La Sal Loop Road

Region: Moab & Southeast Utah | Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service (Manti-La Sal National Forest) | Cost: Free

Forested mountain terrain representative of the La Sal Mountains Forest terrain representative of the La Sal Mountains. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

If Moab's desert heat has you wilting, the La Sal Loop is the fix. This 60-mile scenic drive climbs into the La Sal Mountains, running easily 10-15°F cooler than town, with aspen and pine forest replacing slickrock. Many locals consider it their favorite free camping option in the area, not for the views of red rock alone, but for the quiet, elevation, and shade.

Quick Facts


Distance from Moab	Roughly 15-20 minutes via UT-128 to the loop road
Road & Clearance	Graded dirt/gravel road; a steep incline and sharp turn at the start catch some drivers off guard, but most vehicles handle it fine
Rig Suitability	Tents, vans, and RVs, the first several miles cross private property and are clearly marked, so continue to Forest Service land
Amenities	None at dispersed sites, this is primitive camping
Cell Signal	Spotty; don't count on it at higher elevations
Best Season	Late spring through early fall (snow closes the high sections in winter)
Stay Limit	14 days, standard Forest Service rule

Map

Getting There

From Moab, take UT-128 (the river road) and connect to the La Sal Loop Road. The first stretch of the loop crosses private land, it's well signed, so keep going until you reach national forest boundary signs. Dispersed sites appear along both sides of the road from there.

What to Expect

Forested camping among aspen and ponderosa pine, with pull-offs ranging from small, tucked-away tent spots to larger clearings that fit a group. Because of the elevation gain, expect genuinely cooler nights even in mid-summer, pack an extra layer. The trade-off for the cooler temps and shade is a rougher, sometimes steep access road, so take it slow, especially towing a trailer.

Good to Know

This is Manti-La Sal National Forest, not BLM land, so check in with the Moab Ranger District (435-259-7155) for current road and fire conditions before you head up, particularly after rain or in early/late season when snow can linger at higher elevations.

Cooler mountain nights still mean you need reliable power for lights, a fridge, and charging your gear. Learn how an off-grid electrical system keeps your rig self-sufficient →