Dalton Well Road to Tower Ruin — Moab’s Canyon Country Desert Mesa via Sevenmile Canyon
Hidden ruins and rim views north of Moab.
Most people blow through Moab chasing Hells Revenge or the White Rim and never look north. Dalton Well Road punches off US-191 just above town and climbs onto the red mesa country above Sevenmile Canyon, where the sandstone opens into wide desert benches with canyon-edge views that’ll stop you cold. The route passes through BLM scrubland, skirts the canyon rim above the Colorado River corridor, and dead-ends near a standing stone tower ruin that most tourists never find. The road surface is hardpacked dirt with embedded Wingate sandstone ledges that steepen as you gain the mesa — nothing savage, but it’ll pitch your rig sideways in the wet.
A high-clearance 4WD with all-terrain tires handles this without drama in dry conditions. Spring rains and winter snowmelt turn the clay sections into greased rail — stay home then or get stuck. No permit required. No water on route — carry everything. Cell service is dead once you crest the mesa. Dispersed camping is legal on the BLM ground, and the sunrises here over the La Sal Mountains will make you forget you were ever in a hurry. Best season: March–May and September–November. Moab is your last fuel and resupply stop.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Moab, Utah |
| Land manager | BLM Moab Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Moab Field Office |
| 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 Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner will manage fine. The mixed dirt, rock, and slickrock sections don't demand a lift, but low-range and decent all-terrain tires are non-negotiable.
When is this trail actually driveable — can I run it in summer?
Best windows are March–May and September–November. Summer heat in Moab's canyon country is brutal and can push temps well past 100°F with zero shade on the mesa, making it genuinely dangerous. Winter brings snow and ice that turns the slickrock sections ugly fast.
Do I need a permit to drive this trail or camp out here?
No permit required to drive the trail. Dispersed camping on BLM land follows standard Leave No Trace rules — camp 200 feet from water, roads, and cultural sites, and do not camp directly at or near the Tower Ruin. The BLM Moab Field Office manages this area; check with them for any fire restrictions before you go.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The slickrock bench sections approaching the canyon rim are where things tighten up — off-camber ledges and loose embedded rock demand deliberate line choice. Nothing here will stop a capable rig with an experienced driver, but sloppy throttle work on the tilted slickrock can get you in trouble fast.
There's no cell service out there — how far is the nearest gas and water before I head out?
Fuel up in Moab before leaving; it's your last guaranteed stop and you're looking at roughly 36 miles round-trip on top of any town driving. Carry all your water — there are no reliable water sources on this trail, and 18 miles of desert mesa in dry Utah air will burn through your supply quicker than you expect.
Trail track
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