Slickrock Trail to Monitor and Merrimac Buttes
Sandstone buttes towering over canyon country.
The Monitor and Merrimac Buttes sit just north of Moab off US-191, named for the famous Civil War ironclad warships — and they loom over the canyon country like hulking armored vessels. The route drops off the highway into Courthouse Wash drainage before climbing onto the canyon benches through Bull Canyon and up to the bases of both buttes via connecting jeep tracks that grind across exposed Entrada sandstone ledges. The views from the Merrimac saddle back toward Arches National Park to the east and Canyonlands to the southwest are legitimately world-class, and you’ll hit a handful of tippy ledge crossings and sand washes that keep the driving honest the whole way.
This is a moderate-to-difficult high-clearance route — most capable stock 4x4s with decent tires manage it without drama, but it’s not a graded road. Lift and lockers make it significantly more comfortable. Lowered vehicles will get destroyed. Spring and fall are ideal; summer surface temperatures on the slickrock hit scalding levels, and desert flash floods can fill washes without warning. The BLM manages this corridor out of the Moab Field Office, no permits required. Dispersed camping is allowed with a 14-day limit. No water on route — Moab is your last stop for everything.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | 3-5 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4x4 |
| Nearest town | Moab, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Moab Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| 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 Tacoma or 4Runner run Monitor and Merrimac without any mods?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4x4 like a Tacoma or 4Runner can handle it. The slickrock ledges and loose sand sections are the main challenges — low-range 4x4 is required, but lockers aren't necessary for most drivers.
When is this trail actually drivable, and does it get snowed out in winter?
Best windows are March through May and September through November. Summer heat in Moab routinely hits 100°F+, making midday driving brutal. Winter is possible but occasional snow and ice on the slickrock ledges turns moderate into genuinely sketchy.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to run this trail?
No permit required and no trail fee. It's BLM land managed out of the Moab Field Office — just show up and drive. Standard Leave No Trace rules apply for dispersed camping.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
The exposed slickrock ledges approaching the buttes are the crux — steep, off-camber, and unforgiving on tire placement. It's not a wheel-bender, but one bad line on a ledge can high-center a short-wheelbase rig or scrape up a long one. Go slow and spot if you're not sure.
How far is the nearest gas station, and is there water on the trail?
The trailhead is roughly 15 miles north of Moab on US-191 — fuel up in Moab before you leave, there's nothing out there. There is zero water on the trail itself, so carry everything you need for the day plus extra.
Trail track
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