San Rafael Swell Recreation Area

Plan Your Visit to San Rafael Swell Rec. Area

Elevation 4000 - 7000 feet. A magnificent badlands of brightly colored and wildly eroded sandstone formations, deep canyons, and giant plates of stone tilted upright throgh massive geologic upheaval. There is a picnic area and scenic overlook at Cedar Mountain, or the adventurous can explore the swell however suits you best: on foot, horseback, bike, in an OHV or four wheel drive. Petroglyphs and abandoned uranium mines are scattered throughout the area. Under the emergency order, all public lands, including vehicle ways, are closed to OHVs in the Muddy Creek, Devil's Canyon, Crack Canyon, San Rafael Reef, Horseshoe Canyon and Mexican Mountain WSAs. All public lands in the Sid's Mountain WSA are closed to OHVs with the exception of four identified ways: 1) the wash bottom of Coal Wash, including the short dugway from the west which enters this wash, and North Fork Coal Wash south until it exits the WSA over "Fix-It-Pass", 2) the wash bottom of South Fork Coal Wash from its junction with the North Fork to and including the "Eva Conover" way, 3) the "Devil's Racetrack" way and 4) the Justensen Flat access way, including lower Eagle Canyon southeast from the junction of this way.