Sand Flats Recreation Area - a Public Lands Treasure

1. What is the Sand Flats Recreation Area? The Sand Flats Recreation Area (SFRA) near Moab, Utah is a 7,240 acre, nationally significant public lands treasure at the heart of the Colorado Plateau. A high plane of slickrock domes, bowls and fins, it rises on the south to meet the colorful mesas and nearly 13,000-foot peaks of the La Sal Mountains. Cutting into the area on the east and west are the canyons of the Negro Bill and Mill Creek Wilderness Study Areas. To the north lies the deep gorge of the Colorado River and a hundred mile vista over Arches National Park. SFRA is home to the famous Slickrock Bike Trail enjoyed annually by over 100,000 visitors. The SFRA is also popular for camping and jeeping.

2. Who manages Sand Flats Recreation Area? The Sand Flats Recreation Area is managed through a unique partnership between Grand County and the Bureau of Land Management. This area was developed in 1995 through the collaborative efforts of Americorps, the BLM, Grand County and the Moab Community. You can help our partnership efforts by taking responsibility for the lands you enjoy. Learn the guidelines of sustainable land use by:

3. Where do my fees go? All user fees remain in this program and go towards services and maintenance. Information services include staffing the entrance station, campground and backcountry patrols, displays, brochures and maps. Maintenance includes upkeep of campgrounds, toilet facilities and trails. Resource protection comprises upkeep of fences, signs and revegetation projects.

A portion of fees collected go to pay for the annual lease of this land. Your fees also sustain an apprenticeship program that provides work-study opportunities for local high school students. In addition a portion of fees helps to support the operation of Grand County Search and Rescue.

4. What is the user fee at SFRA? SFRA offers day-use passes, good for 3 days.Private vehicle passes cost $5.00, bike passes cost $2.00, shuttle/van passes cost $2.00 per person. Annual passes cost $20.00 and are good for day use by the cardholder and their family.

5. Can I camp at SFRA? Yes, Sand Flats has 107 campsites, open year round and offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Campsites are spread out over 8 camp clusters (lettered A thru H) each with a picnic table, metal fire ring and nearby vault toilet. Campers need to bring in all their drinking water, as water is not available on this high desert plateau. Camping at SFRA costs $8.00 per night per car for 1 to 4 people. Additional persons cost $2.00 each per night. Children 7 years and under camp for free.

6. Does SFRA take group site reservations? Yes, the maximum number of occupants in a group campsite is 16. The reservation fee is $10.00 and the base fee is $24.00. If you would like to reserve a site please call 435-259-2444 between 8-9 am or 5-6 pm seven days a week. Groups larger than 16 people can reserve a group campsite along the Colorado River. Call the BLM at 435-259-2100 or visit their web site at www.blm.gov/utah/moab.

7. What are the trail rules at Sand Flats?
Whether traveling by bike, motorcycle, ATV or 4 WD vehicle, users need to follow these rules:

8. How difficult is mountain biking the Slickrock Bike trail? The Slickrock Bike trail is rated a class 4 on a scale of 1-4, 4 being the hardest. Steep inclines and descents offer technical challenges to the most experienced bikers. The 2.3 mile Practice Loop is recommended to first time visitors and takes about a half hour. The Practice Loop is still rated as difficult and not for children, novice riders or out-of-shape individuals. The main trail is 12.7 miles and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. The biking season is mid-February through November, but the trail is most popular during spring and fall. If you must ride during the summer plan a 6 am start to avoid potentially life threatening heat.

9. What is the Porcupine Rim Trail like? The “other mountain biking trail” at SFRA is the Porcupine Rim Trail, popular and difficult (class 4). The trailhead is located on the eastern end of SFRA, 7 miles up the Sand Flats road from the entrance station. The first part of the trail is shared with motorized users. At mile 11.2 the trail becomes single track with steep ledges and is suitable only for biking and hiking. The trail is usually ridden one way and takes 3 hours to half a day. From the trailhead to highway 128 is 14.4 miles or 20.4 miles to Moab. If ridden as a loop from town, the entire ride is 30.8 miles. Shuttle services can provide transportation to the trailhead. The Porcupine Rim trail offers a variety of riding surfaces in a remote and rugged area of outstanding scenery.

10. Does Sand Flats have motorized trails? Yes. SFRA has over 40 miles of jeep trails that motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are also welcome to ride. These include Fins ‘n’ Things Jeep Trail, Porcupine Jeep Trail, Hell’s Revenge Trail and the first 11.2 miles of the Porcupine Rim Trail. Motorcycles may ride the Slickrock Bike Trail but it is not suitable for ATVs due to steep side slopes and narrow ledges. All users (motorized and non-motorized) must travel marked routes. There are NO open play areas in Sand Flats. Motorized traffic yields to non-motorized traffic. Motorcycles and ATV’s are responsible for following Utah State Regulations for off-highway vehicles. For more information visit www.stateparks.utah.gov/ohv/laws.htm.

How do I “play it safe” while recreating at the SFRA? This area offers challenging riding amidst world-class scenery. The characteristics that make it a special place for riding also make it extremely important to follow basic safety procedures. The Moab Bike Patrol has this to say:

Can I bring my dog? Yes, SFRA is “dog friendly”. You need to keep your dog under physical or verbal control at all times. Dogs should not chase or harass wildlife. A good place to take your dog for a walk is to hike one of the four-wheel drive roads such as the Fins n Things Jeep Trail. The Slickrock Bike Trail is not recommended for dogs. Most dogs are not used to running on sandstone, which acts like sandpaper on their paws. Owners also need to remember to carry water for their pooch. If you are riding the bike trail and would like to leave your dog behind, one option is to find a vacant campsite, with shade, and leave your dog tied up for the few hours you are on the trail. Never leave your dog in a parked car as temperatures rise to dangerously high levels quickly in the desert. There is also a kennel in Moab.

Does Sand Flats waive fees for volunteer groups? As a self-sustaining program SFRA cannot afford to waive fees. Sand Flats will, however, waive up to half of the camping fees for at least one full day of volunteer service. This half price fee is at the discretion of the manager. SFRA also has a volunteer service program that gives participants an annual pass for day-use valued at $20.00. These events are advertised in local papers and radio and usually held in the spring and fall. The volunteer labor of local and visiting volunteers are important contributions to operations at SFRA.

Trail map brochures are available at the entrance booth and at the trailhead. Detailed topographic maps and guidebooks are available in Moab at bike shops, bookstores and the Moab Information Center.