La Sal Mountain Loop Driving Tour
$14.99
La Sal Mountain Loop Driving Tour
Utah’s Most Scenic Drive from Red Rock Desert to Alpine Peaks
If you're searching for the most beautiful scenic drive near Moab, La Sal Mountain Loop Road belongs at the top of your list.
This spectacular route takes travelers from the Colorado River's red rock canyons into the cool alpine forests of the La Sal Mountains, climbing from desert landscapes into mountain terrain in less than an hour. Along the way, you'll experience towering sandstone cliffs, dinosaur tracks, historic ranching country, alpine lakes, dramatic overlooks, and some of the most fascinating geology in the American Southwest.
The loop begins in Moab, follows the Colorado River along Highway 128, climbs through Castle Valley and the La Sal Mountains, then returns to town through mountain forests and high-country meadows.
Why Drive La Sal Mountain Loop Road?
Few scenic drives in America offer such dramatic changes in landscape.
In a single trip you'll see:
The Colorado River
Red rock canyons
Castle Valley
Castleton Tower
Dinosaur tracks
Alpine forests
Oowah Lake
Warner Lake
Snow-capped mountain peaks
Historic mining areas
Famous overlooks
Wildlife viewing opportunities
The route showcases the incredible contrast between Utah's desert and mountain ecosystems, often allowing visitors to experience temperatures that differ by more than twenty degrees between the valley floor and mountain summits.
$14.99
What will you see? Here are the tour highlights
Colorado River Scenic Corridor
The drive begins beside one of North America's most famous rivers. The Colorado River carved many of the Southwest's most iconic landscapes and continues to shape the canyon country around Moab today.
Grandstaff Canyon
One of the area's most popular hikes leads through a shaded canyon to Morning Glory Natural Bridge, a spectacular 243-foot rock span and one of the longest natural bridges in the United States.
Bull Canyon Dinosaur Tracks
Visitors can see 200-million-year-old theropod dinosaur footprints preserved in stone, offering a glimpse into Jurassic Utah when dinosaurs roamed ancient mudflats.
Castle Valley
One of the most photographed landscapes in Utah, Castle Valley features towering sandstone formations, massive mesas, and stunning views of the La Sal Mountains rising behind them.
Castleton Tower
This iconic sandstone tower is one of the most famous rock climbing destinations in North America and dominates the Castle Valley skyline.
La Sal Mountains
The highest peaks rise above 12,000 feet and hold snow long after the surrounding desert has warmed. The mountains create one of the Southwest's most dramatic landscape contrasts.
La Sal Lookout Point
This scenic overlook provides panoramic views of mesas, buttes, river canyons, and mountain peaks, making it one of the most memorable stops on the drive.
Oowah Lake
Located at nearly 9,000 feet elevation, Oowah Lake offers fishing, hiking, mountain scenery, and a refreshing escape from the desert heat below.
Ken's Lake
The final major stop on the route features a beautiful reservoir and nearby Faux Falls, a surprisingly scenic waterfall in the desert.
FAQ's
How long does it take to drive La Sal Mountain Loop Road?
Without stops, the route can be completed in a few hours. Most visitors spend half a day or more exploring overlooks, trailheads, and lakes.
Is La Sal Mountain Loop Road paved?
Yes. The primary scenic loop is paved, although some side roads leading to trailheads and lakes may be seasonal and weather-dependent.
What is the best time to drive La Sal Mountain Loop Road?
Late spring through fall generally offers the best conditions. Snow and mud can affect higher elevations during colder months.
Why are they called the La Sal Mountains?
Spanish explorers in 1776 saw snow-covered peaks above a region known for salt deposits and mistakenly believed the white peaks were made of salt, naming them "Sierra de la Sal" or "Mountains of Salt."
Are there lakes in the La Sal Mountains?
Yes. Oowah Lake and Warner Lake are two popular alpine destinations accessible from the loop road.
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