Into the Heart of the Swell

Interstate 70, one of America's major east-west arteries, is the road to adventure where it crosses Utah's San Rafael Swell. "The Swell" is a unique landform offering outstanding scenery and recreational opportunity. Spring is a great time to visit this area.

The Swell is shaped somewhat like an egg that has been sliced in half the long way. It's a dome, about 75 miles long and 50 miles wide, which has eroded into a labyrinth of craggy canyons—an incredible playground for people who want to tour by automobile, hike, bike and camp.

The area is so rugged, it was all but impossible to cross, by foot or vehicle, until Interstate 70 was blasted through its heart. Now, in air-conditioned comfort, casual travelers can glimpse the wonders of this area, can stop at the many scenic pullouts (located, it seems, every two feet along the freeway), and adventurers can readily explore Black Dragon Canyon, Sinbad Country, Horse Heaven and other classic Swell features.

Scenery in The Swell rivals that of Zion, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands, and the area has been repeatedly nominated for national park status. It would probably be a national park today had the residents of affected counties not voted against the idea. Many parts of The Swell are now managed as federally protected wilderness.

This is a big, rugged, remote area. There are no services available on I-70 for 108 miles, from Green River to Salina—no McDonald's, no drinking water and no gas stations—the longest such stretch to be found along the US interstate system.

Roads probe The Swell from all directions. Most are rough, providing challenge to four-wheel drive enthusiasts; a few are maintained and suitable for touring in a family car. All these roads lead somewhere—usually to a dead end at a spectacular canyon, a sheer drop-off or old mine.

If you want to experience The Swell, we recommend you drive I-70 through its heart and then explore the area around Goblin Valley, which is a Utah state park. Goblin Valley is an unearthly playground that kids love, a valley filled with strangely shaped rocks that resemble, well, goblins. There is an exceptionally nice campground at the state park. It fills up quickly so advanced reservations are needed.

Temple Mountain is a popular spot in the Goblin Valley area. Here you can camp in a primitive setting and ride mountain bikes, motorcycles and ATVs over desert trails. The scenic San Rafael Reef runs along the side of Temple Mountain, offering hiking opportunities.

Nearby, Little Wildhorse Canyon provides a great moderately difficult slot canyon hike suitable for kids.

If you want to go north, we recommend you drive the Buckhorn Draw backroad, from I-70 up to the town of Castledale. The road is maintained and four-wheel-drive is not needed (assuming dry weather). Along this route you can see ancient Indian rock art, a dinosaur track and the very scenic Wedge Overlook, above the Little Grand Canyon of the San Rafael River.

Upcoming Special Events

Snowbird expects to offer skiing through May 29. The resort will be open daily through May 14 and then will cut back to a weekends-only schedule. Our mountain snowpack is huge and our other resorts will also offer skiing well into the spring.

Whitewater rafting conditions will be excellent in early June, as all that snow comes gushing down the Green and Colorado rivers.

Moab Marathon will be April 1.

Moab Jeep Safari will be April 8—16.

St George Arts Festival will be April 14-15.

An Off Road Expo will be held April 21-23 in Salt Lake City.

Earth Day events will be held April 22 at the Ogden Nature Center, and at state and national parks around Utah.

Promontory Point will celebrate the 136th anniversary of the driving of the golden spike, completing the first transcontinental railroad, on May 10.

See our comprehensive events listing for upcoming activities.

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