The Colorado Riverway includes the public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) along the Colorado River and Utah Highway 128, from Dewey Bridge to U.S. 191; along the Colorado River and Utah Highway 279, from Moab Valley to Canyonlands National Park; and, along Kane Creek Road, from Moab Valley to the block of State land south of Hunter Canyon.
As steward of the public land within the Colorado Riverway, it is the goal of the BLM to preserve the scenic and environmental qualities of this remarkable area, while providing opportunities for public recreation.
The riverway provides access to hiking and mountain bike trails, off-highway vehicle routes, and river running. |
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- Scenic Drives: Utah's Colorado Riverway is a scenic wonderland of colorful cliffs, river-carved canyons, lush bottom lands, and massive sandstone spires. Highways 128 and 279 are both Utah Scenic Byways.
- Picnicking: Picnic facilities are available along Utah Highway 128 at Big Bend Recreation Site, Fisher Towers, and Hittle Bottom. No permits or fees are required for day use at these sites.
- Drinking Water: Treated drinking water is not available anywhere within the Riverway. Matrimony Spring, located along Utah Highway 128 just upstream from the Colorado River Bridge, is a source of untreated water. All untreated water should be filtered or chemically treated prior to drinking.
- Day Use Areas: Overnight camping is only allowed at approved campsites. No overnight camping is permitted at:
- Negro Bill Canyon Trailhead
- Big Bend Beach and Picnic Area
- Take-out Beach
- Sandy Beach
- Rocky Rapid
- Hittle Bottom (outside of the camping area)
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| Directions: |
The Riverway includes the public lands managed by the BLM along the Colorado River and Utah Highway 128, from Dewey Bridge to U.S. 191; along the Colorado River and Utah Highway 279, from Moab Valley to Canyonlands National Park; and, along Kane Creek Road, from Moab Valley to the block of State land south of Hunter Canyon.
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| Coordinates: |
Map Coordinates (NAD83): 38 36.760N; 109 32.004W. |
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| Regulations: |
- Motor vehicle and mountain bike travel within the Colorado Riverway is limited to designated roads and trails. Vehicle use is limited to designated roads and trails. Drivers must adhere to posted travel restrictions. The creation of new informal travel routes is unsightly and ecologically destructive. Take care to avoid crushing fragile cryptobiotic soil. This soil nurtures vegetation and reduces erosion. Do not run over any plant life.
- Camping is permitted only at improved recreation sites with facilities managed for overnight use and at designated undeveloped campsites.
- Portable toilets are required for overnight use of designated, undeveloped campsites. Toilets may include either a washable, reusable toilet system, such as a "porta-pottie," or, in the case or recreational vehicles, a holding tank. Solid human body waste must be disposed of out of the Riverway, using authorized sewer systems, i.e., at recreational vehicle dump stations or by flushing down sewer lines.
- Visitors must pack out all trash and dispose of it properly.
- See Archaeological Site Etiquette.
- See American Antiquities Act of 1906.
- See Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979.
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act Hotline: 800-227-7286.
- See Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Restrictions and Regulations.
- See Pets in the Parks and Backcountry.
- See Encountering Wild Animals.
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| Precautions: |
- Swimming in the Colorado River is not recommended due to currents and hidden hazards. If you must swim, wear a life jacket.
- Never dive into the river. Underwater hazards are hidden by the muddy water.
- Be wary of the Riverway's natural hazards, such as cliff rims, steep slopes, and thorny plants. Rattlesnakes and scorpions exist in the area, but are seldom seen. All snakes should be avoided, not killed.
- See Backcountry Considerations.
- See Backcountry Emergencies.
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