Schafer Trail
Original uranium hauling road to White Rim
Schafer Trail carved its reputation as the uranium haulers’ highway in the 1950s, when Charlie Steen’s miners used this exposed switchback road to haul ore from the White Rim to the processing mills above. The trail drops 1,400 feet down the canyon wall in a series of exposed shelf switchbacks, where the original mining road clings to sandstone ledges with minimal guardrails and maximum exposure. Dead Horse Point overlook marks the start, but once you commit to the descent, the only way out is down to the White Rim or back up the way you came.
This is a moderate technical route suitable for stock high-clearance 4WD vehicles, though the exposure factor makes it feel harder than it actually is. The sandstone can be slippery when wet, so avoid it during storms or snow season. Spring through fall offers the best conditions, with dispersed camping available on the White Rim below. What you get is access to some of Utah’s most spectacular red rock country and the satisfaction of driving a piece of mining history that most tourists only glimpse from above.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 8 mi / 12.9 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6000 ft |
| Best season | March-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Moab, Utah |
| Land manager | Canyonlands National Park |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | nps.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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle Schafer Trail without modifications?
Yes — stock high-clearance 4WD is the minimum and it's enough for most drivers. The switchbacks and ledges are tight but not extreme; lockers and skid plates are helpful but not required if you pick good lines.
When is Schafer Trail open and are there any seasonal closures?
The trail is generally accessible March through November. Winter snow and ice make the exposed switchbacks genuinely dangerous, and spring mud can close sections — check NPS road conditions before you go.
Do I need a permit to drive Schafer Trail?
Yes — it falls within Canyonlands National Park, so you need a permit. Day-use and overnight backcountry permits are issued through Recreation.gov and the White Rim Road permit system; book early, especially for spring and fall.
What's the hardest part of Schafer Trail and what should I actually expect?
The upper switchbacks are the crux — narrow shelf road with sheer drop-offs and no guardrails. Exposure is the real challenge here, not technical rock crawling; if heights bother your passenger, warn them before you start the descent.
Is there any water or gas available on or near the trail?
No water or services on the trail itself — fuel up in Moab before you leave. If you're continuing onto White Rim Road after Schafer, carry enough water and fuel for the full White Rim loop, which can exceed 100 miles of remote desert with zero services.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.