My dad is coming to visit from Florida and I am taking him to Moab and Monument Valley. He is 82 but gets around pretty good so no major hikes. Will have 2-3 days in each area to explore. Have some plans already but am looking for some off the beaten path places that would good for some photo opportunities. Looking at maps there are a ton of roads south of Moab that I was thinking of exploring. Will be driving a 4Runner so have 4WD but not looking for any technical 4WD areas. This is mostly a photography trip for him. We are staying in Moab and Bluff. Appreciate any insights. Not looking for your secret spots, unless you’re willing to give them up of course, even general ideas and I can look at a map and figure out some as well. Thanks.
Can't help you with Moab, but since you will also be staying in Bluff check out Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley, Goosenecks State Park and Moki Dugway. Enough there to keep you busy for awhile, and all great for a photographer
Fred Amico wrote:
Can't help you with Moab, but since you will also be staying in Bluff check out Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley, Goosenecks State Park and Moki Dugway. Enough there to keep you busy for awhile, and all great for a photographer
Thanks, those are all already on the list. I have been to them all except Goosenecks before.
The mobility restriction will keep you away from some of the more interesting spots, but if you are in Moab, plan for a sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park. If the weather is good, arrive early and expect a crowd. Just bring a couple camp chairs, perhaps some snacks, and enjoy the view as the light changes.
In the same general area, you can do the north entrance to Canyonlands. There are some great views adjacent to the road that require only a little walking.
Depending upon weather, you can also Potash Road, on the north side ot the Colorado River, out to Jug Handle Arch and back. There are some petroglyphs that can be scene adjacent to the road.
Pull up Google maps and zoom in. There are a million and one options. Do read carefully, as some require an increased height vehicle and sometimes, 4wd.
Taperwing wrote:
The mobility restriction will keep you away from some of the more interesting spots, but if you are in Moab, plan for a sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park. If the weather is good, arrive early and expect a crowd. Just bring a couple camp chairs, perhaps some snacks, and enjoy the view as the light changes.
In the same general area, you can do the north entrance to Canyonlands. There are some great views adjacent to the road that require only a little walking.
Depending upon weather, you can also Potash Road, on the north side ot the Colorado River, out to Jug Handle Arch and back. There are some petroglyphs that can be scene adjacent to the road.
Pull up Google maps and zoom in. There are a million and one options. Do read carefully, as some require an increased height vehicle and sometimes, 4wd. ...Show more →
Thanks for the ideas. He doesn’t necessarily have mobility issues, just going not to do a 10 mile hike. I have driven Potash Road from Canyonlands back into Moab before and plan on doing that, he will love it. Might also (or instead) go out to Chicken Corners.
You can do a day drive on the White Rim Trail without a permit. Starting from the visitor center area, the drive isn't bad, but you will definitely need a high-clearance vehicle. Also, the Needles District isn't as crowded as the main part of the park.
TomWitt wrote:
You can do a day drive on the White Rim Trail without a permit. Starting from the visitor center area, the drive isn't bad, but you will definitely need a high-clearance vehicle. Also, the Needles District isn't as crowded as the main part of the park.
I hope this helps with your planning.
Thanks for the info. Have not been to the needles area before so will keep it in mind. I did not know that about White Rim for a day trip. I have the vehicle so not an issue there.
Onion Creek next to Fisher Towers, the Fisher Towers themselves are amazing for photography but require a hike.
The Needles District of Canyonlands sees light visitation. Most of it is technical 4x4 or hiking but even the drive to the end of the easy access road is very nice.
The Schaefer Trail is an easy trail though not particularly scenic. It loops back to Moab below Dead horse point. Goes past Thelma and Louise point.
Castle Valley and the La Salle scenic loop
The Green River Overlook in Canyonlands
The Chicken Corner Trail is easy in a 4Runner. So is the Gemini Bridges trail
The road to Monitor Butte
Moab is amazing as long as you stay away from the clusterf**k that the National Parks have become. Particularly Arches us really not worth the pain outside a few small windows at the very low point of the season.
You can roll this in with a lovely drive along Notom and Burr Trail roads. It's all unpaved and slow, but the scenery is superb! https://maps.app.goo.gl/RpgLEUq4RKnv5Nyx6
A longer hike, about 1/2 mile each way, level but with a bit of sand along the way, is Leprechaun Canyon.
Ruin Park is pretty cool if you like that sort of thing. I wouldn't go if the roads are slick, though. Bring an extra gas container when you gas up in Monticello. You'll go by Newspaper Rock, which if you like rock art, is a dense concentration of petroglyphs, then follow the road to the Beef Basin Rd. Go past Cathedral Rock (couple of side roads give you a great view of the Needles to the north), then some very short strolls to the various ruins. https://www.gjhikes.com/2022/11/ruin-park-village.html
It would be a very long day trip -- I've always camped in there. Don't know if that would work for your dad, but if so, it's worth it.
You can roll this in with a lovely drive along Notom and Burr Trail roads. It's all unpaved and slow, but the scenery is superb! https://maps.app.goo.gl/RpgLEUq4RKnv5Nyx6
A longer hike, about 1/2 mile each way, level but with a bit of sand along the way, is Leprechaun Canyon.
I’ve done the Burr Road switchbacks a couple of times — went out there to photograph in the Muley Twist area. I’ve been up it twice and down once. My preference would be to do the loop clockwise — e.g. starting up north, coming down Notton-Bullfrog, then climbing the switchbacks. (I don’t recall them being all that challenging, though they are an impressive sight.)
On the other hand, if your goal is just photography, and you aren’t so interested in that north-south run on Notton-Bullfrog, just coming in from Boulder and returning the way you came might make more sense — that gets you to (what I consider to be) the most interesting photographic opportunities via a better road.
There’s a lot of great photography opportunities out there, including some that no one talks about…
You can roll this in with a lovely drive along Notom and Burr Trail roads. It's all unpaved and slow, but the scenery is superb! https://maps.app.goo.gl/RpgLEUq4RKnv5Nyx6
A longer hike, about 1/2 mile each way, level but with a bit of sand along the way, is Leprechaun Canyon.
Thank you. I appreciate all of these but they are not near where we are goign to be. Will file them away for another trip, I love that part of Utah so will definitely check them out.
GroovyGeek wrote:
Onion Creek next to Fisher Towers, the Fisher Towers themselves are amazing for photography but require a hike.
The Needles District of Canyonlands sees light visitation. Most of it is technical 4x4 or hiking but even the drive to the end of the easy access road is very nice.
The Schaefer Trail is an easy trail though not particularly scenic. It loops back to Moab below Dead horse point. Goes past Thelma and Louise point.
Castle Valley and the La Salle scenic loop
The Green River Overlook in Canyonlands
The Chicken Corner Trail is easy in a 4Runner. So is the Gemini Bridges trail
The road to Monitor Butte
Moab is amazing as long as you stay away from the clusterf**k that the National Parks have become. Particularly Arches us really not worth the pain outside a few small windows at the very low point of the season.
gdanmitchell wrote:
I’ve done the Burr Road switchbacks a couple of times — went out there to photograph in the Muley Twist area. I’ve been up it twice and down once. My preference would be to do the loop clockwise — e.g. starting up north, coming down Notton-Bullfrog, then climbing the switchbacks. (I don’t recall them being all that challenging, though they are an impressive sight.)
On the other hand, if your goal is just photography, and you aren’t so interested in that north-south run on Notto-Bullfrog, just coming in from Boulder and returning the way you came might make more sense — that gets you to (what I consider to be) the most interesting photographic opportunities via a better road.
There’s a lot of great photography opportunities out there, including some that no one talks about…
Monika C wrote:
Ruin Park is pretty cool if you like that sort of thing. I wouldn't go if the roads are slick, though. Bring an extra gas container when you gas up in Monticello. You'll go by Newspaper Rock, which if you like rock art, is a dense concentration of petroglyphs, then follow the road to the Beef Basin Rd. Go past Cathedral Rock (couple of side roads give you a great view of the Needles to the north), then some very short strolls to the various ruins. https://www.gjhikes.com/2022/11/ruin-park-village.html
It would be a very long day trip -- I've always camped in there. Don't know if that would work for your dad, but if so, it's worth it....Show more →
Thanks for this info. Probably not going to happen on my Dads visit but will definitely check it out on another trip.
Highly recommend the three books on photographing the southwest by Laurent Martres.
Take plenty of water and let people know your travel plans and times to check-in by phone.
elkhornsun wrote:
Highly recommend the three books on photographing the southwest by Laurent Martres.
Take plenty of water and let people know your travel plans and times to check-in by phone.
I don't think it has been mentioned yet but you need to strongly consider a sunset at Muley Point. If you are going to drive the Moki Dugway the turnoff to Muley Point is at the top of the Moki and turns west/southwest. From Muley Point you'll have a birds-eye view of Monument Valley to the west and Goosenecks beneath you. An incredible place.
Here's a good source of Muley Point, with additional information on Moki Dugway:
