The White Rim Road traverses one of the most interesting desert landscapes in the U.S., Canyonlands National Park in Utah. The road extends for 100 miles as a loop around the Island in the Sky mesa , visiting the canyons of the Colorado and Green rivers.
The road has an interesting history in that it was built by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission following World War II to allow access to the uranium mines in the region. The uranium collected was to be used for atomic weapons during the Cold War. But fear not, the mines didn’t yield much, and there’s no risk of contamination from radiation here.
Planning Your Ride on the White Rim Road
A ride along the White Rim Road can be an amazing adventure, but a multi-day trip through the desert comes with a number of hazards you’ll need to be prepared for. Understanding the risks and knowing how to overcome them is critical for a successful trip. This ride can be completed in either two or three days, depending on how often you want to stop. The park entrance fee is $25, and provides access for seven days.
Safety
Understand that there is essentially no shade in Canyonlands, since the rocky terrain only sprouts intermittent bushes. Wear sunscreen and cover as much skin as possible to guard against the punishing UV rays. If you can, avoid visits during the months of July and August, when the temperatures are highest and the sun is most intense.
Before you head out, make sure you know how to fix minor issues with your bike. Towing charges can be as high as $1,000 here, so should something happen, you’ll want to take care of the problem yourself.
The road itself does not present much of a hazard, and even relatively novice dirt track riders shouldn’t have too much difficulty with it. However, roads can wash out and become impassable in the unlikely even of heavy rain.
Fuel
There is no fuel available along the 100-mile route, as the whole road is inside a national park. The closest place to top up is half an hour away in Moab , so you’ll need to carry enough fuel for the ride.
Food and Accommodations
The nearest accommodations are in Moab, and prices range from under $100 for budget chain hotels to about $200 for luxurious ones. Campgrounds are also available in Moab and on the road to Canyonlands.
Inside the park, there are ten camping areas, which are available to those riding the White Rim Road. A campsite permit costs $30, and the sites can hold up to seven people. Permits for the more pleasant spring and fall seasons can be difficult to obtain, so you should apply as early as possible. Applications are accepted up to four months in advance and can be submitted online.
Each campsite has a toilet, but there is no potable water available on the route, so you’ll need to bring enough drinking water for the whole ride. You’ll also need to bring all your own food from Moab. Campfires are not permitted at any of the sites.
Sights
Gooseneck Bend
Gooseneck Bend is one of the most iconic features within Canyonlands National Park. It’s here that the Colorado River bends 180 degrees from north to south within a nearly 1,000-feet-deep canyon. The overlook for the bend is just eight miles east of the Island in the Sky Visitors Center.
Musselman Arch
Unlike those found in nearby Arches National Park, the Musselman Arch is completely flat on top, with the arch materializing only below the rock formation. It creates a bridge, and unlike other natural arches, visitors are free to walk across without the risk of damaging it. The arch is ten miles east of the Island in the Sky Visitors Center.
Lathrop Canyon
If you’re interesting in taking a short side trip, Lathrop Canyon Road detours down to the Colorado River. It can be completed in a little over an hour, as the road is only 10 miles round trip. It’s a relatively easy ride, and the views of the canyon walls are spectacular.
Entrance Road to Island in the Sky Visitor Center – Photo Credit: Greg Willis / CC BY Gooseneck Bend – Photo Credit: Greg Willis / CC BY Musselman Arch – Photo Credit: Greg Willis / CC BY Featured image is of Bighorn Mesa – Photo Credit: Greg Willis / CC BY
