La Sal Mountains

The basics

The La Sal Mountains rise from the Colorado Plateau and pack plenty of adventure into a 15-mile (24-kilometer) string of eroded summits. It’s a day-tripping distance from Moab, with the 60-mile (97-kilometer) La Sal Mountain Loop State Scenic Backway offering major vistas on the way to Castle Valley. Manti-La Sal National Forest oversees the mountain range, which is also renowned for trout fishing and waterside camping at Warner Lake.

Things to know before you go

• Detailed information about trails is available from the Moab Ranger District office of the US Forest Service.

• Vault toilets are located at Mill Creek Canyon and Castle Valley Overlook.

• The La Sal Mountain Loop State Scenic Backway is not suited to large RVs or trailers. No gas or services are available along the route.

• Cell service is limited in some hiking areas, so plan to bring a map or GPS for route finding.

• Bull Canyon is great for dinosaur buffs: Well-preserved dinosaur tracks can be found a short walk from the Bull Canyon Dinosaur Tracks trailhead.

How to get there

The La Sal Mountains are located 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Moab. Most travelers come by car via the 60-mile (97-kilometer) La Sal Mountain Loop State Scenic Backway that begins at US Route 191. For the best possible views, drive the route counter-clockwise, climbing past Mill Creek Canyon and across the mountain range’s northwestern flank.

When to get there

The scenic backway is generally kept snow-free, so the La Sal Mountains are accessible all year. Snow lingers at higher elevations into June, then gives way to the bright wildflowers of late spring and early summer. Summer is a popular time for hiking and adventuring here: The La Sal Mountains offer a cool respite when temperatures soar in the desert below.

Best trails in the La Sal Mountains

Trails through the mountain range are generally open to hikers, cyclists, and equestrians, with options varying from short outings to all-day excursions. A moderate option is the 1-mile (0.6-kilometer) Medicine Lake Trail through old-growth conifer forest, while the 8.9-mile (14.3-kilometer) South Mountain Trail is more strenuous. The 2.6-mile (4.2-kilometer) Fisher Mesa Trail follows the edge of the Fisher Mesa—hikers reach the Bull Canyon Dinosaur Tracks after just 0.5 miles (0.3 kilometers).