White Rim

The White Rim Trail is the premier multi-day trail in Moab, Utah. The entire route encompasses over 90 miles of off-road driving. On the White Rim, you’ll get to experience the beautiful scenery of the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park first hand while tackling the challenging terrain. The trail gets its name from the layer of white sandstone on which it sits. White Rim sandstone is considerably harder than the red Moenkopi Formation sandstone above or the Organ Rock Shale below. The differential erosion creates some of the very unique geological features along the trail. The trail was first created during the 1950s with the intent of mining uranium needed for the production of nuclear weapons for the Cold War. Though uranium was present, the mines produced little compared to others in the region. Thus they were abandoned. But the road remains. White Rim has something for everyone. Besides enticing driving, the trail offers numerous hikes, an abundance of stunning views, and many campsites with absolute solitude. Traveling along White Rim gives a whole new appreciation of Canyonlands and a perspective of the park that can’t be attained anywhere else.

There are twenty individual campsites throughout ten areas along the White Rim Trail. Each area has a vault toilet. The sites are usually spaced far enough apart to stay out of earshot and visibility from each other. Each site can accommodate up to 3 vehicles and 15 people. Campfires are not permitted. There is no potable water at the sites, so bring an adequate amount. Remember that while on the White Rim Trail, all travelers must stay at designated campsites only. Even if stranded along White Rim, dispersed camping is not allowed. Island in the Sky District takes reservations up to 4 months in advance. Additionally, Canyonlands National Park is a dark sky location, with no light pollution. On clear nights, you can expect amazing views of the stars. White Rim Trail campsites: - Waypoint 1: Shafer The Shafer campsite is not actually on White Rim, but instead about one mile up Potash Road. There is one site, and it is surrounded by canyon walls that can be gorgeous during sunrise and sunset. Unfortunately, it has its drawbacks. Being so close to the end of Shafer trail and the trailhead of White Rim, many other travelers will pass by, making use of the toilets, and using up the toilet paper. You may also have drivers pass by early in the morning or late at night, and their headlights and engine noise may be disruptive. But, if you are looking to start White Rim early in the morning, spending the night before here may be a good choice. - Waypoints 12 and 13: Airport There are four campsites in front of Airport Tower: A, B, C, and D. The spacing between the sites is generous, giving you and your group plenty of privacy, making these sites a great choice for travelers in large groups. Sites A and B share a toilet as do sites C and D. Sites B and C are closer to the road but also closer to the toilet. Users of sites A and D will be in for a hike to use their shared toilets. Unfortunately, the wide-open space also means no shade at all. They can be windy at times. The campground is also very rocky, which will be of no consequence for those camping in or on their vehicles. Tent campers could be in for a rough night. - Waypoint 22: Gooseberry Gooseberry has two campsites: A and B. Site A provides a little shade thanks to some juniper trees. It is close to the edge of the canyon, so be sure to make camp during daylight hours for safety reasons. Site B is larger and provides more privacy and is also closer to the shared toilet. Both sites can be windy. - Waypoint 28: White Crack White Crack is known as one of, if not the best campsite in all of Canyonlands. It’s a single site with amazing views and pure solitude. There is also some shade provided by a small patch of trees. The site is reached after driving along a 1.4-mile spur off Waypoint 28. This is the southernmost point you can drive in the Island in the Sky District of the park and is about halfway through White Rim. If there is any negative point to this site, it is that there is a small parking area near a hiking trail, where other travelers may stop by. But, they should all be gone by sunset. Because of all this site had to offer, it is often the first booked site. If you want to stay here, reserve it as early as you can. Even at 4 months out, which is the earliest you can reserve the site, it is often the first campsite taken. - Waypoints 34 and 36: Murphy Hogback Immediately after completing the demanding climb of Murphy Hogback, you will find Murphy Hogback Campsites A, B, and C. Situated atop the mesa, sites A and C offer incredible views but at the cost of potential wind. Site A is about as close to the cliff edge as you’re going to get at any site, so set up your site when you have adequate sunlight. Site B will have less wind exposure than A and C and is close to the Murphy Hogback Hiking Trail. The toilet is shared between sites A and B, though it is closer to A. Site C has a few trees as well and its own toilet and boasts an amazing view after a short walk from the site. All of the sites are well spaced, despite being somewhat close together. While it is great to relax at camp after tackling the climb, you’ll likely have many other park-goers taking a break there as well after completing the climb, or stopping to scope out the descent, if traveling in the other direction. This also means the toilets may be more used than most. - Waypoint 43: Candlestick With Candlestick Tower dominating the skyline, this single campsite is located across the road from Stillwater Canyon. It’s not likely to be busy, so you’ll have the view of the canyon all to yourself at sunset. The site is wide open with ample space and has its own toilet just a short walk away. - Waypoints 47 and 48: Potato Bottom Depending on the time of year and a little bit of luck, the sites of Potato Bottom can be great. Site A has a tree large enough to easily shade one or two vehicles, making it a wonderful retreat from the sun. It has its own toilet, but it’s also the closest one to the road, so it may be used by others as well. This site is also the most likely to be muddy after a rainfall. Site B has trees as well, and is a little further off the road, giving you a little more privacy. It shares a toilet with site C and will be a little less muddy. Site C has lots of trees, is the most private, and the least likely to be muddy after rain. Despite being close, accessing the Green River from the camps is difficult. Even if you do make it to the river, don’t expect any beaches to relax on. These sites can be buggy from late spring to early fall, and even the least muddy of sites can still be bothersome. Despite being some of the few sites without expansive views, the cliffs to the east will light up red at sunset. These campsites are a bit of a gamble, but during the right season and weather conditions, they’re certainly worth it. Additionally, both Potato Bottom and Hardscrabble are reasonably close to the water crossing of Upheaval Bottom, allowing you to scope it out the following morning and, if need be, turn back. - Waypoint 52: Hardscrabble Just like Potato Bottom, the campsites of Hardscrabble are located along the Green River. There are 2 sites, A and B, each with some trees and their own toilet. The toilet for site B is a bit of a distance away, but the site is close enough to the river that you may be able to find a path through the brush and enjoy a small beach. Both sites can also be muddy after rainfall. Just like Potato Bottom, Hardscrabble is close to the water crossing of Upheaval Bottom, allowing you to scope it out the following morning and, if need be, turn back. - Waypoint 57: Taylor This single site is found about 4.6 miles up Taylor Canyon Road, and well away from White Rim. Along with views of the nearby Moses and Zeus rock formations, you can expect to have a peaceful, quiet night. During the day though, it can be a busy area with hikers and climbers passing through, who you can watch take on the nearby pinnacles. The site might be a bit cramped for 3 vehicles, but it’s flat. - Waypoint 58: Labyrinth Sites A and B of Labyrinth are the last two designated campsites along White Rim. B is the nicer of the two, with more level ground and is situated above the river with better views. There are no trees. Both sites share a toilet. After another 2.4 miles, you officially exit the park at Waypoint 59. From that point on, dispersed camping is allowed, if you can find it.