Kokopelli Trail
Colorado Plateau serpent from river to slickrock
The Colorado River drops away 2,000 feet below as you thread your rig between sandstone fins on the rim of Ruby Canyon, knowing that one wrong move sends you tumbling into the drink. The Kokopelli Trail earns its reputation as a 142-mile beast that chews up undercarriages and spits out the unprepared, winding from Loma, Colorado to Moab, Utah across some of the most unforgiving terrain the Colorado Plateau serves up. This isn’t a weekend warrior trail—it’s a legitimate multi-day commitment that demands high-clearance 4WD, recovery gear, and enough food and water for three to five days in country where cell service died 50 miles back.
The route follows ancient river terraces and slickrock benches, climbing to 8,400 feet through aspen groves before dropping into the classic red rock country that made southern Utah famous. You’ll ford multiple water crossings, navigate loose shale descents that’ll test your line choice, and crawl over embedded rock gardens that punch holes in oil pans if you’re not careful. The middle section between Cisco and the La Sal Mountains separates the posers from the players—technical rocky climbs, off-camber shelf roads, and stretches where GPS is more suggestion than gospel. Pack extra fuel; gas stations don’t exist out here, and the nearest reliable resupply is back in Moab at trail’s end.
April through May and September through October offer the sweet spots when snow clears the high country but summer heat hasn’t turned the desert stretches into an oven. Dispersed camping is legal along most of the route, and you’ll want to take advantage—rushing this trail kills the experience and breaks rigs. The BLM manages most of the route, though you’ll cross a patchwork of land ownership that includes some private parcels where staying on the designated trail isn’t optional, it’s the law.
What you get for your trouble is a genuine slice of the old American West—country where uranium miners and cattle ranchers carved roads that barely qualify as suggestions, views that stretch from the Book Cliffs to the La Sals, and the satisfaction of completing one of the Southwest’s legitimate overland challenges. This isn’t Instagram posing—it’s the real deal for drivers who want to test themselves and their rigs against terrain that doesn’t care about your schedule or your ego.
Q: What vehicle do I need for the Kokopelli Trail?
A: High-clearance 4WD is the absolute minimum, with 33-inch tires, skid plates, and recovery gear strongly recommended for the technical rocky sections.
Q: How long does the Kokopelli Trail take to complete?
A: Most drivers need 3-5 days to complete the full 142-mile route, depending on weather, trail conditions, and how much time you spend exploring side canyons.
Q: Are there water crossings on the Kokopelli Trail?
A: Yes, the trail includes multiple water crossings that can become impassable during spring snowmelt or after heavy rains.
Q: When is the best time to drive the Kokopelli Trail?
A: April through May and September through October offer the best conditions, avoiding summer heat and winter snow at elevation.
Q: Can I camp along the Kokopelli Trail?
A: Dispersed camping is allowed along most of the BLM-managed sections of the trail, making multi-day trips feasible.
Q: Do I need permits for the Kokopelli Trail?
A: No permits are required, but the trail crosses multiple land jurisdictions where staying on designated routes is mandatory.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 142 mi / 228.5 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8400 ft |
| Best season | April-May, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Moab, Utah |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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 run the Kokopelli Trail without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can make it, but you'll want at least all-terrain tires and a skid plate. Some rocky sections and embedded sandstone ledges will scrape low-hanging bumpers — lifted rigs have a noticeably easier time, especially in the Rabbit Valley and Bitter Creek areas.
Is the Kokopelli Trail passable in summer, or is it too hot?
Summer is genuinely dangerous here — canyon temps regularly exceed 105°F with no shade and no water resupply. Stick to April–May or September–October. Spring gives you the best wildflowers and manageable water crossings; fall keeps things dry and cooler without the summer brutality.
Do you need a permit to drive the Kokopelli Trail?
No permit is required for vehicle travel on the trail itself — it crosses BLM land the entire way. Standard dispersed camping rules apply: 14-night stay limit, 200 feet from water sources and roads. No fees as of current BLM policy.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect there?
The Cisco Desert and upper slickrock sections near the Utah end are the most technical — loose shale, exposed ledges, and steep shelf roads with minimal room for error. Plan extra time through here and don't run it at night. One bad line on the ledge sections can put you on your roof.
How do I handle the water situation across 142 miles with zero cell service?
There is no reliable water resupply along the route — carry a minimum of 5 gallons per person for the full run and treat any creek water you find. The Colorado River crossing near Loma is your last guaranteed source at the start; after that, assume nothing. Nearest fuel and full resupply is Moab at the end, so top off in Grand Junction before you drop in.
Trail track
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