🚙 Shafer Trail + Potash Road | Canyonlands National Park to Moab

Описание: Today we combine one of the most iconic shelf roads in Utah with a scenic desert drive packed with history, geology, and unforgettable views. Our journey starts on the famous Shafer Trail in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, then continues down through dramatic switchbacks to connect with the off-road portion of Potash Road, including a few worthwhile side trips.

⛰️ What to Expect on This Drive

Steep 1,400-foot descent with tight switchbacks

Jaw-dropping canyon and Colorado River views

Easy off-road conditions with big exposure (not for the faint of heart)

Shelf roads, scenic pull-outs, and historic routes

A mix of National Park terrain and BLM land

🛞 Trail Difficulty & Vehicle Info

Rated easy, but exposure can feel intimidating

High-clearance AWD or 4WD recommended

We aired down tires for comfort and control

Road can close quickly due to rain or snow

⚠️ Important National Park Rules

National Park entrance fee required

❌ No ATVs or UTVs (even licensed)

❌ No pets (even inside vehicles)

❌ No drones

📍 Highlights Along the Way
🌄 Multiple overlooks before the switchbacks
🎬 Thelma & Louise Point – filming location of the movie’s iconic ending
🗻 Pyramid Butte side trail – quieter, rockier, and well worth the detour
🐏 Bighorn Sheep sighting
🏭 Potash Ponds – vivid blue evaporation ponds and fascinating mining history

🧭 A Little History
The Shafer Trail dates back to 1916, when John Shafer improved the route to move cattle between mesa tops and canyon bottoms. It was later widened for uranium mining before Canyonlands became a National Park in 1964, shifting its purpose from industry to recreation.

🚣 End of the Trail
Potash Road finishes at the Potash Recreation Area, a great place to relax, watch boats on the Colorado River, and air back up before heading back to Moab.

✨ This was a fantastic day of scenic driving, history, and classic Moab terrain.
👉 Next week, we’ll share the paved portion of Potash Road.

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0:00 Shafer Trail
8:02 Potash Road
11:21 Gooseneck Overlook
13:37 Thelma and Louise Point
16:57 Pyramid Butte Trail
21:46 Potash Ponds
28:13 Ending Thoughts


#RV Travel #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel