Getting Oriented
Poison Spider Mesa is a 16-mile 4x4 and mountain bike loop on BLM land just north of the Colorado River near Moab, Utah. The trail climbs from the river bottom on Potash Road (SR-279) up onto the mesa, returns via a different route, and provides access to several side spurs: Longbow Arch (1.1 miles one way), Poison Spider Bench (1.3 miles one way), and the Golden Spike Route. The Red-Rock Four-Wheelers rate the route an 8 on their 10-point scale, putting it well into technical territory.
Trail Overview
The trail begins at a small parking area on Potash Road and climbs onto the mesa via a long technical pitch. Surface conditions include uneven rocky ledges, slickrock pitches, and sandy sections. Modified 4WDs with lockers, oversized tires, and skid plates are appropriate; stock vehicles will struggle.
Notable features along the route:
- Dinosaur tracksite. Theropod footprints (Eubrontes and Grallator) preserved in fallen limestone blocks from the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone, roughly 190 million years old.
- Petroglyph panels. Carved by ancestral Indigenous peoples; figures depicting humans and animals.
- Longbow Arch. A 1.1-mile hiking spur to a free-standing sandstone arch.
- Poison Spider Bench. A 1.3-mile hiking spur to a viewpoint of the river canyon.
- Mesa-top overlooks. Views down to the Colorado River and across the Moab Valley to the La Sal Mountains.
A typical 4x4 run takes four to six hours including stops at the dinosaur tracks, petroglyphs, and overlooks.
Where to Camp
Overnight camping is prohibited at the trailhead. The Sand Flats Recreation Area campgrounds, the BLM-managed Colorado Riverway campgrounds along Potash Road and US-128 (Goose Island, Hal Canyon, Big Bend, Upper and Lower Drinks Canyon), and private campgrounds in town provide nearby options.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Carry water and food. No services on the trail. Summer heat is severe and cell coverage is limited.
- Air down your tires. Slickrock and rock require lower pressures (15 to 20 PSI typical).
- Travel with another vehicle. The technical sections benefit from a spotter; recovery options are limited solo.
- Stop at the dinosaur tracksite. A short detour from the main route, and one of the more accessible Jurassic theropod tracksites in Utah.
- Don't touch the petroglyphs. Skin oils accelerate weathering of the rock varnish.
