6 Scenic Drives in Moab that DON’T Require Four Wheel Drive

You don’t need to own a 4×4 jeep or a dune buggy to explore Moab, UT. We’ve compiled a list of rental-car-ready scenic drives that will allow you to experience the breathtaking landscape of Moab, without getting yourselves stuck in the sand!

After exploring St. George and Zion National Park, we packed up the car and drove northeast to the red cliffs of Moab. While we had the luxury of hiking around Zion mostly on foot, we quickly learned that Moab is a driving town. With hundred of miles of double-track trails, this desert town is a mecca for the off-roading community.

Our plucky little Ford Focus has plenty of spunk, but it’s no match for the type of technical off-road terrain found out here. (We could barely manage the dirt road out to our BLM campground.) Thankfully, we did a little research online and uncovered a treasure trove of scenic drives in the area that are readily-accessible for 2-wheel-drive vehicles like ours.

Especially on a hot day, going for a long scenic drive can be a great way to beat the heat. It’s also a great way to get a sense of your surroundings. Crank the A/C, put on some music, and take a spin around Moab.

All of the scenic drives listed below have been tested and approved by our spritely Ford Focus!

1. Kane Creek (Route 145)

Summary: The road starts from the town of Moab, and follows the eastern side of the Colorado River. The first half is a narrow paved road, while the second half is a well-maintained and incredibly picturesque dirt road. There are lots of great campgrounds along this route, with some of the more spectacular sites being further back in the canyon.

Itinerary

Matheson Wetlands Preserve: As soon as Kane Creek Road connects with the Colorado River, you will arrive at the Matheson Wetlands Preserve. There’s a mile long trail that runs through the preserve, allowing you to catch a glimpse of the over 200 species of birds that live here, as well as other wetland animals, like beavers and river otters.

Moonflower Canyon (2 miles in): A little ways down you’ll see a pull-off on the left side of the road for Moonflower Canyon. There’s a short trail that leads back into the canyon to a reflecting pool. There are 8 primitive walk-in campsites along this trail, so be sure to stay on the path, otherwise you might wander into somebody’s campsite.

Birthing Scene Petroglyph Boulder (6 miles in): After the road turns to dirt, you’ll see a pull off on the left side of the road. Down from the road, you’ll see a larger boulder with petroglyphs on all four sides. Here you will find the famous “Birthing Scene” on the eastern side of the boulder, which faces the road.

Crazy Switchbacks: So this might be not be for everyone, but a few miles down the canyon after the birthing scene petroglyph, you’ll arrive at some gnarly switchbacks. If you’re timid about driving next to steep ledges then this probably isn’t for you, but if enjoy driving a road that feels like it’s trying to twist and turn from underneath you, then this section can be a lot of fun. There’s also a few more campgrounds down past the switchbacks if you’re looking to camp in the canyon.

2. Upper Colorado Scenic Byway 128 to Cisco 

Summary: This beautiful stretch of road is known as “River Road” to the locals, and can be picked up just north of town. The road follows a narrow red rock canyon that’s been carved out by the Colorado River, before opening up and transitioning into an open desert landscape. This road will lead you to the semi-abandoned ghost town of Cisco. This route is also a good one to do in reverse (starting in Cisco and ending in Moab) if you’re heading into Moab from the 70.

Itinerary

The Priest, The Nuns & Castle Rock: Shortly after passing the tiny town of Castle Valley, you will see some dramatic rock formations to your left. The Priest comes first, followed by “the Nuns”, with Castle Rock towering directly ahead.

Warner Lake & Campground (21 miles in): This beautiful mountain lake is situated amidst pines and white-barked aspens. The temperature up here is usually 20 degree cooler than down in Moab, so it can be wonderful place to escape the heat. There is also a campground and cabin here that can be rented via Recreation.gov.

The lake is not directly on the La Sal Mountain Loop road. About 28 miles after turning off highway 191, you’ll see Warner Lake Road on your left. Continue down this dirt road for approximately 4 miles and you will arrive at the lake.

Mt. Peale Hike (45 miles in): If you’re interested in extending your drive, you might consider heading out over La Sal Mountain Pass. You’ll see a marked sign on your left that leads back into the mountains. From here you can access the trailhead for Mt. Peale – the tallest mountain in the the range.

5. Dead Horse Mesa Scenic Byway

Summary:  With Canyonlands and Arches being so close, Dead Horse State Park is often overlooked. However, it offers one of the most spectacular vistas in the entire Moab area.  While we visited in the mid-afternoon, this is an amazing place to catch sunset. According to the website, it is one of the most photographed vistas in the entire world. (We’re not entirely sure how they calculate that, but we aren’t going to argue. It was pretty spectacular.)

There is a $10 fee to enter Dead Horse State Park. They take both cash and credit card.

Itinerary

Dead Horse Point Overlook: A peninsula of rock perched on the edge of immense sandstone cliffs, this scenic point is connected to the rest of the mesa by just a 30 yard neck. Cowboys used to herd wild mustangs onto the point and stack brush across the narrow isthmus to prevent them from escaping. They would then select the horses they wanted to keep and release the rest. On one tragic occasion, the cowboys left without releasing the rest of the herd. Without any water source, the horses all died of thirst, despite being in sight of the Colorado River 2000 feet below. Hence the name: Dead Horse Point.

The overlook has a variety of paved walking paths, that visitors can explore and take in the panoramic views of the red rock canyons that have been carved by the Colorado River.

Rim Trail Hike (5.2 miles): If you have some more time to spend in the park, consider hiking the Dead Horse Point rim trail. You can read the trail notes and see a map here.

6. Arches National Park Scenic Drive

Summary: In terms of scenic drives in the area, the main road through Arches National Park is the most famous. However, it is also the most crowded. You will need to reserve a timed entry ticket in advance to be able to visit. Despite the ticketed reservation system, parking in the park is very limited, so try to snag the earliest entry you can! Not only is the park more manageable early in the morning, but the temperatures are much cooler. The rising sun also brings out the red in the rocks, adding to the dramatic landscape.

Itinerary

Clearly there’s a lot to do in Arches National Park and we won’t claim to have done enough of it to give a definitive Must-See list. However what follows below are some of the places we visited and enjoyed.

Double Arch: We actually came here to see Window Arch for sunrise. Apparently, the sun rises through the arch, which makes for a spectacular photo. However, there was a small crowd of photographers already there when we arrived. Rather try to jockey for position so we could take the exact same picture as two dozen other people, we decided to take a short walk over Double Arch. Nobody was there, so we got to climb around and explore without being disturbed.

Delicate Arch: This is perhaps the most famous arch in the entire park. By the time we got to the trailhead, the parking lot was already mobbed so we decided to skip it. Although if you arrive early enough, we’ve been told by friends that it’s a spectacular experience.

Devil’s Garden (Landscape Arch): This hike can be found at the very end of the Arches Scenic Drive. There are a variety of trails, which range from a short out and back to a more substantial half-day loop. Here, you’ll pass through incredible rock fins, which keeps the trail relatively shaded. This is also how you access Landscape Arch, which is even more precarious looking than delicate arch.

We had an awesome time in Moab, and we’ll definitely be back. If you have any suggestions of things that we missed and should check out next time, let us know in the comments below!