Drive the Shafer Trail Switchbacks
ScenicChallengingSpringSummerFall
Navigate a white-knuckle descent on a dirt road that drops 1,500 feet from the Island in the Sky mesa to the canyon floor.
Itinerary tips
- 1Ensure your vehicle has high clearance and true 4WD with a low-range transfer case, as AWD crossovers often lack the necessary torque and clearance.
- 2Allow at least 2 to 3 hours to complete the descent and reach the Potash Road intersection, or a full day if continuing back to Moab via the White Rim.
- 3Obtain a day-use permit from the Canyonlands National Park website if you plan to travel beyond the Shafer Trail onto the White Rim Road.
- 4Pack a full-size spare tire and basic recovery gear, as towing services from the canyon floor can cost over $1,500.
- 5Start your journey at the Island in the Sky visitor center to check current road conditions and confirm the switchbacks are not washed out from recent rain.
- 6Downshift into low gear before beginning the descent to save your brakes from overheating on the 1,500-foot drop.
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