Into the Heart of The Swell

Utah's San Rafael Swell is a spectacular region of spires, buttes, canyons and mesas that has only recently been discovered by the outside world. It provides opportunity for a wide variety of recreational activities including auto touring, hiking, mountain biking and off-road travel - in a scenic area that still offers solitude.

This short video clip (Flash video, 7.3M) shows an intense adventure hike in The Swell. Hiking possibilities here range from easy to strenuous, technical canyoneering.

Late fall/early winter is a perfect time to explore this area, where the scenery rivals that of our most beautiful national parks.

Parts of "The Swell" have been mined and ranched since the days of early pioneers, but for decades outdoor enthusiasts largely ignored the area. Why was it ignored? Well, one reason is because the land is so rugged. Until Interstate 70 was blasted through its heart, The Swell was a formidable barrier to east-west travel. No roads or even jeep trails were able to penetrate far into this labyrinth. It was neigh impossible to cross, even on foot.

The Swell blends together many features similar to the best of Zion, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands: deep, narrow canyons, sheer cliffs and imposing mesas. It stretches for about 85 miles, from near Price on the north to Hanksville on the south, bumping up against the top of Capitol Reef National Park.

Now, from I-70's smooth pavement, people are poking their heads out car windows and saying, "Wow, look at those beautiful canyons."

If you are looking for a great road trip, drive I-70 between Salina and Green River. Views from the road are astounding and scenic turnouts have been placed every few miles along the route. For an enjoyable variation that stays on paved roads, drive I-70 across The Swell and then return via Hwy 24, which drops down and cuts through Capitol Reef.

If you want to explore dirt roads, drive the Buckhorn Draw route that runs from Castle Dale (on US-10) down to I-70. Be sure to stop and view the ancient rock art located adjacent to the roadway in the heart of Buckhorn Draw.

Another option is to explore the roads around Temple Mountain, located near Goblin Valley State Park. The main loop there is maintained and does not require four-wheel drive. Spurs can be very rugged. You'll be tempted to get out and hike and climb on the rocks in this area. That can be very enjoyable on mild winter days.

It seldom snows in The Swell and these roads can usually be driven during the dead of winter. But watch the weather because dirt roads here can become impassible when wet.

The Swell has been seriously considered for national park status, or some other federal designation, but politics has always interfered. A few years ago President Bush was set to make the area a national monument but local residents opposed the designation and he decided to respect their wishes. The Bureau of Land Management manages the area and is charged with preserving its scenic and wilderness values while allowing multiple use in some areas.

You can easily include The Swell in a multi-park road trip, also visiting Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef national parks. All of these areas are located at lower elevations where snowfall is infrequent and driving conditions are usually good throughout the winter.

The lower reaches of Zion National Park are also usually snow-free throughout the winter.

Zion's high mountain terrain picks up considerable snowfall and backcountry roads there are closed during winter. The same is true at Bruce Canyon, which will soon become a spectacular winter playground. It is great fun to explore these areas on snowshoes or cross-country skis. Snowmobiles are not allowed in the parks but can operate on scenic trails just outside park boundaries.

Let us help you book your national park trip.

- Dave Webb

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