Trail Overview

This is a slick rock and sandy 4WD high-clearance trail with a short section of paved road connecting the Willow Springs Road access point off US 191 north of the Arches National Park main entrance station north of Moab. It proceeds into Arches National Park (no OHVs allowed past the National Park fence on the east end of Willow Springs Road), and then the route turns into a gravel road into Salt Valley. It continues as a dirt road north into the Yellow Cat mining area and back to US 191, not far south of I-70. This is a great family ride with lots of side trips of varying difficulties!

Photos of Salt Valley - Yellow Cat

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Difficulty

4WD high-clearance is advised; some side trips like Tower Arch are level 5 or above with steep and long sandy hills and rocky ledges; Willow Springs and Yellow Cat Roads are sandy, dusty, and can be impassable when wet. OHVs are not allowed into Arches National Park.

History

Most roads are mining roads in this area, with a few short paved sections developed by Arches National Park. Note that local mines were all for toxic substances, so radon dangers exist (uranium and vanadinite).

Technical Rating

Artem G

Mar 16, 2025

Open

Aside from a short stretch of sand, a 2wd sedan could do it no problem.

Gareth Martinez

Feb 27, 2025

Open

David Phillips

Feb 08, 2025

Open

**Advise** This road/trail is longer than the described 10 miles. I started from inside Arches National Park and continued through until reaching Valley City Rd (BLM 144). I clocked just slightly over 18 miles. Road may be taken from either direction. This is a nice backcountry route that helps to avoid some of the traffic of Arches. It's your basic gravel road with some washboarding and soft sandy areas. Nothing to be overly concerned about. However, I would avoid if raining or has rained recently.

Jeremy Smith

Jan 23, 2025

Open

Robert Stephens

Nov 04, 2024

Open

Pretty heavy washboard in sections and also some deep sand here and there - momentum is your friend. Otherwise just a dirt road, more or less. There is one severely washed out spot about halfway in, but BLM (or someone else) made a bypass. Still, watch out because if you’re moving quick you might not see it.