Lockhart Basin Trail — Moab to Needles Overlook via Bears Ears Country
Moab's forgotten canyon corridor.
Lockhart Basin is what Moab used to be before the Instagram crowds — remote, unforgiving, and absolutely stunning. The route drops south from Moab off Kane Creek Road, following the Colorado River canyon wall before plunging into the basin proper. The notorious Hatch Point section involves a long shelf road cut into the canyon rim where one tire is uncomfortably close to several hundred feet of nothing. Midway through, the trail crosses Lockhart Canyon’s wash bottom repeatedly, and after any rain that clay turns to axle-sucking slick. The payoff is complete solitude in red canyon country that few people ever see from ground level.
Difficulty sits at Difficult to Expert depending on conditions — in dry weather a stock high-clearance 4WD with a locker can manage most of it, but wet conditions elevate every obstacle significantly. Plan for two to three days and bring everything you need because there is zero infrastructure out here. The nearest fuel and services are in Moab, roughly 30 miles from the northern trailhead. No permit is currently required for the trail itself, though you’re skirting Bears Ears National Monument boundaries so carry your Leave No Trace ethic hard. Cell service drops to nothing within the first five miles and doesn’t come back.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 60 mi / 96.6 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6100 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance 4WD with rear locker recommended |
| Nearest town | Moab, UT |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Moab Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run Lockhart Basin, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can make it, but a rear locker is strongly recommended — you'll hit loose rock shelves, off-camber ledges, and narrow canyon shelf road where a locker saves you from a bad situation. Lifted rigs with skid plates are better suited. Don't bring an unmodified crossover or truck with street tires.
What months are actually safe to run this trail?
March through May and September through November are the windows. Summer heat in the canyon corridor is brutal and dangerous — temps regularly exceed 100°F with zero shade and no bailout. Winter can bring ice on the shelf sections and snow that makes the rock impassable.
Do I need a permit to drive Lockhart Basin?
No permit is currently required to drive the trail itself — it's BLM land managed by the Moab Field Office. Dispersed camping is allowed but follow Leave No Trace rules and stay on established sites. Check with the BLM Moab Field Office before your trip since conditions and regulations can change.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The shelf road sections dropping into the basin are the crux — narrow, exposed, with loose rock and steep fall-offs that leave no room for error. There are also rocky wash crossings that require careful line selection. With 60 miles of remote canyon and almost no bailout, a mechanical failure here means a very long wait for help.
Is there any water or cell service on the trail, and how much fuel do I need?
There is zero cell service for the entire route — bring a satellite communicator. Water crossings exist but treat all water before drinking; carry your own reliable supply. Fill up completely in Moab before you leave and carry extra fuel — 60 miles of low-gear technical driving burns through a tank fast and there's nothing between the start and Needles Overlook.
Trail track
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