my 4Runner. There were some other hills where you turn at the top where visibility is limited and you cannot see the turn and there is a drop off to the side. These would be intimidating for those with no experience.
Location: Canyonlands Island in the Sky District
Trail Head: This can be run in the clockwise or counter clockwise directions. The entrance for each direction is located on Highway 313, the road that goes to the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands.
If running in the clockwise direction, the trail begins immediately after the pay station for Canyonlands on 313. The road is to the left when entering Canyonlands. GPS coordinates of this turn are: 38°28'17.4"N 109°48'41.3"W (38.471487, -109.811481). There is a sign that labels the road.
If running in the counter clockwise direction, the trail begins on the Mineral Bottom Road. The turn to this road is off of Highway 313. It is located on the right when travelling toward Canyonlands and is 12.3 miles from the intersection of 313 and US 191. The GPS coordinates of this turn are: 38°34'59.7"N 109°48'04.2"W (38.583236, -109.801163). There is a sign marking the Mineral Bottom Road. This road turns into the White Rim Trail.
Trail Description:
The White Rim Trail requires permits from the National Park Service if you are going to use the trail--even if you plan on doing it in one day. I recommend doing the trail in 2-3 days so you can take your time and enjoy the scenery. You also need permits to camp. The National Park Service also requires you to pack out everything--even your excrement. Luckily, there are plenty of pit toilets scattered throughout the trail that it was a non-issue.
This is a 100 mile dirt road that goes around the Island in the Sky District in Canyonlands National Park. The main portion of the Island in the Sky is on top of a large mesa. The White Rim Trail is about 1200 ft lower in elevation along the bottom of that mesa. The road follows a layer of white sandstone which creates the rim of a large cliff. Since the trail follows this rim, the views to the canyons below are spectacular.
We did the trail in the clockwise direction, starting at the Shafer Trail. These are narrow, tight switchbacks that quickly descend the side of the mesa. The descent is about 1200 ft in elevation (from 5,800 to 4,600 ft) over about 4 miles. The road is wide enough that you can pass oncoming vehicles in most sections. There are plenty of pull-outs that make for great photo opportunities.
Once you get down the Shafer switchbacks there is an intersection. Stay straight to continue to the White Rim Trail (left takes you back to Moab along the Potash Road which is an easy, pretty drive).
After arriving to the level of the White Rim, the road is fairly flat and typically does not require low-range or 4-wheel drive. It is a well maintained road.
About 16.5 miles after leaving the pavement, there is a road that goes to the left. This is Lathrop Canyon, which is a 4 mile spur down a canyon to the Colorado River. On a hot day this is a great place to take a dip and cool off!
About 43 miles after leaving the pavement is a loose, steep climb called Murphy Hogback. This is narrow, steep climb and there is no room to pass any on-coming vehicles. This is the hardest part of the trail and requires 4-wheel drive and low-range.
There is another spur, the Taylor Canyon Road, which heads up a pretty canyon. This is located about 70 miles after leaving the pavement. The turn is located at the Labyrinth campgrounds and the spur is about This is an easy spur about 5 miles long.
The climb back up toward the Island in the Sky is another steep, switchback section carved into the cliff. This is the Mineral Bottom Road and once up this road it is a graded road until you reach the pavement.
Here is the KML of the road.
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