Shafer Trail 4x4: Backcountry Canyonlands Half-Day Jeep Tour from Moab

Moab•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

4 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most travelers as a passenger; be able to walk short uneven trails and handle brief standing at viewpoints.

Overview

Descend the Shafer Trail, stand at Thelma and Louise Point, and watch the Colorado River carve the canyon below on a four-hour backcountry 4x4 from Moab. This half-day tour pairs geological context and short walks with off-road adrenaline.

Shafer Trail 4x4: Backcountry Canyonlands Half-Day Jeep Tour from Moab

Jeep

Other

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You climb into the back of a four-door Wrangler as the morning sun sharpens the canyon rim. The engine hums, tires find traction, and within half an hour the red light of Moab gives way to bleached slickrock and a horizon sliced by mesas. The guide outlines the plan: a 30-mile drive into Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky, switchbacks down the famous Shafer Trail and a string of overlooks where the Colorado River dares you to look straight down.

Adventure Photos

Shafer Trail 4x4: Backcountry Canyonlands Half-Day Jeep Tour from Moab photo 1

Adventure Tips

Hydrate and refill

Bring a refillable water bottle; free refills are available at the operator and you’ll be exposed to sun and wind for hours.

Wear sturdy shoes

Short walks from overlooks include slickrock and loose gravel — closed-toe shoes with grip are recommended.

Prepare for motion

The Shafer switchbacks and off-road sections are rough; those prone to motion sickness should take precautions or avoid the tour.

Protect your gear

Dust is omnipresent — use protective cases for cameras and keep electronics in sealed pockets when not shooting.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Desert bighorn sheep
Ravens and red-tailed hawks

History

The Island in the Sky region contains archaeological sites tied to ancestral Puebloan peoples and later Euro-American ranching and river-running histories.

Conservation

Canyonlands’ fragile soils and cryptobiotic crust are easily damaged; stay on roads and marked paths and pack out all trash. Operators follow park guidelines to minimize impact.