Shafer Trail Road — Island in the Sky to Potash Road via the Shafer Switchbacks
A uranium-era cliff road dropped into canyon country.
The Shafer Trail started as a cattle route, and in the 1950s uranium miners widened it into a road. It drops off the Island in the Sky mesa through a series of tight, unguarded switchbacks, losing roughly 1,400 feet in just a few miles. Most of it is one lane with a sheer drop on the outside. You reach the White Rim bench at the bottom, then follow the dirt along the Colorado River side to the Potash Road (UT-279) and roll into Moab. The first overlooks at the top give you a hard look at what you’re about to drive down.
It’s rated moderate, and the rating comes from exposure, not rock. The surface is graded dirt and ledge with a few rough, rocky steps, so high clearance is the minimum and a 4WD is smart, especially after rain. Uphill traffic has the right of way, and passing spots are limited. Day use inside Canyonlands needs no permit, but overnights on the White Rim need one, and you have to camp at designated sites. Bring all your water and fuel, because there’s none below the rim. Cell service is spotty at best. Go spring or fall, since summer heat bakes the canyon floor. What you get is one of the great cliff-hanger descents in the Southwest and a front-row seat to the White Rim country. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 2-4 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6000 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Moab, Utah |
| Land manager | National Park Service, Canyonlands National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | NPS Canyonlands plan your visit |
| Verified | |
| 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 4Runner do the Shafer Trail?
Yes. A stock high-clearance 4WD like a 4Runner handles it fine in dry conditions. The challenge is exposure and tight turns, not technical obstacles.
Is the Shafer Trail open in winter?
Usually, but snow, ice, and mud on the shaded switchbacks can make it dangerous or force closures, and rockfall or washouts can shut it at any time. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-October) are best. Summer brings 100°F+ heat and monsoon-season mud and flash flooding.
Do I need a permit to drive the Shafer Trail?
You pay the Canyonlands National Park entrance fee at Island in the Sky. Overnight trips on the White Rim Road require a reserved permit. Check the NPS Canyonlands page for current day-use rules before you go.
What's the hardest part of the Shafer Trail?
The switchbacks at the top: a narrow dirt shelf with hairpin turns, a 1,400-foot drop, and no guardrails. Uphill traffic has the right-of-way, so be ready to back up to a pullout. Long wheelbases may need a multi-point turn on the tightest corners.
Can I camp along the Shafer Trail, and what should I carry?
No dispersed camping is allowed inside the park. Willow Flat Campground on the mesa and permitted White Rim sites are your options, and BLM land near Moab is the fallback. There's no water or fuel on the route and cell service is spotty, so fill up in Moab and carry extra water.
Trail track
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