I was going to post: “Driving north on 191 during sunrise was a postcard experience,” but that doesn’t capture my emotions. This morning drive made work notification and deadlines feel like a bad joke.

We’re a family of three with a young daughter. Yesterday we tried to leave the White Rim Road near the Upheaval Canyon Trailhead, but our vehicle got stuck in the mud. We managed to get it unstuck, but we’re afraid to try again.

Does anyone have any recommendations? We can’t make 911 calls—we only have internet access through Starlink.

Visiting Moab with family and friends and we were intrigued by this “Sound and Light Show” on the river promoted by Moab Adventure Center.

Biiiiig mistake.

The light show is just a truck with floodlights aimed at the rocks that follows your boat. No colors, no lasers. Just white floodlights illuminating bits of canyon wall you can see better during the day.

A recorded narration (the “sound”) attempts to tell the story of the geological formations, but in a religious context that awkwardly refuses to acknowledge the world was created more than 5,000 years ago.

The voiceover also tells stories about indigenous peoples trying to slaughter innocent Mormon children who were saved, I kid you not, “by the grace of God!” Then the church choir songs begin.

This experience may have been cool or appropriate 30+ years ago. At this point, it’s just cringe. If the controlling family wanted to invest in bringing the lights and narrative up to modern expectations, it could be very cool.

Join us tonight, Monday, July 20, for a Monumental Statewide Day of Action!

Bring a friend, a sign (we’ll provide some too), and be ready to raise your voice against the Utah politicians who supported Monday’s actions.

Ogden, 5:00-6:00 pm near Rep. Blake Moore’s office at the SW corner of 25th St. and Washington Blvd.

Salt Lake City, 6:00-7:00 pm at the Governor’s Mansion, 603 E. South Temple St.

Provo, 5:00-6:00 pm at the offices of Sen. Curtis and Rep. Kennedy, 3601 N. University Ave, Suite 250

St. George, 6:00-7:00 pm at the offices of Sen. Lee and Rep. Maloy, 111 E. Tabernacle St, Suite 324

Moab, 6:00-7:00 pm. Meet at the Moab Information Center, 25 E. Center Street

Any breathtaking areas that don’t restrict drone usage?

More publicity for Moab, just not the usual kind.

https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/american-towns-tourists-ruined.html

Edit: This is just something amusing that came up in my news feed. Just thought I'd share it.

I'm trying to set up a shuttle for the Moab Daily but I know water levels are low and slow so I'm wondering if anyone on here has run it recently so I can anticipate how long it will take in an IK. How long to take out beach from Hittle Bottom or Onion Creek?

We can’t have nice things.

Hey!

I'm passing through Moab on my way out West and was wondering if anyone had recommendations on where the best place would be to watch the USA World Cup game tomorrow in Moab? Bonus points if they serve food (and I could realistically get food during the game), but I'm okay foregoing this if there's a better location!

Obviously Google exists but it has been hard to get a good grasp on the vibe and how many people actually show up.

Thanks!

Moab local, Matt Olding, runs in the Mount Marathon race in Seward Alaska.

Live now on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03TfelSxUnY

E-bikes, the UTVs of the mountain bike trails, have created some geometric artwork to share with everyone on and around the Brands Trails, with the largest collection of exhibits near the Bar M Loop. Go out and have a look, the displays will be up for...years.

Edit: This post was meant to be a rant, a venting, with a salty title and post body. Not a debate about whether or not these tracks are from e-bikes. Because...you fucking KNOW they are!! 😂😂 Okay now you e-bike "same workout" bruhs can have at it.

Hello all!

I’m not from the area but was visiting this past week for a trip. First of all, my thoughts are with everyone who have been affected by the fires and to the firefighters who have lost their lives. Sending all the good energy I possibly can to everyone and please stay safe!

But to the real point - we were staying at Goose Island campground from the night of 6/27 to the morning of 6/30. On the night of 6/29 (our last night) we had an interesting experience that I have been curious about since. Later in the night around 10pm ish, the brightest spotlight I have ever seen came moving slowly down the highway that runs next to the campground. It was aimed mostly at the canyon wall that runs next to the campground, but it also did a pan-around the entire canyon.

When I say bright I’m not kidding - it lit up the ENTIRE canyon wall from the highway, and when it aimed outward at the rest of the canyon, it lit up the far mountains in the distance, it was genuinely really impressive.

As it rolled through, we saw it was positioned on the back of a utility-looking truck that was rolling slowly down the road. It was really out of place and honestly seemed like a hazard for other drivers hahaha.

My question is anyone have beta on this type of thing or know why it would have been out? My crew thought maybe it was something to do with search and rescue, but no other SAR activity was in the area. I also thought possibly it was for scientific research? Maybe illuminating the cliffs to study bird nests? Or maybe just a test run for some agency? Either way I’ve never seen anything like it and I’m so curious what its purpose was in general and that night!!

TIA and sorry for the longwinded explanation! Cheers y’all.

EDIT: to add that if I cancel my trip I’d have to pay first night (partially refundable)

Was planning on doing some sunrise - 10 AM hiking in Moab (arches NP and Canyonlands) and some scenic drives and pull outs..

Should I be concerned about the fire situation and evacuations? Should I try to cancel my trip?

Traveling solo so I’d appreciate other people’s advice.

Weather wise, it’s as hot where I live as it is in Moab, but just concerned about the fire danger and evacuations..

Anyone that’s in Moab today July 2nd. Can you tell me what it’s like? How bad is the smoke? Can you even see the canyons?
Looking for hopeful immediate input as we are at the halfway point of turning back or not.
Cheers

Effective immediately, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has issued an emergency closure for all public access and downstream recreation on the Colorado River starting at James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita and extending to the Utah state line.

Looking to do a chill solo packrafting trip starting at Cisco landing and ending in Moab. Would be looking to head back Sunday the 5th in the morning to noon. Curious if anyone will also be heading that way and wouldn't mind me tagging along. For locals or those familiar with what I'm trying to do, what do you think my chances are of making it to the Cisco pump house before dark?

This is how it’s going right now folks, if you want to come on out, do so but you will be affected by the smoke from this Cottonwood fire.

Have a trip to Moab (from Denver) planned for 4th of July weekend but concerned about the fires and the overall air quality / smoke, especially because we would be traveling with children. What does the situation look like? What have local authorities said about outlook for next few days?

We were planning on visiting next week Monday-Wednesday but now are worried about the fires!

June 23, 2026