Scenic Drive through Castle Valley
ScenicEasyYear-round
Follow Highway 128 along the river to see the towering monoliths of Castleton Tower and the Priest and Nuns, famous from many Western films.
Itinerary tips
- 1Allow at least 2 to 3 hours to complete the round trip from Moab with frequent stops for photos.
- 2Pack a picnic to enjoy at the Hittle Bottom Recreation Area or the Parriott Mesa trailhead.
- 3Fill your gas tank in Moab before departing, as there are no refueling stations along Highway 128 or in Castle Valley.
- 4Download offline maps or bring a physical map because cell service is non-existent once you enter the river canyon.
- 5Pull over only at designated paved turnouts to avoid damaging the fragile biological soil crust.
- 6Check for local film shoots or road construction updates, as this route is a frequent location for Hollywood productions.
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
Visit this International Dark Sky Park to witness the Milky Way mirrored above the 2,000-foot sheer cliffs overlooking the Colorado River.
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