When you think of amazing places to visit and incredible sites to see, the idea of a road isn’t typically on someone’s list. However, Potash Road isn’t your typical road. Potash Road is located between Moab and Arches National Park that holds many treasures along the way as you follow alongside the Colorado River.
A Little Quick Info About Potash Road
POTASH ROAD GOES BY OTHER NAMES AS WELL – If you read anything or see signs about U-279, or Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway, that’s Potash Road. Whatever you choose to call it, it’s worth checking out!
POTASH ROAD EVENTUALLY TURNS INTO A 4WD ROAD – Potash Road is an easily accessible, paved road for almost 20 miles. Then, it turns into a 4WD road that eventually enters Canyonlands National Park and becomes Shafter Trail.
LOOK OUT FOR CYCLISTS – Potash Road is a very popular destination for cyclists. Be sure to share the road and be on the lookout for them.
IF YOU PLAN TO DO THE HIKING TRAILS WORK YOUR DAY AROUND THOSE – We knew we wanted to do Corona Arch, so we were sure to make that our first stop when it was significantly cooler and did the shorter trails/sites when it was warmer. Just think of this for your safety.
Sites to See Along Potash Road
Wall Street – Rock Climbing Destination
One of the first things you’ll notice while driving along Potash Road is “Wall Street”. This is a section of the cliffside filled with technical routes where you’ll see climber after climber making their way up. (Moab is a very popular spot for rock climbers.) I’m super fascinated by this sport, so I always find it enjoyable to sit and watch them for a bit! If you also want to do this, be sure to pull over. It’s a fairly windy road, so you don’t want to hit a pedestrian or cyclist while looking up at the cliffs.
Potash Road Petroglyphs
If you’re dying to see Native American petroglyphs, but don’t want to do a hike to see them, your answer lies just over 5 miles down Potash Road. Now, there is a pullout and a sign on the Colorado River side of the road where you can easily park to see the petroglyphs. Across the road, on the cliffs look up and you’ll see a decently large panel of petroglyphs including images of anthropomorphic figures, animals and other symbols. These petroglyphs have been dated by archaeologists to between the Archaic and Fremont cultural periods. They’re a beautiful cultural site to behold and it’s very nice to be able to do so with such little effort as well.
Dinosaur Tracks
Less than a mile after the petroglyphs pullout, you’ll see a sign for Poison Spider Trail + Dinosaur Tracks to the right. Anyone who is a fan of paleontology and dinosaurs specifically does not want to miss this stop. It’s a short climb (about .25 miles round trip) up a slick rock bluff and it will lead you to a sign that lets you know you’re at the dinosaur tracks. Look up from there and you’ll find two 3-toed footprints in the rock before you. These are the prints of Eubrontes. The NPS says was the inspiration for the cute little spitting dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. If you continue up and around this bluff you’ll see other prints and petroglyphs. However, the prints pictured above are the easiest to spot.
Corona Arch Trailhead
Looking for a hike that will make you swoon? Drive down Potash Road for 10 miles and you’ll find a parking area on your right. This is the Corona Arch Trailhead. This is actually one of my favorite of all of the arches we saw there. It’s massive. Plus, it’s a bit of an adventure to get there involving pulling yourself up a cliff via a cable. Who doesn’t love a little bit of adventure?! Plus, along the route you’ll also see Pinto Arch and Bowtie Arch. To read a more about this 3 mile, moderate hike, check out my guide HERE.
Jug Handle Arch Trailhead
Just a few miles down from the Corona Arch parking area, you’ll find the Jug Handle Arch Trailhead. This is on our list to do for next time. From what I’ve read, it’s about 2.5 miles round trip. Plus, you can find petroglyphs near the base of this arch.
Entrance to Canyonlands / Beginning of Shafer Trail
If you continue on 20 miles down Potash Road the road turns into a 4WD road. That road will lead you into the boundary of Canyonlands National Park. If you continue beyond its border, it will take you up Shafer Trail all the way up to the Island in the Sky. This road is bumpy and best done in a high clearance vehicle. If you’re in a vehicle like that, it’s absolutely worth it!
You’d never think when you see a road sign for Potash Road that there would be so much adventure at your fingertips. It’s so worth taking at least half a day and up to a whole day exploring the wonders this road along the Colorado River holds.
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