Behind the Reef

4.9/5 (16 reviews)
The San Rafael Swell of central Utah is considered by many to be one of the most unique, rugged, and beautiful geology in the western United States. Spanning from Price to Hanksville and Emery to Green River, this colorful sandstone triangle brings out the adventurer in all of us. You can raft the...Read More
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Highlights of Behind the Reef

Altitude Category IconAltitude
Camping Category IconCamping
Desert Category IconDesert
Mine Category IconMine
Overland Category IconOverland
Wash Category IconWash
Highest Elevation
5863 ft
Shape of Trail
Straight Through
Typically Open
Year Round
Best Direction
South
Official Trail Name
Behind the Reef
Nearest Town
Hanksville
Nearest Services
Hanksville
Management Agency
Bureau of Land Management
District
Hanksville Field Office

Overview

The San Rafael Swell of central Utah is considered by many to be one of the most unique, rugged, and beautiful geology in the western United States. Spanning from Price to Hanksville and Emery to Green River, this colorful sandstone triangle brings out the adventurer in all of us. You can raft the San Rafael River, mountain bike the innumerable single tracks, explore pictographs and petroglyphs, horseback through the red rock, or kick back in a remote campsite. But the miles and miles of offroad trails running through desert juniper forests onto dry and arid plateaus before descending to cottonwood-lined rivers is the largest draw. Behind the Reef may be the hidden gem of the magnificent Swell. Behind the Reef traces along the huge jutting San Rafael Reef, the eastern wall of the Swell. The dichotomy of jaw-dropping and conflicting views adds to the uniqueness of this remote meandering red track. Looking west, you feel like you are on top of the world, an eagle's perspective of the vast sandstone solitude below. To the east, towering cliffs remind you just how small you really are in this endless stony landscape. What will you find Behind the Reef?

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Guide Overview
23 Waypoints
71 Trail Photos
4 Trail Concerns
16 Community Reviews
1 Video
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