activities
picnic
The San Rafael Swell offers some of Utah’s best hiking trails. Hikes range from mild kid-friendly to intense mega-adventures. There is something for everybody here!
From slot canyons to Rock Art panels, there is a wide variety of adventures waiting you in and around the Swell. While many of the trails are well marked, some are a little more remote and require a little effort to find. It should also be noted that many of the trails offer no amenities, so bring water, snacks and of course… a camera!
locations
Green River State Park
An oasis on the west bank of the Green River where you will find yourself resting in the shade of the tall cottonwood trees and lush green lawns. This park is the starting point for river running adventures through Labyrinth and Stillwater canyons, permits (available at the park) are required for this stretch or you…
Huntington State Park
A warm water reservoir surrounded by cinnamon-colored buttes. It is a quiet desert oasis that offers water sports, boating, and fishing. The park is also a great place to spot migratory birds or head out on a hiking, biking or off-roading adventure. Completed in 1966, this popular summer destination offers 237 acres of boating, swimming…
John Wesley Powell River History Museum
This museum, located on the Eastern bank of the wold Green River, pays special tribute to Major John Wesley Powell. Inside you will find exhibits about other early explorers, mountain men, river runners, and much, much more. This museum is a great way to spend an afternoon, art buffs will enjoy visiting the large art…
Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry
Visit the site of the densest concentration of Jurassic-aged dinosaur bones ever found. More than 12,000 bones from at least 74 individual prehistoric animals have been excavated here. See replicas of a dinosaur skeleton and dinosaur skulls, explore hands-on exhibits, and visit an excavation pit.
Swasey’s Beach
North of Green River, this white sand beach shaded by cottonwood trees spans a bend in the river along the edge of the Book Cliffs. Shallow water gives children plenty of opportunity to frolic, and bighorn sheep frequent the water’s edge. The white sand beach spans a long bend in the river and is shaded…
Swinging Bridge
The San Rafael Bridge, locally known as the swinging bridge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938. The swinging bridge was the only bridge over the San Rafael River until the 1990s. Though you can no longer drive on the bridge, it is perfectly safe to walk on. Water height of the river…
Millsite State Park
Camp in the quiet campground, boat and fish on the clear blue waters of the reservoir, explore the trails on two/four wheels, or try your swing on the nearby golf course. Millsite State Park is a secluded 435-acre lake at the mouth of scenic Ferron Canyon. This Utah State Park reservoir is a popular fishery and…
Buckhorn Pictograph Panel
The Buckhorn Pictograph panel is over 130 feet in length and features art from two distinct cultures that have inhabited the area. The dominant artwork is a series of painted figures and symbols, called pictographs, believed to have been created over 2000 years ago by people of the Barrier Canyon Culture. This was an ancient…
Dead Horse Point
Located to the southeast of Green River, this park offers impressive vistas and a night sky that was made for campers. Situated 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, on the edge of Canyonlands National Park, this ever-changing landscape is immense and breathtaking. From evidence of ancient hunters knapping tools for the hunt to tales of…
Museum of the San Rafael
A visit to the Museum of the San Rafael is a journey through the past: learn about dinosaur fossils and see Native American artifacts discovered in the region, and learn about local settlers and industry in the area. Located in Castle Dale, this museum tells the story of the County and features visitor information and…
Cedar Mountain
Cedar Mountain recreation area is a great place to enjoy a picnic and some spectacular overlooks. A short nature trail is great for family adventures before or after a picnic area. One important note: there is NO WATER available here. Numerous trail options take you for one overlook to another, making this destination particularly popular…
Huntington Canyon
Huntington Canyon is a heavily wooded canyon in the Manti-La Sal National Forest. A pleasant 30-mile drive up the canyon via Utah State Route 31 is part of the state designated Huntington-Eccles Scenic Byway, also known as the Energy Loop Scenic Byway. Featuring sheer pock-marked canyon walls, the forest offers campgrounds, hiking, biking…
Sego Canyon
Sego Canyon, named after a lily native to the region, contains rock art from three different Native American cultures and a well-preserved ghost town. Visitors can get a rare view of both petroglyphs and pictographs created by peoples of the Barrier Canyon, Fremont, and Ute Indian Cultures, spanning some 10,000 years of history. In the…
Capital Reef National Park
Cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges make this park a geological wonder well-worth exploring. Capitol Reef is a hiker’s dream with no shortage of trails. From day hiking to backcountry hiking, the area rewards any and all efforts to get out and explore nature. The park rewards visitors with large sandstone domes, pillars, waterfalls and mysterious…
Joe’s Valley Reservoir
Joe’s Valley is situated on the Wasatch Plateau in Central Utah. Juniper, pinyon pine and sagebrush cover the area, and aspens and pines dot the surrounding hillsides. The 1,170 acre reservoir is 7000 feet above sea level and offers good fishing for cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, tiger muskie and trophy lake. Boating, water skiing and…
Goblin Valley State Park
Explore Goblin Valley’s otherworldly landscape, featuring unique “hoodoo” sandstone rock formations (also known as “goblins”) formed by erosion over millions of years. Home to one of the clearest, darkest night skies in the world, Goblin Valley is a popular destination for stargazers, and has been officially…
Arches National Park
Arches National Park features over 2,000 natural sandstone arches that more than 1 million visitors come from far and wide to see each year. Vibrant colors make these fragile geological formations a sight to see in the desert. Within the park’s more than 75,000 acres, you will find a myriad of other strange…
The Wedge Overlook
Visitors to the Wedge Overlook can take in spectacular views of the deep gorge carved over millennia by the San Rafael River. But the Wedge, also known as Utah’s “Little Grand Canyon,” isn’t just one of the most breathtaking scenic vistas in the state. Adventures abound for bikers, hikers, rafters, sightseers, and campers. When you…