Onion Creek Road to Fisher Towers — Colorado River Red Rock Canyon Bench
Red canyon, creek crossings, tower country.
Onion Creek Road drops off Utah Highway 128 just northeast of Moab and immediately commits you to the creek bed — you’ll cross Onion Creek a dozen or more times in the first few miles, with sticky red mud and slick sandstone shelves keeping your hands busy. The canyon tightens as you climb toward the Fisher Towers basin, where the 900-foot monoliths of Titan, Ancient Art, and Cottontail loom close enough to feel oppressive. The road tops out on a bench with views back down the Colorado River corridor that’ll stop you cold. It’s roughly 11 miles one-way from the highway junction to the Fisher Towers trailhead, with the creek crossing section doing most of the work.
Stock high-clearance 4WD handles most of this in dry conditions, but after rain that red clay becomes a greased skillet — run it wet and you’ll be calling for a tow from inside a canyon with zero cell service. Aired-down all-terrain tires are strongly recommended. Best run spring (April–May) or fall (September–October) to avoid summer flash flood risk in the narrows. No permit required. Water sources are not potable; bring everything. Dispersed camping exists on BLM land near the towers. Moab is your fuel and resupply point, 20 miles southwest on US-191.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 11 mi / 17.7 km |
| Duration | Half day to full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Best season | April-May, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Moab, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Moab Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Fisher Towers page Utah.com Fisher Towers info |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run Onion Creek Road without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD handles this trail fine. You'll want decent all-terrain tires and a functioning low-range — the creek crossings and soft sandstone sections will punish 2WD rigs or low-slung SUVs.
When is Onion Creek Road passable, and what shuts it down?
April–May and September–October are the sweet spots. Summer flash floods can blow out the creek crossings with zero warning, and winter ice makes the rock sections sketchy. Always check weather upstream, not just at the trailhead.
Do you need a permit or pass to drive Onion Creek Road to Fisher Towers?
No permit required to drive the road. The Fisher Towers Recreation Site at the end has a $15/night fee if you camp there through BLM. The drive-through corridor itself is free, managed by the BLM Moab Field Office.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what makes it technical?
The Onion Creek crossings are the crux — you'll cross the creek multiple times, and the bottom is loose sand over rock that shifts seasonally. After heavy rain or snowmelt, water depth and flow can change dramatically; what's a 12-inch crossing one week can be axle-deep the next.
Is there any water or gas to plan around, and does cell service exist on trail?
Zero cell service the entire route — none. Gas up in Moab before you leave; the nearest station is roughly 20 miles from the trailhead. Onion Creek water is not potable, so bring everything you need for the day.
Trail track
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