Hey folks,
You're probably well aware that the vast majority of our routes live out west (West Coast, Pacific North West, Southwest, Mountain West), but we've slowly been adding more and more tracks east of the Rockies. We'd love to hear from our members where we should focus our efforts to develop, or simply add new routes that are already in the public domain (eg Ozark Overland Adventure Trail). We're open to suggestions such as states, parks, national forests, etc. The more info you can provide the better! For example, maybe there's a particular area in Montana that you think would be good for exploring. Tell us why in your reply.
Want to Submit a new Route?
If you've done a multi-day track that you think would be a great addition to our directory of overland routes, please let us know as well. Post as much info as you can, and we'll get in touch with you to discuss next steps. As simple guidelines, we're typically interested in tracks that are majority dirt, and are multi-day trips (typically at least 100 miles or longer).
Hey folks,
You're probably well aware that the vast majority of our routes live out west (West Coast, Pacific North West, Southwest, Mountain West), but we've slowly been adding more and more tracks east of the Rockies. We'd love to hear from our members where we should focus our efforts to develop, or simply add new routes that are already in the public domain (eg Ozark Overland Adventure Trail). We're open to suggestions such as states, parks, national forests, etc. The more info you can provide the better! For example, maybe there's a particular area in Montana that you think would be good for exploring. Tell us why in your reply.
Want to Submit a new Route?
If you've done a multi-day track that you think would be a great addition to our directory of overland routes, please let us know as well. Post as much info as you can, and we'll get in touch with you to discuss next steps. As simple guidelines, we're typically interested in tracks that are majority dirt, and are multi-day trips (typically at least 100 miles or longer).
Hey folks,
You're probably well aware that the vast majority of our routes live out west (West Coast, Pacific North West, Southwest, Mountain West), but we've slowly been adding more and more tracks east of the Rockies. We'd love to hear from our members where we should focus our efforts to develop, or simply add new routes that are already in the public domain (eg Ozark Overland Adventure Trail). We're open to suggestions such as states, parks, national forests, etc. The more info you can provide the better! For example, maybe there's a particular area in Montana that you think would be good for exploring. Tell us why in your reply.
Want to Submit a new Route?
If you've done a multi-day track that you think would be a great addition to our directory of overland routes, please let us know as well. Post as much info as you can, and we'll get in touch with you to discuss next steps. As simple guidelines, we're typically interested in tracks that are majority dirt, and are multi-day trips (typically at least 100 miles or longer
I asked Chatgpt to develop an overlanding trail from Monument Valley to Canyonlands National Park, covering the Needles, Maze, and Island in the Sky districts, including challenging routes like Elephant Hill and White Rim Trail, and scenic areas like Valley of the Gods. Below is what Chatgpt comes up with.
Overlanding Trail Overview
Starting Point: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona
Ending Point: Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Distance: ~250-300 miles
Duration: 5-7 days, depending on how much exploration and hiking you do
Vehicle Requirements: High-clearance 4WD vehicles are required for much of this route, especially in the Needles, Maze, and White Rim areas.
Best Time to Visit: Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) to avoid extreme heat and potential snow or ice in the winter months.
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Day 1: Monument Valley to Valley of the Gods (~50 miles)
Start in Monument Valley: Begin your overlanding journey with a scenic drive through Monument Valley. Though much of Monument Valley’s backcountry requires a Navajo guide, the 17-mile scenic loop offers stunning views of famous sandstone formations.
US-163 North to Valley of the Gods: Travel along US-163 towards Mexican Hat. After ~20 miles, turn onto Valley of the Gods Road, a 17-mile gravel route through impressive buttes and mesas, offering a quieter alternative to Monument Valley.
Camping: Valley of the Gods offers dispersed camping with spectacular views of the rock formations. This is an excellent place to set up camp for your first night under the stars.
Day 2: Valley of the Gods to Needles District, Canyonlands (~70-80 miles)
Moki Dugway: Continue on the route by heading towards Moki Dugway, a steep, winding gravel road that climbs the cliffs of Cedar Mesa, offering breathtaking views of the desert below.
Comb Ridge/Bears Ears Exploration: Take time to explore Comb Ridge or Butler Wash, rich in Ancestral Puebloan ruins and petroglyphs. These areas are filled with historical significance and offer opportunities for short hikes.
Needles District Entry via SR-211: After exploring the Bears Ears area, drive towards the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park via SR-211. Along the way, you can visit Newspaper Rock, an impressive petroglyph site.
Elephant Hill Trail: Enter the Needles District and challenge yourself with the infamous Elephant Hill Trail, one of the most challenging 4x4 trails in the region. It features tight switchbacks, slickrock climbs, and narrow passages.
Camp: Consider camping at Devil’s Kitchen or Chesler Park, both offering rugged backcountry campsites with stunning desert scenery.
Day 3: Exploring the Needles District (~40 miles off-road)
Chesler Park & Joint Trail: Spend the day exploring Chesler Park. You can take the Joint Trail, a popular hike through narrow rock passages, offering stunning views of the Needles formations.
Colorado River Overlook Trail: Drive the 4WD trail to the Colorado River Overlook, a rugged route offering incredible views over the Colorado River’s canyons.
Camp: Stay another night in the Needles, either in a backcountry campsite or at Squaw Flat.
Day 4: Needles District to Maze District via Lockhart Basin (~90 miles)
Indian Creek Corridor: Exit the Needles District through the Indian Creek Corridor, known for its towering red cliffs and world-class rock climbing spots. This scenic area is a great place to take a break or hike.
Lockhart Basin Trail: For a challenging off-road route, take Lockhart Basin Trail, a rugged 4x4 trail that follows the edge of Canyonlands. This remote route offers dramatic views of the Colorado River and the Maze District’s canyons, but it requires a high-clearance vehicle and good driving skills.
Maze District Entry: Enter the Maze District, one of the most remote and challenging parts of Canyonlands. Known for its labyrinth of canyons, it’s a true backcountry experience. Make sure you’re prepared with adequate supplies.
Camp: The Maze has primitive campsites, such as The Doll House or Golden Stairs, offering incredible views of the wild landscape.
Day 5: Exploring the Maze District (~40 miles off-road)
Maze Overlook: Drive or hike to the Maze Overlook, offering one of the most spectacular views in the park. The trail to the overlook is a serious 4WD route, featuring steep drops and tight turns, but the payoff is worth it.
Harvest Scene: Visit the Harvest Scene, one of the park’s most famous pictograph panels, hidden deep within the Maze’s complex canyons.
Camp: Another night of camping in the Maze District, enjoying the solitude and dramatic scenery.
Day 6: Maze District to Island in the Sky via White Rim Trail (~120 miles)
Exit the Maze: After leaving the Maze, connect with the White Rim Trail, one of the most famous overland routes in the U.S. The White Rim is a 100-mile loop that circles around the Island in the Sky mesa, offering unparalleled views of the canyons below.
White Rim Trail: The White Rim Trail is a high-clearance 4WD route that hugs the rim of the canyons, offering constant views of the Colorado and Green Rivers. It takes 2-3 days to complete, but for this itinerary, you’ll follow it to connect to the Island in the Sky district.
Hiking Detours: Along the White Rim, you can stop to hike short trails like Musselman Arch or Murphy Point for incredible vistas.
Camp: Backcountry campsites along the White Rim Trail provide quiet spots to spend the night. Options like Gooseberry or Murphy Hogback offer scenic views over the canyons.
Day 7: Island in the Sky Exploration and Finish (~50 miles)
Island in the Sky: Finish your journey by entering the Island in the Sky district. Drive to Grand View Point or Mesa Arch for breathtaking views of the Canyonlands below.
Shafer Trail: If you want a final 4WD adventure, exit the park via the Shafer Trail, a famous switchback road that descends from Island in the Sky down to the Colorado River. It’s a thrilling way to finish the journey.
Finish in Moab: Your overlanding journey can end in the off-road mecca of Moab, where you can resupply, relax, or take on additional trails like Hell’s Revenge or Fins and Things.
