Picnic at the La Sal Mountain Loop
Escape the desert heat by driving into the high alpine forests for panoramic views of the red rocks from 10,000 feet.
Itinerary tips
- 1Pack a cooler with plenty of water and hearty layers, as temperatures can be 20 degrees cooler than the Moab valley floor.
- 2Allocate at least three to four hours for the full 60-mile loop to account for winding roads and frequent photo stops.
- 3Stop at the Oowah Lake or Warner Lake turn-offs for the most secluded and scenic designated picnic sites under the aspens.
- 4Ensure your vehicle has at least a half-tank of gas, as there are no refueling stations once you leave Highway 191.
- 5Check local forest service alerts for road conditions if traveling in a low-clearance vehicle, though the main loop is paved.
- 6Download offline maps or bring a physical atlas since cellular reception is virtually non-existent in the mountain canyons.
More in Moab
Drive the Shafer Trail Switchbacks
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.
ScenicStargaze at Dead Horse Point
Visit this International Dark Sky Park after hours to see the Milky Way arching over the gooseneck curves of the Colorado River far below.
ScenicWatch the Sunrise at Mesa Arch
Peer through the 'eye' of the arch as it frames the vast canyon system of Canyonlands, illuminated by the first light of day.
ScenicStargaze at Dead Horse Point State Park
Experience one of the world's premier International Dark Sky Parks, where the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye above a 2,000-foot sheer drop.
Scenic

