Poison Strip Road — Book Cliffs Desert Floor to Westwater Canyon Rim via Rabbit Valley
Book Cliffs base to Westwater's edge.
The Book Cliffs are one of the longest continuous escarpments in North America and almost nobody drives their base. Poison Strip Road changes that. Starting near Rabbit Valley off I-70 in western Colorado — where the BLM’s Mygatt-Moore Quarry has pulled Camarasaurus bones out of the ground since the 1980s — the route runs west across open shale flats and through the classic red-and-buff stratigraphy of the Colorado Plateau before pushing into Utah and eventually reaching the dramatic canyon rim above Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River. The canyon drops nearly 300 feet and the river runs Class IV through the granite gorge below. Reaching the rim overlook feels earned — the road crosses loose desert hardpan, wash crossings that can run soft after rain, and a few eroded ledge sections near the canyon edge.
High clearance is essential; 4WD and low range are needed after any moisture since the shale surface turns to grease fast. This is an expert-weather route — avoid it entirely after rain and never underestimate how quickly the washes run. Best season is March through May and September through November. Summer heat in this canyon country is punishing and vehicle-damaging. Carry at minimum two gallons of water per person per day — there is zero reliable water on route. Moab or Grand Junction are your fuel stops. No permits required. Cell service is nonexistent. Dispersed camping is available on BLM land throughout the route.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 44 mi / 70.8 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5800 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Moab, UT |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Grand Junction Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| 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 Poison Strip Road, or do I need a lift?
You need a 4WD high-clearance rig with skid plates minimum — a stock Tacoma or 4Runner can make it, but you'll want at least a mild suspension lift and all-terrain tires. The sandy sections and rocky desert floor will punish low-clearance underbellies, so don't bring anything you're not willing to scrape.
When does Poison Strip Road close, and is it passable in winter?
There's no formal seasonal closure, but the trail is essentially impassable when wet — desert clay turns to axle-deep grease after rain or snow. Stick to the March–May and September–November windows; summer bakes it to 100°F+ and winter moisture kills traction entirely.
Do I need a permit to drive Poison Strip Road or camp along it?
No permit required — it's BLM land managed out of the Grand Junction Field Office. Dispersed camping is free and legal within standard BLM rules: 14-day stay limit, 200 feet from water and roads. No fees, no reservation system.
What's the hardest section of the trail, and what makes it difficult?
The deep sand stretches along the Book Cliffs base are where most rigs get into trouble — momentum management matters and aired-down tires are not optional here. Add in loose rocky climbs as you approach the Westwater Canyon rim and you've got a trail that demands driver attention for most of its 44 miles, not just one bad spot.
Is there any water or gas between the trailhead and Westwater, and how far is the nearest fuel?
There is zero reliable water on this route — water crossings exist but the Colorado desert backcountry is no place to trust surface water without heavy filtration. Fuel up in Moab or Grand Junction before you go; you're looking at 44 miles of trail plus the drive out, so bring more fuel than you think you need.
Trail track
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