Moab Poison Spider Mesa Trail

Poison Spider Mesa delivers the classic Moab experience — red sandstone slickrock, thousand-foot cliff exposure, and technical sections that demand precision wheel placement. The trail climbs from the Portal trailhead through increasingly difficult terrain, culminating in the notorious Portal Trail section where a narrow shelf road clings to vertical cliffs above the Colorado River. The mesa top offers sweeping views of Arches National Park and the La Sal Mountains, but most remember the white-knuckle moments navigating sandstone fins with nothing but air on the passenger side.

This is solid intermediate territory requiring high clearance and confident driving on exposed rock. Stock 4WD vehicles can handle most sections, but aggressive tires and skid protection are wise investments. Spring and fall provide ideal conditions when temperatures cooperate and flash flood risks diminish. No permits needed, but check weather conditions religiously — rain turns slickrock into skating rinks. The reward is pure Moab magic: otherworldly landscapes and the satisfaction of conquering one of Utah’s most photogenic technical trails.