Poverty Canyon to Poison Spider Mesa — Moab’s West Side Slickrock Circuit via Gold Bar Rim
Slickrock, canyon drop-offs, and zero excuses.
Poison Spider Mesa is one of Moab’s oldest and most respected slickrock routes, accessed from the Portal trailhead on Highway 279 just north of town. From the highway, the trail climbs immediately onto Entrada sandstone, gaining the mesa top via a rocky ledge line that filters stock rigs fast. The Gold Bar Rim section pushes you to the edge of the Colorado River canyon — a 1,000-foot drop with zero guardrails and views straight down to the Portal walls. The trail loops back via Poison Spider Mesa proper, connecting with the Portal Overlook spur and eventually dropping back to pavement. Side-by-sides and built Jeeps mix out here, but the slickrock navigation demands drivers who can read terrain, not just throttle through it.
This is a solid Difficult-rated technical trail — lockers are strongly recommended, and high ground clearance is mandatory. The sandstone is grippy when dry and glass-slick when wet; don’t attempt after rain. Trail length runs roughly 16 miles round trip with the Gold Bar connector. No permit required currently, but Grand County has discussed fee systems — check with the Moab Field Office before you go. Water at the trailhead only; none on the mesa. Cell service disappears once you’re on the rim. Best season is March through May and September through November. Dispersed camping is not permitted on the mesa itself; established sites are along Highway 279.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 16 mi / 25.7 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4900 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers recommended |
| Nearest town | Moab, Utah |
| Land manager | BLM — Moab Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | BLM Poison Spider Mesa page Moab trail info |
| 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 Poison Spider Mesa, or do I need lockers?
A stock rig will struggle — the slickrock ledges and steep Entrada sandstone pitches on Gold Bar Rim demand real articulation and traction control at minimum. Lockers, front and rear, are strongly recommended. Lifts help but aren't the deciding factor; it's traction and driver skill that matter most here.
When does this trail close, and can you run it in summer?
There's no formal seasonal closure, but summer (June–August) is brutal — 100°F+ temps on exposed slickrock with no shade. March–May and September–November are the sweet spots. Snow and ice in winter make the ledges genuinely dangerous.
Do I need a permit to run Poison Spider Mesa?
No permit required as of now — it's BLM land managed by the Moab Field Office and open to the public. No fees to drive the trail itself, though if you're camping in the area, standard BLM dispersed camping rules apply.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it sketchy?
Gold Bar Rim is where it gets serious — you're running exposed ledges with canyon drop-offs directly above the Colorado River with no guardrails and no bailout. One particular shelf section forces a precise line on angled slickrock; a tire slip there puts you over the edge. This is not the place to be casual about your line choice.
Is there any water on the trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There is no water on this trail — carry everything you need, minimum 2 gallons per person for a day run in shoulder seasons. The trailhead is roughly 8 miles from Moab, so fuel up in town before you go; there's nothing out there.
Trail track
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