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Below are the Free Visitor Guides for San Rafael Swell Area.
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General Interest Guides

Carbon Corridor Carbon Corridor Carbon Corridor
Carbon Corridor Central Utah
Carbon Corridor
Central UtahCradled by the Book Cliffs, this land boasts rich history reflected in ancient rock art, scenic and adventurous outdoor opportunities, and museums that educate about the region’s history.
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Emery County, Utah Emery County, Utah Emery County, Utah
Emery County, Utah South Central Utah
Emery County, Utah
South Central UtahWelcome to the Swell, a natural playground in the heart of Utah. Within the region, you will find endless opportunities to ride, climb, camp, hike or paddle.
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Capitol Reef Country Capitol Reef Country Capitol Reef Country
Capitol Reef Country Central Utah
Capitol Reef Country
Central UtahThis area of southern Utah has a diversity of landscape like no other area in the state - red rock formations and canyons, pristine meadows, alpine forests, as well as lush green valleys. That landscape makes Capitol Reef Country perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, ATV tours, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, or just a quiet picnic!
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Utah - Life Elevated Utah - Life Elevated Utah - Life Elevated
Utah - Life Elevated Statewide
Utah - Life Elevated
StatewideWith five national parks and more than 40 state parks, Utah offers a wealth of outdoor activities for families & adventurers alike. Order your free Travel Guide today.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Ski Utah Ski Utah Ski Utah
Ski Utah Utah
Ski Utah
Utah
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San Rafael Swell - Orientation

Getting Around, Basic Info,...

The San Rafael Swell offers some terrifically stark desert terrain in the heart of Utah. Visitors can expect to enjoy some solitude here amidst harsh conditions. Exploration should include a few scenic drives and maybe a bit of hiking to really get into the wilderness. An overview of your options are described below.

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Scenic Drives

A network of dirt roads run throughout the Swell. Two of the more popular drives are described below.

  • Wedge Overlook / Buckhorn Draw Road is the most dramatic route through the Swell. At the Wedge Overlook are wonderful views of the impressive canyons of the "Little Grand Canyon" carved by the San Rafael River. There are numerous viewpoints along the rim. Buckhorn Draw Road drops from the Wedge Overlook through a narrow sandstone canyon lined with cottonwoods to a crossing of the San Rafael River.
  • Temple Mountain / Goblin Valley Road runs through and adjacent to the San Rafael Reef with good views of Temple Mountain, the highpoint of the reef. Goblin Valley State Park features a small valley of interesting curving, "goblin-like" rock formations.

Hiking the San Rafael

The expansive San Rafael has many great areas to explore either on daytrips or overnighters. Described below are some of the better areas to consider.

  • Head of Sinbad -- Erosion has created many interesting shapes in the buff-colored sandstone in this area.
  • Hidden Splendor / Keesle Country -- Deep within a canyon in the southern end of the Swell is Hidden Splendor, once one of the biggest uranium mines in Utah. The surrounding area has interesting places to explore. Muddy Creek can be followed through the San Rafael Reef when the water is low. Nearby is Keesle Country, a maze of canyons.
  • Hondoo Arch / Tomsich Butte -- Hondoo Arch is a large arch above the Muddy River. The area has lots of places for hiking and camping.
  • Little Wild Horse Canyon cuts through the San Rafael Reef for 2 miles Near Goblin Valley State Park. This interesting narrow canyon makes for a good short day hike.

Select San Rafael Publications for a complete list of books and maps covering hiking in the San Rafael Swell.

Rock Art

Narrow Black Dragon Canyon has some very interesting pictographs of a dragon, geometric shapes, human figures and more. They are located about 14 miles west of Green River on a dirt road off I-70. Take a dirt road north off I-70 just past marker 145 (it's not a marked exit) for 1 mile and turn left 1/2 mile up a stream bed to the canyon mouth. The pictographs are 1/4 mile up the canyon.

There is also some nice rock art along Buckhorn Draw Road described above.

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1

Select one or more Free Visitor Guides below

2

Complete the form to receive your guides by mail

Below are the Free Visitor Guides for San Rafael Swell. More Visitor Guides are available in Utah. Click here to view them all!

Carbon Corridor Carbon Corridor Carbon Corridor
Carbon Corridor Central Utah
Carbon Corridor
Central UtahCradled by the Book Cliffs, this land boasts rich history reflected in ancient rock art, scenic and adventurous outdoor opportunities, and museums that educate about the region’s history.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Emery County, Utah Emery County, Utah Emery County, Utah
Emery County, Utah South Central Utah
Emery County, Utah
South Central UtahWelcome to the Swell, a natural playground in the heart of Utah. Within the region, you will find endless opportunities to ride, climb, camp, hike or paddle.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Capitol Reef Country Capitol Reef Country Capitol Reef Country
Capitol Reef Country Central Utah
Capitol Reef Country
Central UtahThis area of southern Utah has a diversity of landscape like no other area in the state - red rock formations and canyons, pristine meadows, alpine forests, as well as lush green valleys. That landscape makes Capitol Reef Country perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, ATV tours, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, or just a quiet picnic!
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Utah - Life Elevated Utah - Life Elevated Utah - Life Elevated
Utah - Life Elevated Statewide
Utah - Life Elevated
StatewideWith five national parks and more than 40 state parks, Utah offers a wealth of outdoor activities for families & adventurers alike. Order your free Travel Guide today.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Ski Utah Ski Utah Ski Utah
Ski Utah Utah
Ski Utah
Utah
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
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