Conquering the Edge: Driving the "Dangerous" Shafer Trail Switchbacks

Conquering the Edge: Driving and Hiking the Shafer Canyon Area

Shafer Cayon Trail

There's a certain thrill that comes with a road labeled "dangerous." For a while, the Shafer Trail in Canyonlands National Park was on our "maybe one day" list. So when we heard it had been newly graded, we dropped everything. This post is the ultimate guide to the Shafer Canyon area, covering both the thrilling drive down the infamous switchbacks and the beautiful, short hike to the overlook that offers its own incredible views.

The Golden Nugget 🌟

Don't Miss This: The Potash Ponds. After the dramatic descent and desert landscapes, the sudden appearance of vibrant, electric-blue evaporation ponds against the red rock is a stunning and surreal sight you have to see to believe.

Adventure at a Glance

• 🏞️ Park: Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district), Utah
• 🚶‍♀️ Activity: 4x4 Driving & Easy Hiking
• ⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
• ☀️ Best For: Thrilling drives, epic canyon views, accessible overlooks.
• ⏳ Recommended Time: 3-4 hours to do both the drive and the hike.
• 🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: The Shafer Trail switchbacks, Shafer Canyon Overlook, the Colorado River, the Potash Ponds.

My Shafer Canyon Adventures

The Thrill of the Drive

The descent down the narrow Shafer Trail switchbacks is everything it's hyped up to be—a dizzying, exhilarating experience. We timed our trip perfectly during Jeep Safari weekend in Moab, so the road was freshly graded and full of cool vehicles. Once at the bottom, the landscape transforms into a majestic world of towering cliffs that reminded me of Petra. We explored the side roads, marveling at a massive balanced rock and the surreal blue Potash Ponds. It's an epic adventure from top to bottom.

VR Video Treasure Hunt!

• 🔎 Jeep Safari: Can you spot some of the cool, modified Jeeps navigating the trail alongside us?
• 🔎 The Edge of the Road: Find the shot that best captures just how narrow the road is and how steep the drop-off is!
• 🔎 The Balanced Rock: Look for the massive balanced rock formation that stands guard along the lower part of the trail.
• 🔎 Blue Pools: Can you see the incredible, vibrant blue of the Potash Ponds near the end of our drive?

 Don't Forget the Overlook Hike!

Before or after your drive, don't miss the second draw to this area: the sweet and simple hike to the Shafer Canyon Overlook. This is one of the first viewpoints in the Island in the Sky district and it gives you a fantastic feeling for the immense scale of the landscape. I captured a few 360 videos from the trail for you to experience this gorgeous, easy walk.

My Shafer Trail Story

The timing for our trip was perfect. Not only was the road freshly graded, but it was also Jeep Safari weekend in Moab, which meant we got to see all sorts of cool vehicles tackling the trail. The descent down the narrow switchbacks is everything it's hyped up to be—a dizzying, exhilarating experience with views that just keep getting bigger. Once at the bottom, the landscape transforms. The cliffs took on a majestic quality that reminded me of photos I’d seen of Petra in Jordan. We explored the side roads, marveling at the towering rock formations and a massive balanced rock that you definitely don't want to just drive by. The final surprise of the journey was seeing the bright blue Potash evaporation farms, a wild splash of industrial color against the natural red rock. It was such an epic adventure, and we were so glad we finally had the chance to conquer it.

Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints

• ♦️ Check Conditions First: This road is impassable when wet. Always check the road status on the official Canyonlands National Park website before you even consider driving it.
• ♦️ Vehicle Requirements: A high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is required. Do not attempt this in a standard passenger car.
• ♦️ It's a Two-Way Street: Remember that you may encounter vehicles coming uphill. Be prepared to navigate tight passes and yield appropriately.
• ♦️ Love the Switchbacks? Try These!: If you're a fan of thrilling switchback roads, you should definitely check out the Moki Dugway near Valley of the Gods, the descent to the Mineral Bottom boat ramp (great for watching BASE jumpers), and the switchbacks on the Burr Trail Road as it descends into Capitol Reef National Park.

Conclusion

The Shafer Trail is more than just a road; it's a rite of passage for many Moab adventurers. It's a test of nerve that rewards you with access to a world you can't see from the overlooks above. From the engineering marvel of the switchbacks to the serene beauty of the river valley and the surreal colors of the potash farms, this drive is an adventure from top to bottom. It's a journey we were so thrilled to finally take, and I hope this immersive video gives you a taste of the thrill!

Sending Love,

Shauna from VRGetaways