# Colorado River Byway to Moab, Dead Horse Point and Island in the Sky

> 3-day road trip of about 271 km (168 mi) with 7 stops, from Grand Junction to Green River. About 3 h 00 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b18-colorado-river-moab/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 271 km (168 mi) with 7 stops, from Grand Junction to Green River. About 3 h 00 min of driving in total. Follow the Colorado River into Moab on Utah 128, hike to Corona Arch, then look down on the river from Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 271 km (168 mi) |
| Driving | 3 h 00 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Grand Junction → Green River |
| States | CO, UT |
| Updated | May 22, 2026 |

## Route description

From Grand Junction, head west on I-70 into Utah and leave at exit 214 for Cisco, a near ghost town. Here Utah 128 bends south to meet the Colorado River and follows it for 70 km to Moab. It is a slower but far better entry than US-191, lined with red cliffs, river campgrounds run by the BLM and pullouts. Stop for the Fisher Towers trail, then look up at Castle Rock above Castle Valley.

Moab is the base for Arches, which needs a timed-entry reservation for much of the year, and for the rest of this route. Stock up on water, fuel and food here; there are no services at Dead Horse Point or Island in the Sky. Early one morning, drive Utah 279 (Potash Road) along the river past petroglyph panels and dinosaur tracks to the Corona Arch trailhead, a 5 km return walk best done before the heat.

Take US-191 north and turn onto Utah 313, which climbs to the mesa top in a series of paved switchbacks, fine for motorhomes. Dead Horse Point State Park branches off first; walk the rim trail and consider a night in one of its two campgrounds for the stars. Canyonlands charges a separate fee at the Island in the Sky entrance, and the park road ends at Grand View Point after about 20 km.

Along the way, stop at Mesa Arch at sunrise, Green River Overlook and the short Upheaval Dome trail. Willow Flat Campground inside the park is small and has no water. To finish, return to US-191 and drive north to I-70, then west to Green River, about 110 km from Grand View Point. The town is known for its summer melons and has the John Wesley Powell River History Museum.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Grand Junction** (CO)
2. **Fisher Towers** (Moab, UT): Dark red mud-and-sandstone spires up to 275 m tall, rising above the Colorado River off Utah 128. A trail winds 3.5 km among the towers; the last 3 km of access road is graded dirt, fine for cars.
3. **Moab** (UT)
4. **Corona Arch Trail** (Moab, UT): A 5 km return hike from Potash Road (Utah 279) to a free-standing arch with a span of about 43 m, passing Bowtie Arch. One short section uses cables and a ladder. Go early; there is no shade.
5. **Dead Horse Point State Park** (Moab, UT): A narrow mesa-top overlook 600 m above a gooseneck of the Colorado River, with a paved rim trail and visitor center. It is a separate state park from Canyonlands, with its own entry fee and two campgrounds.
6. **Grand View Point Overlook** (Moab, UT): The southern tip of Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky, looking over the White Rim and the canyons of the Green and Colorado rivers. An easy 3 km return rim trail continues past the parking lot.
7. **Green River** (UT)

## FAQs

**How long is Colorado River Byway to Moab, Dead Horse Point and Island in the Sky?**
3-day road trip of about 271 km (168 mi) with 7 stops, from Grand Junction to Green River. About 3 h 00 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Colorado River Byway to Moab, Dead Horse Point and Island in the Sky?**
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 00 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Colorado River Byway to Moab, Dead Horse Point and Island in the Sky start and end?**
It starts in Grand Junction and ends in Green River.

**Which states does Colorado River Byway to Moab, Dead Horse Point and Island in the Sky pass through?**
Colorado and Utah.