Chicken Corners
Moab, Utah (Grand) Technical Rating: 3
Last Updated: 05-14-2018
Moab
Moab
BLM/Moab Field Office
Chicken Corners Highlights
Moab, Utah is one of the premier off-road and four-wheel drive destinations. Comprised of some of the most well-known trails in all of the United States it has trail types that suit all drivers wheeling desires. Some would call it an "off-roader's paradise". Amongst these trails, Chicken Corners is one of the more popular "easy" trails in the entire area. It follows down a beautiful shelf road and eventually runs along the Colorado River with plenty of viewpoints along the way. The last portion, known as "Chicken Corners", gives you a straight down view of the river way below. Combine this trail with the more difficult and remote Lockhart Basin for an overland trip through the desert to the Canyonlands Needles District.
Technical rating: (3) Easy
Dirt road. Rutted, washes, or gulches. Water crossings up to 6" depth. Passable mud. Grades up to 10 degrees. Small rocks or holes. 4WD recommended but 2WD possible under good conditions and with adequate ground clearance and skill. No width problems for any normal vehicle. Vehicle passing spots frequently available if less than two vehicles wide.
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Directions to Trailhead
Follow Hurrah Pass to its end point where Hurrah Pass turns into Chicken Corners.
Trailhead GPS Coordinates:
38° 28' 55.53"N
109° 37' 30.12"W
Topo Maps:
GPS Exchange File:
Route Description
Hurrah Pass, if you keep going, turns into Chicken Corners. Chicken Corners is mostly a dirt and rock road with some patches of sand. The first stretch is a long descending shelf road that winds along the cliff walls. As you come to the bottom, the trail turns shortly into a wash before climbing back up and follows the edge of the Colorado River for portions as it takes you through the desert. Any high clearance SUV can do this road in dry weather.
2: Shelf Road Example (0.6mi)
Although it may look intimidating if you are new to off-roading, there are plenty of places to pull off. Remember, uphill has the right of way. Keep an eye ahead as you watch vehicles come up so you can choose a wide spot to pull over and let them by. Note: the shelf road starts almost immediately when you start the trail, this is the beginning of the more narrow parts.
3: Wash and Basecamp Lodge (2.4mi)
Continue straight in the wash area past the Basecamp Lodge sign.
4: Minor Obstacles (2.8mi)
Turn up out of the wash and travel up this minor bit of slick rock. It will look like you can go straight, but up the slick rock is the way to go. This is the most technical portion of the entire off-road trail.
5: Intersection - The Catacomb Rock (4.1mi)
Continue straight if you are short of time. Turn left (south) to explore The Catacomb Rock, which is filled with tunnels and caves throughout. It is worth it.
6: Catacomb Rock (4.3mi)
There are plenty of catacomb spurs to go explore inside the rock. Many people take a nice long break at this location. Return back out the main trail or for a short and more challenging add-on trail for the day, try the Catacomb Spur Trail.
7: Spur - Colorado River Access (5.4mi)
Continue straight or turn right (north) for camping and Colorado River access. Be warned, there are a million bugs along the river and it stinks pretty bad.
8: Scenic (6.4mi)
Continue straight. The monolith you see consistently across the river is called "Pyramid Butte".
9: Lockhart Basin Trailhead (7.4mi)
Continue straight past the sign that typically has some type of rubber or stuffed chicken hanging from it. Turn left (south) for the more challenging Lockart Basin.
10: Designated Camping Area (10.4mi)
Continue straight. This camping location can hold several vehicles.
11: Chicken Corners (10.5mi)
Continue around the corner. It is wider than it looks, but there is no room for oncoming vehicles to pull over, so ensure you are clear before driving. Legend has it that Moab area guides were reputed to allow "chicken" passengers to walk, rather than ride, past the narrow, sloping section of this route.
12: End (12.0mi)
There is room for about 5 vehicles to park. This is a great spot to relax after the drive out. There is a footpath at the end which takes you way out along the cliff. This is where we chickened out!
Camping and Lodging
Chicken Corners does have designated dispersed camping locations in the middle portion of the trail at Waypoints 6, 7, and 10.
Remember, when using free designated sites, you are required to remove all solid human waste from the area. Campers are required to possess, set up, and use portable toilets. Campers may not bury or leave exposed, solid human body waste or soiled toilet paper. The disposal of solid human waste off public land is required. You must camp only in marked sites, and no wood cutting is allowed. Following these simple rules will ensure that the sites are attractive to future campers. Enjoy your stay! The Moab Field Office maintains 26 campgrounds.
Todd
Todd is an avid wheeler who loves to explore new trails whenever and wherever he can. They say necessity is the mother of all invention and...
Read MoreQuestions & Answers
No questions have been submitted.Trip Reports
On my way to the Overland Expo, I wanted to hit a quick trail that I could camp on. Chicken Corners offers great scenery with easy wheeling so I chose this trail for my evening layover.
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