Onion Creek
Grand County, Utah
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Nearby Towns: Moab
Nearby Trails: Rose Garden Hill, Top Of The World
Elevation: 4,195 to 5,663 feet

This trail promises to get you muddy, but it's worth it for the spectacular views. It starts from Highway 128 and snakes around next to the Richardson Ampitheater, and the scenery is very nice.

Most of the trail is a wide dirt road, though some sections may be washed out and difficult. You cross the creek many times, making it difficult to not get muddy.

Richardson Ampitheater is a large open area between the mesas. It is green and lush, which is a nice contrast next to the red mesas and hills of many different colors.

Watch for the Totem Pole on your right, a 300-foot tall spire of rock. You will also pass by Stinking Spring, a natural spring that does not smell very good at all.

At 8.9 miles there is a left turn marked with a sign to the Kokopelli Trail. This trail is largely for bicycles and is just under 150 miles long. It overlaps with a few vehicle trails and roads along its route, including here. This is also the turn for the Rose Garden Hill trail.

If you continue on the road will get more narrow and rough, and there are many spurs to explore. You can work your way out to the other end if you find the right spurs, so take a topographical map with you.

This is a great trail for nearly any vehicle and a fantastic way to take in the Moab scenery near Arches National Park.

Information last updated on May 11th, 2008.

Member Reports

• October 5, 2005: ran by Bob S., Cheryl, Eric B. and Monica

Driving Directions

From Moab, drive north to the turn off for Highway 128 that is just south of the Colorado River bridge on the north end of town. This is the same road that comes from the Cisco exit off of I-70. Take this highway for 20.2 miles until you see the sign for Onion Creek in the wide open area of the Richardson Ampitheater.

Meeting Places

Meet at the McDonald's at Kane Creek Road and Main Street in Moab.