Here at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, we get plenty of visitors to our Moab auto shop asking for recommendations of some scenic trails with great views.
We get it. Sometimes you’re just not in the mood for hardcore off-roading. There are days when you want nothing more than to take your family and rig out for a drive, maybe take in the sights. After all, not every off-roading trip has to involve rock crawling and pitting your ride against some exciting obstacles. Thankfully, Moab has some popular trails that are well-suited to nice, scenic drives.
One such trail is the Dome Plateau trail.
Dome Plateau Trail Overview
While it might not be the best trail for serious rock crawling or off-roading, the Dome Plateau trail has a nice variety of views for you to enjoy as well as some minor obstacles.
The Dome Plateau itself is a large highland area that lies to the north of the Colorado River and the east of Arches National Park. To get there from Moab, you have to travel over 28 miles to enter the area from UT 128 beyond Dewey Bridge to the east. Alternatively, you can access it from US 191 to the west or the I-70 to the north. After leaving the highway, you’ll find yourself in a part of the southern highlands that has juniper and pinion forests, undercut by several canyons. During your trip, you can choose to visit Yellowcat and Poison Strip, which are the locales of old vanadium and uranium mines.
This trail has a 4 rating and the first part is the most challenging, calling for careful driving and line choosing. Ensure your 4WD has sufficient ground clearance, enhanced suspension, and tires that are at least 33 inches tall.
Trail Scenery and Surface of Dome Plateau
This trail delivers when it comes to scenery with dramatic arches, numerous overlooks, cathedral-sized caves with soaring roofs, and even some old mining camps with almost-intact cabins for you to explore. Make sure you don’t miss the Entrada Sandstone Cliffs with 3 noteworthy arches including the La Boca Arch and some sandstone caves. There is also an exceptional view of the Colorado River from the overlooking cliffs 1700 feet above it.
Most of the trail surface is sandy, steep, and rocky with moderate ledges in a few places.
Obstacles and Dome Plateau Trail Details
The main notable obstacle on the Dome Plateau trail is Again-and-Again Hill which is mostly loose rock and rocky ledges. The hill is bypassable by a circuitous route for those who don’t wish to tackle it.
Other than that, the rest of the trail offers easy four-wheeling with stunning scenery –something the whole family is sure to enjoy.
If you’re looking for more opportunities to discover this fascinating corner of the country, sign up for our Southern Utah trail rides. We look forward to having you join us at the next event.
