Long Canyon

Around Moab - Utah

Note: On dirt roads, road conditions can change constantly. Therefore, we strongly recommend that everyone check the road conditions before each trip. We do not recommend driving on unpaved roads before, during or shortly after rain or snowfall.

Altitude above sea level: Western end Long Canyon
5853 ft
Altitude above sea level: Eastern end of Long Canyon
3900 ft

Our visits: So far 1 visit in October 2011

Junction off Hwy 313 onto Long Canyon Rd.

Long Canyon

Description: Long Canyon Rd is the shortest connection between Highway 313 and Potash Road (279). It is 6.8mi long and unpaved throughout. The road is very rocky and in any case only suitable for vehicles with higher ground clearance. We were in Long Canyon in October 2011 and had a Jeep Grand Cherokee. After a little less than halfway we decided to turn around because we didn't want to damage the rental car. At first the trail is fairly flat and easy. Then it descends very steeply into the canyon and from here on the road becomes very rocky. After a few hundred yards there is a notch in the road. Here you can stop and check the road further down. If you continue, you can't turn back because the road becomes too narrow and too steep for that. Again, road conditions change constantly, especially on dirt roads. You simply can't make predictions.

Our rating: We took the road because we wanted to see the huge rock that lies across the road here. Ideally, we also wanted to drive through. Because we wer not able to drive the road we only looked at the rock, which was really quite impressing. Here it is very difficult to give a rating. So if you only want to go to the Colorado, we recommend the more beautiful route via the Shafer Trail and the Potash Road. If you are looking for adventure you can give it a try and if you want to see the rock you can take the road up from the Colorado and then turn around if necessary.

3/5
Here is the place where we have turned around (left), above you can also see the place where we have parked the car.
There you have to go down