The San Rafael Swell: A great alternative to the crowds in Moab

Moab, UT is definitely the most well-known place for camping, hiking, biking, rock climbing, etc. Plus it has Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. People from all over flood in to kick off the camping season. Trouble is, there’s only so much space; campsites and RV parks have been booked for months, and you can spend hours searching for an available primitive campsite. So how do you beat the crowds?

You visit the San Rafael Swell instead! It’s a region in Utah located about an hour west of Moab. It has much of the same beautiful scenery and recreation options but with way fewer crowds. The closest towns of Green River and Hanksville don’t provide the same level of shopping and accommodations that Moab does. But for those of us who are trying to get away from civilization (my hand is raised), that’s a positive not a negative.

There’s so much to see and do around the San Rafael Swell, that you’ll surely find something that suits you. We have visited this area twice, and still barely scratched the surface. There’s Goblin Valley State Park, miles of 4×4 roads and hiking trails, slot canyons, scenic vistas, historical sites, and more! And for those trying to tour National Parks, Capitol Reef NP isn’t too far away.

There are numerous stunning hiking trails, the most popular of which is called Little Wild Horse Canyon (pictured above). It’s a spectacularly diverse slot canyon hike, that is on par with some of Utah’s best. You won’t want to miss this one, so check out my other post with everything you need to know. But if you crave even more solitude, there are loads of other, less crowded, trails. As always, don’t forget these tips for thriving on your next desert adventure.

Here are some resources to get you started on planning your (less crowded) adventure in the San Rafael Swell!