Onion Creek Road — Castle Valley to Fisher Towers via Colorado River Canyon Bench
Badland colors, creek crossings, and Fisher Tower views.
Onion Creek Road turns off Utah Route 128 about 20 miles northeast of Moab and immediately drops you into a narrow canyon carved through the Morrison Formation — banded reds, purples, and greens stacked like a painter’s palette gone wrong. You’ll ford Onion Creek a dozen or more times, each crossing shallow but rocky-bottomed, before the canyon opens into a wide bench with views straight at the Fisher Towers’ 900-foot rust-colored monoliths. The creek crossings are the main event: slippery, cobbled, and just deep enough in spring runoff to remind you this isn’t a car-wash special. The two-track tops out on Thompson Mesa before looping back toward the highway.
A capable high-clearance vehicle handles this fine — 4WD is recommended but not always mandatory in dry conditions. The crossings spike in depth May through early June with snowmelt; visit July through October for more predictable water levels. No permit required. Moab is your fuel and supply point. Cell service is nonexistent once you’re in the canyon. Camping is available at the BLM’s Fisher Towers Recreation Site, one of the better free camps in canyon country. Expect company on weekends — this is close enough to Moab that it draws a crowd, but it earns it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | Half day to 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| 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.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle Onion Creek Road without modifications?
Yes. A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Wrangler or 4Runner is the minimum you want here. The creek crossings and rocky sections are manageable stock, but low-clearance SUVs and 2WD vehicles will get hung up on the creek beds.
When is Onion Creek Road passable, and what closes it down?
Best windows are March–May and September–November. Summer flash floods can blow out the creek crossings fast — the canyon funnels water hard. Winter mud and ice make it greasy and unpredictable, so check recent conditions before you go.
Do you need a permit to drive Onion Creek Road or camp along it?
No permit required to drive it. Dispersed camping is allowed under BLM regulations — 14-night stay limit, 200 feet from the creek and road. No fees as of now, but check with the BLM Moab Field Office for any updates.
What's the hardest part of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The multiple Onion Creek crossings are the crux — there are roughly 20 of them and the creek bottom can be soft and unpredictable after rain. The crossings are generally shallow but pick a bad line or hit it after a storm and you're in trouble. Rocky shelf sections near the upper end require a bit of wheel placement but nothing technical.
Is there any water or gas between the trailhead and Fisher Towers, and how far is the nearest fuel in Moab?
Onion Creek itself has water but it's not safe to drink untreated — it runs through selenium-rich rock and has a sulfuric smell. Bring all your own drinking water. Moab is roughly 20–25 miles away and is your last stop for fuel before heading out.
Trail track
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