Roll The Windows Down And Take A Drive Down La Sal Mountain Loop Scenic Byway In Utah
By Catherine Armstrong|Published June 15, 2020
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Catherine Armstrong
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Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
A scenic drive is the perfect way to spend an afternoon, and when you’re ready to soak in the beauty of the Beehive State you’ll want to pack a picnic, gas up the car and head to Moab. Let’s explore the La Sal Mountain Loop!
The La Sal Mountain Loop is a 60-mile-long route that's packed with scenic beauty. Before you head out, you'll want to make sure that you have plenty of water, a tank full of gas, a camera, and snacks or a picnic. If you enjoy fishing, bring along your gear and fishing license too.
This scenic drive twists and turns through the La Sal Mountains, and follows the Colorado River. Blind curves are plentiful, so take it slow. It's not recommended for large RVs or trucks with trailers due to the tight switchbacks.
You'll soon come to a turnoff for Oowah Lake. You can take the dirt road to this pretty spot for a picnic and some fishing. As long as the weather is good, the 3.2-mile-long dirt road is navigable by most passenger cars.
When you're ready to say goodbye to Oowah Lake, head back along the dirt road to the highway and continue your scenic drive. Make sure to watch for cattle on the road - they're common out here.
From Oowah Lake or Warner Lake (just a little farther down the La Sal Loop Road), you can take several hiking trails to get some fresh air and exercise. Wildlife is abundant in these areas, so have your camera ready.
The La Sal Mountain range is the most-photographed mountain range in Utah, and you can see why. It's definitely picturesque. It's also the second-highest mountain range in the state, with several peaks above 12,000 feet.
The views through your windshield are magnificent, and there are plenty of points of interest along the way. Check out the Spanish Valley Overlook, the Mill Creek & Horse Creek Canyon Overlook...
...and catch a sweeping view of Castle Valley. Stop at the overlook to soak in this scenery. The valley is 17 miles long, and you can see incredible rock formations and buttes in the distance.
Make your way down a series of steep switchbacks to the valley floor. From here, you'll follow the Colorado River back toward Moab, and it's just as scenic as the rest of the drive.
Plan on taking at least two hours for this drive - longer if you plan to picnic, fish, and hike along the way. There aren't any services along this scenic drive, so be prepared before you head out.
Learn more about the La Sal Mountain Loop Scenic Byway on the Manti-La Sal National Forest’s website, and download a brochure to take along on your trip here.
Looking for another scenic byway in the Moab area? Check out this 18-mile-long road that follow the Colorado River.
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