Viewpoints and Walks on I-70 in Utah
West of Green River, Interstate 70 enters the San Rafael Swell, an upwelling or anticline that has faulted and been worn down through erosion. What remains is a fantastic collection of a mesas, buttes, petrified sand dunes, and canyons, much of it carved from Navajo Sandstone and dotted with juniper and sage. Other than the highway very few roads access the remote area and the ones that do are dirt. Looking at this wilderness from any angle boggles the mind with the untouched vast wilderness seeming to stretch beyond the horizon.
I had never been on the stretch of I-70 west of Green River and so Tom graciously drove in service of my need for taking pictures. He also agreed to stop at all the westbound overlooks which wasn’t a real hardship since it gave us the opportunity to walk around and climb on some of the formations. Ya know, after we hopped some fences. Abby was enthusiastic about the familiar mix of sandstone and juniper-sage environment after months of deciduous trees and humidity too, and had some good rabbit chases (don’t worry, no rabbits are harmed – she never catches any). It was probably the best way I could think of to break up the drive back to southwest Utah. Of course, now that I’ve seen it from the highway I’m already scheming on when to do a return trip…. But anyway, it’s a phenomenal place and too amazing not to share.
Looking at the San Rafael Reef from I-70 in Eastern Utah
The San Rafael Reef – The Silent City, Utah
Tom and Abby, San Rafael Reef Viewpoint, Utah
Black Dragon Canyon, Utah
I-70, Utah
Ghost Rocks Viewpoint, Utah
Ghost Rocks Viewpoint, Utah
Ghost Rocks Viewpoint, Utah
Ghost Rocks Viewpoint, Utah
Eagle Canyon Viewpoint, Utah
Me and The Abbadog, Ghost Rocks Viewpoint, Utah
Eagle Canyon Viewpoint, Utah
Salt Wash view area, Utah
Salt Wash view area, Utah
I-70, Utah
Castle Valley from I-70, Utah
Are the pullouts well marked? I’m going to be in that area hopefully later this year and will be driving a lot of miles that day, so some picturesque stops will be helpful breaking up the day.
Yes, they’re marked as rest areas or rest stops I believe; you don’t miss them. Also, the eastbound and westbound ones are in different places which means you’d get a unique experience either way. These are all westbound stops- Tom says the eastbound stops are very nice too.
Isn’t Utah beUtahful?! Alicia @ http://www.Girlonahike.com
Never fails to amaze me, Alicia! I have rarely been so impressed with a place and I’m still getting my mind-blown a few times a week as I explore more and more. Also, thanks for reminding me that I need to start using beUtahful in my blog posts. 🙂
I have always wanted to go camping in Utah. After seeing these pictures I really need to do it!
The entire state is fantastic. There are so many really cool things there.
Spectacular photos once again! I forgot to tell you, I recommended your blog in an interview we did for a fellow blogger. You can see it here if you’re interested http://thewayofthesquirrelbooks.com/2015/11/30/meet-and-greet-monday-bloggers-wandering-wives/
Oh my gosh, THANK YOU so much! I am so happy I can help with your wanderlust fix! Fantastic interview- I love your writing and amazing photos too!
I just drove across I-70 eastbound through Utah in an 18-wheeler. That was fantastic! I stopped at Devil’s Canyon overlook, then proceeded east where the terrain levelled off a bit. Then suddenly, there were truck warning signs for a long steep hill with truck escape ramps and the road descended down this fantastic canyon of red rocks. Does anyone know if there is a name for this stretch with the long steep grade?
So, so beautiful!!! Makes me want to go and start packing right now.
It’s such a gorgeous part of the US, Oleksandra!