CANYONLANDS SHAFER TRAIL: Switchbacks, Sandstone, and Solidifying the Crew
Trip Overview: Where Dirt Roads and Friendships Meet
There’s a moment on every trip when you know it’s not just another ride—it’s something bigger. For us, that moment was Shafer Trail.
It was only three days out of our first week-long Canyonlands adventure, but it packed a lifetime of memories into every mile. Tight switchbacks, endless sandstone valleys, and stargazing on slickrock—Shafer Trail didn’t just give us epic views, it gave us the start of the Yolo Wheelin’ crew.
Not bad for a trail that tried to scare us right off the edge (literally) from the get-go.
Terrain and Trail Conditions: Switchbacks, Slickrock, and Big Skies
Shafer doesn’t ease you in. Within minutes of starting, you’re diving down cliff-hugging switchbacks carved into solid sandstone—with no guardrails and a whole lot of gravity doing its thing.
The terrain stays rugged but manageable: graded dirt roads, rocky shelf sections, a few tight squeezes, and one giant reminder that high-clearance 4x4s are your best friends. Overall, it’s a good mix of heart-pounding drops and wide-open cruising. Bonus points for the epic views the whole way down.
Route Recap: Switchbacks First, Stargazing Later
We kicked off near the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, where paved road gives way to pure adventure almost immediately.
Day 1 was all about the Shafer switchbacks, carving down into the canyon floor. We set up camp not far from the bottom on a slab of slickrock perfect for stargazing.
Day 2 was a choose-your-own-adventure day: side trails, overlooks, spontaneous hikes, and basically driving wherever the landscape looked coolest (which was, uh, everywhere).
Day 3 had us climbing out via the Mineral Bottom switchbacks, hugging the cliffs one last time before hitting Mineral Canyon Road and cruising back toward Highway 313.
Dusty, grinning, and already planning the next trip.
Camp & Scenic Highlights: Slickrock Sunsets and Star-Punched Skies
Imagine this: a gas stove sizzling dinner on slickrock, canyon walls glowing red around you, and a sky so full of stars it almost doesn’t seem real.
Camping along Shafer was unreal:
First night: camped below the towering sandstone cliffs, warmed by the last rays of sunlight.
Second night: tucked against a sandstone overhang, sheltered from the breeze and perfectly placed for a Milky Way show.
Scenery checklist:
Endless mesas and buttes
Natural arches hiding around every bend
Canyons deeper than your last gas tank
It wasn’t just about where we drove. It was about where we got to just be.
Wildlife Watch: Mostly Birds, Definitely Vibes
Shafer isn’t exactly Yellowstone for wildlife, but it definitely kept things interesting. We spotted hawks and ravens riding the canyon thermals overhead, tiny lizards doing laps around camp chairs, and caught the distant yips of coyotes after dark.
And speaking of dark—while settling into camp the first night, we spotted a pair of glowing eyes staring back at us from the blackness. Silent. Unblinking. And just curious enough to make us wonder: Mule deer? Mountain Lion? Utah Bigfoot? (Yeah, we checked. Turns out Bigfoot sightings are a thing around here.)
Whatever it was, it vanished before we could find out, leaving behind only stars, mystery, and a good story to swap on the trail the next morning.
Trail Tips: High Clearance Required, Sense of Wonder Mandatory
Thinking about tackling Shafer? Here’s the quick and dirty:
High-clearance 4x4 mandatory—this isn’t Prius country
Aired-down tires help a lot on the rocky bits
Bring your camera—then double your memory card size
Stay on trail—this landscape is ancient, fragile, and not the place for shortcuts
Gas up before you go—no service, no fuel, no problems (if you plan right)
And whatever you do, don’t underestimate the daylight. We rolled a little too long into the evening (okay, a lot too long), and ended up navigating narrow cliffside roads in full darkness—with Dan hanging out the window holding a flashlight like some kind of desperate human foglight. Zero idea how close we were to the edge. Maximum trust.
Lesson learned: bring real trail lights next time. Every trip teaches you something, and this was definitely one we won’t forget.
Final Thoughts: 5 Out of 5 Lug Nuts
Shafer Trail gave us everything we wanted:
Nerve-wracking switchbacks.
Panoramic canyon views.
Silent, star-soaked nights.
And the beginning of what would become the Yolo Wheelin’ crew.
This wasn’t just another trail—it was the trail that made us realize why we do this. Big dirt energy, bigger smiles, and a reminder that some of the best miles are the ones you earn.
Final Verdict: 5 out of 5 lug nuts. Already plotting a return trip.
