CuteCamper
Sand Flats Recreation Area
The Sand Flats Recreation Area (SFRA) near Moab, Utah is a nationally significant public lands treasure at the heart of the Colorado Plateau. A high plain of slick rock domes, bowls and fins, it rises in the east to meet the colorful mesas and nearly 13,000 foot peaks of the La Sal Mountains.
Bordering the area on the north and south are the canyons of the Negro Bill and Mill Creek Wilderness Study Areas. Further north lies the deep gorge of the Colorado River and Arches National Park. Sand Flats famous Slickrock and Porcupine Rim bike trails and almost 40 miles of jeep trails are world-renowned for their combination of challenge and awesome scenery.
Sand Flats is also popular for camping. Over 200,000 visitors enjoy this 9,000-acre recreation area annually. The Sand Flats Recreation Area is managed through a unique partnership between Grand County and the Bureau of Land Management. In 1995 this area was developed through the collaborative efforts of Americorps, the Bureau of Land Management, Grand County and the Moab community.
Sand Flats' mission is to protect the natural features of the area from adverse recreational impacts while providing access to sustainable and enjoyable recreational opportunities.
Sand Flats offers a few different types of day use passes.
- Enter in a private vehicle and you have the option of purchasing a 1 day pass for $5.00 or a 7 day pass for $10.00.
- Enter by bicycle, motorcycle or via shuttle and the cost is $2.00 per day or $5.00 for 7 days.
- Sand Flats also charges a vehicle trailer fee of $5.00.
- Sand Flats sells an annual pass for $25.00. The pass admits the card-holder and passengers in a single, private vehicle for day use through the last day of the month and year indicated on the pass.
- When entry is by bicycle, motorcycle or shuttle van, this pass covers card-holder and accompanying family members. This pass does not cover camping. This pass is non-transferable and nonrefundable.
- Sand Flats offers six reservable group campsites on Recreation.gov. All other camping is first-come, first-serve at $15.00 per night per vehicle, with an additional $5.00 charge for a utility trailer.
RecAreaDirections
To get to the Sand Flats Recreation Area from south of Moab on U.S. 191 turn right at first traffic light onto 400 East. Proceed for 1 mile to Dave’s Corner Market and Millcreek Drive. Make a right onto Millcreek Drive and proceed for ½ mile to stop sign. Go straight at stop sign onto the Sand Flats Road that continues up a hill for 2 ½ miles to the Entrance Booth.
Open with Google MapMisc
| Stay Limit | |
| Reservable | false |
| Keywords | |
| Map Link | |
| Contact Phone | |
| Contact Email |
Permits info
Facilities
Fins and Things Trailhead Facility
Spectacular views of the LaSal Mountains across the sandstone domes of Sand Flats. Although it is only 10 miles long, drivers should allow 3-4 hours to complete the steep climbs and even steeper descents.
Use of the portion south of the Sand Flats Road is restricted to daytime use only. "Daytime" is defined as a hour after sunrise to 1/2 hour before sunset. The trail is marked with painted dinosaur symbols or stripes. Drivers and riders should follow the marked route, which traverses the Slickrock domes south of the Sand Flats Road before crossing this road to follow fins and domes on the north side of the Sand Flats Road. It is almost entirely on slick rock or loose dirt. Please stay on the marked route and follow the one way signs as vehicles are allowed only on designated routes within the Sand Flats Recreation Area. Remember, indiscriminate vehicle tracks represent the theft of beauty which you came here to see. Additional information can be found on the Sand Flats Recreation Area website.Sand Flats Recreation Area Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Along with easy access to biking and off-highway vehicle trails, Sand Flats' campgrounds offer spectacular vistas of sandstone domes, canyons, and mesas in addition to the ever-changing La Sal Mountains as a dramatic back-drop. Visitors are awed by beautiful sunsets, the magic of howling coyotes and a night sky of seemingly unlimited stars.Recreation
The Sand Flats Recreation Area is home to the Slickrock Bike Trail, a world renowned mountain biking destination. The area is also a premier destination for 4x4 and backcountry motorcycle enthusiasts. There is nearly 40 miles of off-highway vehicle trails to explore within the recreation area.Facilities
The group campsites are located in the Datura and Echo campgrounds. All group sites accommodate up to 16 people. Both Datura A, B, and D and E-1 group sites have space for six passenger cars, or two to three RVs, or two to three trucks with camp trailers. The Datura C and E-10 group sites' parking areas are smaller and can only accomodate 4 passenger cars, or 1 RV and one truck with camp trailer. Facilities include shade structures, picnic tables and fire rings. There are nearby vault toilet facilities. Campers will need to bring drinking water.
