Shafer Trail

5/5 (57 reviews)
Moab, Utah (Grand County)
Last Updated: 03/25/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Desert
Iconic
Overland
Scenic
Easy and iconic, the Shafer Trail is a must do when visiting Moab or the Canyonlands. The road was originally a cattle trail built by John Sog Shafer in 1917. Later in the 1940s and 1950s, it was constructed into a useable road for trucks hauling uranium ore from the benches below. Long gone are the remnants of the old mining days but the incredible and imposing rim walls still stand to remind you of just how grand planet Earth really is.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

An entrance fee for Canyonlands National Park is required which you can pay at the visitors center or online. The guide described here is running the trail from top to bottom for the view, but it can be run in any direction. The dirt road is relatively smooth with steep switchbacks and narrow in spots that either descends or rises 1,300' in 5 miles. Almost all of the switchbacks have a small area to pull over if you need to let someone pass. There are no guardrails so be sure to watch the road. The road will close quickly if there is rain so be sure to check the current conditions. This road can be combined with the White Rim or Potash Road to make for a full day or multi-day trip. While this road is suitable for any SUV, if you plan to combine it with White Rim, a higher clearance vehicle will be required.
This road could be very dangerous when wet and will typically be temporarily closed by the National Park Service during wet weather.

Trail Reviews

5/5 (57)
1100
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/27/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Absolutely recommend this trail. It's not difficult, especially if you have 4-Lo and can slowly roll down the hill. You are right on the edge of a very intense cliff though, so only do this if you're ok with that. Epic views. If you're in the area at least hit this one and go back up (or combine with Potash like I did).
5600
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/20/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Epic must do trail, unless you’re afraid of heights, in which case definitely do not do. Just put it in low and glide down easy. You can easily see most of the switchbacks and down into the valley most of the way if you go down from the top so no excuse not to yield the right of way to other drivers. Plenty of wide spots, don’t drive this if you don’t understand or intend to honor switchback etiquette please.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/17/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

The views are fantastic. Take your time and enjoy the views.! The switch backs can be exciting in traffic 😳
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/17/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Essential trail when visiting Moab, especially when combined with the Potash Road. The switchbacks look intimidating, but in good weather they are nothing to worry about. So many great overlooks and photo opportunities. You can make a really good day starting at 191, taking the Gemini Bridges road, connecting to 313, and continuing on to Shafer and Potash Roads. Throw in Bull Canyon for an extra adventure! I was aired down to 20psi from a previous trail, which definitely smoothed things out, but it's not really required. 3rd Gen Tacoma, stock height, Toyo Open Country ATIII "32s", full skids and sliders (not needed).
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/28/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Short and easy trail with amazing views! Shafer Trail is an impressive shelf road experience with a few hundred feet of elevation gain (or drop). There are no real obstacles and you'll usually have enough space to let oncoming traffic pass.

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