Green River: Trails & Sightseeing

Whether you're unloading the OHV, traveling in by mountain bike, or just hoofing it on foot, the San Rafael Swell offers countless trails for you to explore. There are an estimated 600 miles or designated trails in the surrounding areas. These range from a short morning stroll, to the challenging technical canyoneering of the high adventure outdoorsman.

The desert canyons in the Green River area are world renown for being the last of the true wilderness, with some areas still unexplored. The narrow slot canyons offer shade from the sun, while amazing the professional rock climber and amateur alike.

The various trails can be a simple few hours with the family, or an all day, overnight trek for the thrill-seeker. The opportunities to see this wonderful land by motorized vehicle, peddled bike, or good old fashioned hiking boots, is unparalleled.

TOUR GUIDE COMPANIES & STABLES:

Green River Stables- 3383 North Long Street (435) 564-3554
Green River Aviation- 1651 Airport Road (435) 564-8383

The City of Green River Chamber of Commerce can be reached @ 877-564-3490

Grab a walking stick and lets head on out !

TEMPLE MOUNTAIN AREA

Temple Mountain looms in the background of this area which is riddled with old mines from the radium mining boom in the early 1900's. This area has many open routes and is great for bikes, ORVs, horseback or hiking!

Directions: From Green River head West on Interstate 70 to Utah Highway 24. Go South on 24 till you see the sign for Goblin Valley State Park. Turn right (West). Continue past the next Goblin Valley sign into the San Rafael Swell.

COTTONWOOD WASH/BUCKHORN WASH AREAS:

Cottonwood Wash and Buckhorn Wash are actually the same continuous route. This canyon area is lined with sublime sandstone towers and is rich in history. Watch for Native American rock art panels, and wild burros which are descendents of animals from the time of the Old Spanish Trail!

Directions: From Green River head West on Interstate 70 to Exit 131. From here the dirt roads heads East and then turns to the North. Follow the BLM signs.

Bring plenty of water especially in the hotter months.

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK:

This National Park contains the highest concentration of natural arches in the world! The area is covered in amazing rock towers, canyons, Native American rock art and more. This is truly a wonderland of some of the most amazing giant rock formations in the world.

Directions: From Green River head East on Interstate 70- 20 miles to the Crescent Junction. Go South on 191 towards Moab and follow the signs. Distance from Green River: 45 Miles.

SINBAD COUNTRY:

Sinbad Country has many open routes for ORVs, bikes and horses. Points of interest include historic Swasey's Cabin, pre-historic barrier canyon style rock art, natural arches, artifacts and remains of early 1900's uranium mining and wild horses and burros!

Directions: From Green River head West on Interstate 70 to Exit 131. Take the dirt road which runs back under the Interstate (South) into Sinbad Country. Follow the BLM signs to designated areas.

GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK:

Goblin Valley is a true wonder and a crown gem of the Utah State Parks. It's like stepping onto another planet.The bizarre shapes and contortions of the eroded brown goblins (hoodoos) throughout the valley make this a fantastic place to take your kids for an amazing day of freestyle hiking.

Directions: From Green River head West on Interstate 70 to Highway 24. Go South on 24 till you seen the sign to the right (West). Distance from Green River: 46 Miles

SEGO CANYON ROCK ART SITE:

Numerous different styles of Native American rock art can be found here, including the haunting barrier canyon style which may be up to 8,000 years old! Please do not touch the images as this accelerates the fading.

Directions: From Green River head East on Interstate 70 to Thompson Springs turnoff (approx 22 miles). Go North into Sego Canyon and watch for the parking area.

GREEN RIVER SCENIC TRAIL:

This sometimes challenging dirt road runs along the east side of the Green River as it cuts through magnificent canyons on the way to Nefertiti rock. Watch for bighorn mountain sheep which can be seen here and don't miss the old pioneer cabin, a great place for a picnic.

Directions: From Green River head East on Main Street to Hastings Road. Turn North on Hastings and just keep driving! At around 9 miles the pavement ends. You'll pass the beautiful Swasey's Beach area on the left and from here on the road can be rough especially after storms!

CRYSTAL GEYSER:

Crystal Geyser is a rare cold water geyser created by carbon dioxide gases. The geyser can shoot up to 60 feet and is surrounded by amazing terraces formed by mineral deposits from the water.

Directions: From Green River head East on Main Street through town and over the Interstate 70 overpass. At the "T" you'll see a sign pointing the way. Go left (East) and follow the signs!

BLACK DRAGON CANYON:

This beautiful canyon within the San Rafael Reef is named after an American Indian rock art depiction that looks somewhat like a dragon. The sandstone walls in this canyon are truly epic and accessible by high clearance 4x4s, ORVs, bikes, or on horseback.

Directions: From Green River head West on Interstate 70. At mile marker 147 exit the freeway very carefully! Go through the BLM gate and continue on this dirt road North. A BLM sign will point the way into the canyon.

TUSHER CANYON:

This beautiful canyon runs into the Book Cliffs on the East side of the Green River. Accessible by high clearance 4x4s, ORVs, bikes, horseback or on foot, there are rock art sites in the canyon and the dirt road eventually ascends the Book Cliffs giving way to great views of a seemingly endless landscape.

Directions: From Green River head East on Main Street to Hastings Road. Go left. Eight miles in is a small sign on the right for Tusher. Go right, following this dirt road into the canyon.

CLEVLAND-LLOYD DINOSAUR QUARRY:

The Clevland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry is a world-class site where over 12,000 individual dinosaur bones have been discovered. It is recognized as one of the world's foremost sites for the fossilized remains of the flesh eating Allosaur! You can tour the museum and see actual digs in progress.

Directions: The site is Northwest of Green River. For directions and information about hours of operation contact the Price BLM office at: (435) 636-3600.

JOHN WESLEY POWELL RIVER HISTORY MUSEUM:

Visit the John Wesley Powell River History Museum and relive the exciting journey of this early explorer. Artifacts, models, and working displays, plus full-size replicas of actual boats used, give the visitor an appreciation of the rigors of life on the river.

Directions: 885 East Main Street, (435) 564-3427.

Click here for the Museum website.

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK:

One of the true landscape wonders of the world. Canyonlands is just one of four major National Parks near Green River! Mind-blowing hiking trails, casual auto overlooks and world-class 4x4 offroad trails can be found here.

Directions: Head East on Interstate 70 to Crescent Junction. Head South on 191 and follow the signs.