Although you can explore the mountain range up close by driving straight to them, the best view of the La Sals is actually at the La Sal Mountain Viewpoint in nearby Arches National Park, right on the other side of Moab.
The viewpoint is located just past the entrance to the park and features incredible views of the La Sal mountains as well as some of Arches’s most striking natural formations, including the Three Gossips, Sheep Rock, The Organ, and Balanced Rock by the horizon. There’s a short trail leading from the parking lot out to the viewpoint, only about 500 feet, but you’re also welcome to wander off the beaten path and explore the area. Arches National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Utah and is well worth visiting if you’re in the area.
If you’d rather see the La Sals up close, then we recommend taking the La Sal Mountain Loop Road, a 60-mile route that starts just south of Moab and takes you over the tops of the mountain peaks before returning you to town. The scenic loop takes about three hours if you drive straight through, but we would recommend stopping at the overlooks and taking the dirt roads out to Mill Creek and Oowah Lake so you can enjoy the landscape.
One of the unique features of the La Sals is the way they rise so dramatically out of the desert, so you’ll see the scenery change quickly from red rock formations to alpine forests as you rise in elevation, eventually giving way to start granite peaks. The La Sal mountain range is even more beautiful up close than it is from the viewpoint, so we recommend taking the drive out if you have time.
To make the most of your trip, check out our La Sal Mountains Self-Guided Driving Tour.
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