Potash Road — Moab Rim to Colorado River Canyon via Evaporite Flats
Colorado River canyon walls, dino tracks, blue ponds.
Utah 279 turns to dirt past the Potash plant and that’s where this road earns its place in any Moab-area trip plan. The Colorado River presses hard against Wingate sandstone cliffs on your left, and the road runs right along the bank — close enough that flood debris still marks the high-water lines on the rock faces. Before you hit the ponds, pull over at the signed pullouts: there are Fremont petroglyphs pecked into the canyon walls and actual Cretaceous dinosaur tracks embedded in the sandstone bench above the waterline. The evaporation ponds themselves — bright turquoise from the mineral treatment process — look alien against the red desert, and the road eventually terminates at the Shafer Trail junction, which climbs the canyon rim hard and fast.
The lower section of Potash Road is accessible to most high-clearance vehicles and even passenger cars in dry conditions, making it approachable — but the connection to Shafer Trail up the rim is a different animal entirely. Steep, loose, and exposed, that section wants a capable 4WD with lockers and a driver who’s done it before. Spring and fall are ideal; summer heat in the canyon is serious and shade is nonexistent. No permit required for Potash Road itself. Water, fuel, and food all need to be sorted in Moab before departure. What you get is one of the most visually concentrated canyon drives in the American Southwest.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | Half day to 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4200 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD (4WD for Shafer connection) |
| Nearest town | Moab, UT |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Moab Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run Potash Road without modifications?
Yes. The main route is manageable in a stock high-clearance 2WD truck or SUV under dry conditions. If you're connecting to Shafer Trail or heading up toward the rim, you'll want 4WD and some ground clearance.
When does Potash Road close, and is it drivable in summer heat?
The road has no formal seasonal closure, but spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the sweet spots. Summer temps in the canyon regularly hit 100°F+, which is miserable and hard on vehicles and people alike.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on Potash Road?
No permit required to drive it. Dispersed camping is free on BLM land along the route, but you're limited to designated sites in some areas — check the BLM Moab Field Office for current camping restrictions before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
The route itself is relatively tame — loose gravel, some embedded rock, and sandy stretches near the river. The technical challenge is low; the bigger hazard is soft sand near the Colorado River bottom if you wander off the main track.
How far is it from Moab, and is there any water available along the route?
The trailhead is about 5 miles southwest of Moab on Kane Creek Blvd — easy to reach. There is no potable water on the route, so carry everything you need; the Colorado River water is not safe to drink without serious filtration and treatment.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.