Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-128)
a day / 44 miles / an hour 16 minutes
Cutting through the red rock gorge of the Colorado River, this route offers a panoramic view of the LaSal Mountains, whose snow-capped peaks rise in vivid contrast to the red rock sandstone typical of this canyon country.
Day 1
This spectacular route along the Colorado River gorge begins at the U.S. Route 191 south of the Colorado River Bridge on the north end of Moab.
9:05 - 0.0 miles / - 9:05
Lions Park / Moab Boulder Park
A lovely park with big shade trees along the riverbank. Restrooms and picnic areas are available. Facilities are wheelchair-accessible.
Geared toward beginners at climbing park has three custom-made boulders that were color-matched to blend with Moab’s surrounding red rocks, and a thick rubber surface beneath to cushion the falls.9:10 - 3.1 miles / 5 minutes - 9:15
A lovely canyon, named after William Grandstaff, an African American prospector and rancher who grazed his cattle here during the late 1800s, leads to the sixth largest natural bridge in the United States, the Morning Glory.
13:15 - 4.5 miles / 7 minutes - 13:23
Located along the Colorado River, visitors enjoy a sandy beach, boat launch, river viewing areas, picnic tables, and campsites.
13:28 - 0.3 miles / - 13:28
Located right off the highway, literally across the street from the Colorado River, it is hard to find a more scenic location for bouldering.
13:33 - 6.3 miles / 10 minutes - 13:44
Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage
In addition to all other attractions, Red Cliffs Lodge is home to museum showcasing local film locations. Free admission.
13:49 - 3.1 miles / 5 minutes - 13:54
Gifts, groceries, snacks and gear.
13:59 - 4.2 miles / 7 minutes - 14:07
The roadside viewpoint provides one of the grandest views in the west, the red rock spires of the Fisher Towers set against the often snow covered peaks of the La Sal Mountains.
14:12 - 1.9 miles / 3 minutes - 14:15
The trail makes a 3 mile loop through the Richardson Amphitheater, a broad valley along the Colorado River that is surrounded by high redrock sandstone cliffs. A cutoff trail bisects the loop dividing it into 2 smaller sections that provide hikers with shorter alternatives to the main loop.
16:30 - 6.7 miles / 11 minutes - 16:41
Dewey Suspension Bridge Overlook
This wood-and-iron bridge across the Colorado River was built in 1916 and remained the longest suspension bridge in Utah until it was destroyed by fire in 2008.
16:46 - 14.0 miles / 24 minutes - 17:11