The White Rim Road is a roughly hundred-mile unpaved loop that follows a broad sandstone bench in Canyonlands, far below the Island in the Sky mesa and well above the Green and Colorado rivers. From the road you look up at the mesa walls and down into the deep inner canyons, passing named viewpoints, side canyons, arches and, along the way, the long drop of Shafer Canyon. It is a rough, slow road that takes most vehicles a full day at the very least and is more often done as a two-to-four-day camping trip by jeep or mountain bike. Few experiences in Moab country give such a sense of scale or of remoteness. The road demands a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, careful driving and real self-sufficiency, which is why many visitors choose a guided day tour from Moab rather than going alone.
Permits are the central fact of planning. The park requires a day-use permit for every vehicle, motorcycle and bicycle on the White Rim Road, issued through a reservation system with a firm daily limit on vehicles and bikes, and some permits are held back for same-day issue at visitor centers.
Overnight camping at the designated backcountry sites needs a separate permit and is hard to get in the popular spring and autumn seasons, so serious trips are booked well ahead. UTVs, ATVs and other off-highway vehicles are not permitted, which rules out side-by-side tours on this road.
A guided tour is the simplest route for most visitors. Operators based in Moab run day trips that combine the descent of the Shafer Trail switchbacks, the road's best viewpoints and short walks, with a driver who knows the surface and the conditions. You do not need your own four-wheel-drive vehicle, and you can look at the scenery rather than the road.
Expect a long day, often eight hours or more door to door, and a bumpy, dusty ride. Those prone to motion sickness or uneasy with exposure on cliff-edge switchbacks should consider an easier option.
Seasons shape everything. Spring and autumn are the best months, with comfortable temperatures and firmer light. Summer is brutally hot with little shade on the bench, and winter brings cold, shortened days and the chance of snow or ice that can close the descent. Carry far more water than you think you need, bring a spare tire and basic recovery gear if you drive yourself, and leave a detailed plan with someone, as signal is absent and help is a long way off.
What to expect
The experience
A slow, rough high-clearance drive on dirt, usually via the Shafer Trail switchbacks, with viewpoint stops and short walks.
Best time
Spring and autumn; summer is very hot and winter can bring ice or snow on the descent.
How long
A full day for a guided tour; two to four days if you camp or ride bikes.
Tips
Book a guided day trip unless you hold your own permit and a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle; carry plenty of water, food, a spare tire and layers.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Adventurous travelers who want the biggest views in Canyonlands without hiking, and who do not mind a long, bumpy day.
- Families
- Older children who handle long drives and cliff-edge roads can enjoy it; skip it with young children or anyone nervous about heights.
- Couples
- Pick a clear, mild day and stop at the overlooks for the evening light, driving home on the Shafer Trail.
- Pair with
- Island in the Sky and Mesa Arch from the top the next day, to see the same canyons from above.
- Time needed
- A full day, or several days for the whole loop.
Good questions
Do I need a permit for the White Rim Road?+
Yes. Every vehicle, motorcycle and bicycle needs a day-use permit, issued with daily limits through the park's reservation system, with some held for same-day issue. Overnight camping needs its own permit. A guided tour operator can explain how permits work for the trip.
Can I drive it in my own car?+
Only with a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle and a permit. Ordinary rental cars are not suitable and rental agreements often forbid unpaved roads.
Can I use a UTV or side-by-side?+
No. Canyonlands does not allow ATVs, UTVs or other off-highway vehicles on its roads, including the White Rim.
How long is the full loop?+
The loop is about a hundred miles of unpaved road. Most people take it slowly, and many spend two to four days on it.
Is it safe in winter?+
Not always. Snow and ice can make the Shafer Trail descent impassable, and daylight is short. Check the park's current conditions before you commit.
