The Perfect 3-Day Road Trip Through Utah's Best-Kept Secrets

The lesser visited area in the middle of Utah has some great places to explore. Visitors get national park views without the crowds. Watch as we explore the area near the San Rafael Swell on an ATV, see the world's largest dinosaur quarry, walk in the footsteps of Butch Cassidy, and search for petroglyphs and pictographs.
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⚡️Read our San Rafael Swell article, The Perfect 3-Day Road Trip Through the San Rafael Swell & Central Utah (Helper, Goblin Valley, Price, & More!): wereintherockies.com/san-rafa...
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⚡️Big Mountain Lodge in Ferron, UT: www.bigmountainlodgeutah.com/
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro & Overview
0:55 Helper, UT
4:50 Jurassic National Monument
6:32 Castle Dale, Utah
9:55 San Rafael Swell
11:37 Buckhorn Wash Petroglyphs
15:15 ATV Ride in Green River, UT
20:19 Canyonlands National Park
22:00 The Great Gallery
23:48 Nine Mile Canyon
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[@karukun0212]

Oh-the secret is out! Darn. I live near the Swell--greatest place on earth to spend a week with family in national park scenery and not see another soul. I raised my kids and now grandkids out there. Truly the secret sauce exists there. Grand Canyon of the San Rafael, Three Fingers Canyon, Head of Sinbad, Chutes of Muddy Creek and more.

[@amymarie3337]

We used y’all’s planning guides for Yellowstone and Glacier NP and had the BEST VACAY ever! Considering we drove from Texas, it had to be right! We stayed in Cody, Wyoming before entering Yellowstone and fell in love with that place! We also love Utah!

[@WereintheRockies]

We are so glad it was helpful and that you had such a great time!

[@TS-lw5nv]

Great video. Tough stuff like this worries me as over promotion is exactly how the quiet UT parks became over crowded in 2015.

[@shawnlawrence4066]

It's good to see my hometown portrayed in one of your videos

[@carytriplet9037]

Thanks for taking us along brother! Utah is fantastic.

[@WereintheRockies]

You're welcome!

[@daniellebollman447]

Great storytelling, Matt! Thank you for sharing! I loved the footage of the little Grand Canyon. Good to see your dad and his love for adventure!

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks Daniele! You know I always love hearing from you. :)

[@fullsendproductions1976]

I drive up to Park City Utah each year from Oklahoma and drive through Helper each year! I had no idea this place had so much too offer. Appreciate you creating this video.

[@posteroonie]

Beautiful scenery and useful information, thank you.

[@toadj7670]

Great now we can have even more tourists taking over everything the locals used to be able to enjoy in peace and quiet

[@oddjobs3025]

DUDE....thanks so much! I am going there as soon as it warms up. Best vid!!!

[@tictocbang7443]

Fantastic video, thank you! We love going to Helper. Such a cool town with fun art galleries and museums.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for watching!

[@kaykaykayak9368]

Love it! Thanks for the little history lesson.

[@tjcihlar1]

I love the flowers blooming in June.

[@lifeisgood7762]

Just discovered your channel and this is the first vlog I've watched... super awesome content for my favorite state to visit and explore. Thanks a ton!

[@WereintheRockies]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@kevincrock1202]

I did not want this video to end !! My wife and I are heading out there in May ! Thanks for sharing some hidden places for us to venture !! Really enjoyed the video ! Thanks again from Kevin in France and Florida

[@WereintheRockies]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching. Enjoy your trip to the US.

[@danhoffman9392]

Good to see you do the trip with your dad. I miss doing that

[@staciamwalrus]

This is an especially great video. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@WereintheRockies]

You're welcome!

[@BrendaHaltom-cs6ck]

Wonderful rock art and flowers! And Little Grand Canyon!❤️😀🇺🇸

[@JordanMcKee]

When I saw this video... it must be about Uintahs around Vernal Utah, and around Dinosaur National Monument in Northeast Utah/colorado/Wyoming border. I was surprised to see Utah has two Dinosaur themed National Monuments with National Park views! Thanks for this video! My wife is from Helper and me from Vernal, I'd recommend making your way up there at some point!

[@WereintheRockies]

We've been to both!

[@cheryl_the_horsechick]

Been to about half these places and they are great. Did canyonlands in the summer. It was 100 degrees and we were only people. This is where the hiker got trapped and had to cut his arm off to hike out. He was so lucky there was a family hiking to save him😊

[@WereintheRockies]

Wow!

[@ShalliniSheeran]

This video is so awesome. We have been to most of those places and now we can visit some new sites too.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you! 🙏 I hope you get to them!

[@billroberts9182]

Excellent VLOG! I will visit a couple of your stops. Thx for the tips.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for watching

[@davex36]

I was in utah last october and early november. Absolutely loved canyonlands, arches, natural bridges, and on down to mesa verde in colorado.

[@robertbell179]

I was born and raised in Orangeville and have been everywhere you covered so that was a wonderful video thank you

[@foifoifoi610]

I LOVE THIS CHANNEL !!

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks so much!

[@user-oh2hs6jh5x]

As bad as that mining disaster was, for so many other mining disasters to be even worse is especially sad. I've crossed the San Rafael Swell on I-70, and even that is beautiful. There is obviously a lot more to see off the interstate. Great video.

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Amazing film ,amazing area ,must visit on my next trip ,thanks

[@WereintheRockies]

Please do!

[@willicat44]

I would love to go on one of these jamborees. For years now I wanted to get a SXS and introduce my kids and granddaughter to the beautiful country that we live in...

[@petem6846]

Wonderful video! You did a great job of pointing out some gems. Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry is cool--went there before it was a National Monument. The Wedge looks fantastic! Nine-mile Canyon is well worth the time. We drove it before the road was paved and there was a lot of gas field traffic. Now I want to go back since it's paved; it also looks like it's been upgraded.

[@WereintheRockies]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BillyJ244]

You sold me on it. As soon as I can afford to I am going to go. I've always wanted to go out west. I've been stuck in Cleveland Ohio for most of my life. I really need to get out of here. Thank you for your great presentation!

[@WereintheRockies]

Go for it!

[@DutchDangle]

You won't like it. Stay away!

[@BillyJ244]

@@DutchDangle what's not to like?

[@stolman2197]

Many of the locations in there swell carry the names of my grandmother's uncles. Swasey's Leap, Swasey's Cabin, Sid & Charlie, Baptist Draw and many more. They were contemporaries with Butch & Sundance who would "swap out" horses on the way through.

[@WereintheRockies]

Holy cow! We need to chat!

[@Lizerator]

Great video. I have traveled Utah often but didn't know about any of these places. Thank you!

[@WereintheRockies]

You're welcome.

[@MrA1582000]

Well will be there in May, you sold me.

[@lindaschoss9958]

This is a great video. Lots of places i still need to visit..

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you!

[@larrydraper4451]

Great video. I have camping reservations for parts of Utah this year but I'm learning I need much more time as there is so much to see and do. I like your hat, it matches the surrounding colors.

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes, there is so much to see/do!

Great video! Spectacular sights, that I never will be able to visit myself. So Thanks so much!

[@WereintheRockies]

Our pleasure!

[@mysparky2011]

I'm in love with Utah too. Our third visit from Ontario will be this fall 2024. It's nice to get off the beaten path sometimes. Thanks for this!

[@WereintheRockies]

So cool!

[@DutchDangle]

Stay in Canada

[@jacobibanez7554]

You missed something cool at the San Rafael Swell. Between the dino-footprint and the panel you can see where Matt Warner wrote his name on a cliff side near the road. Probably about 30 ft away.

[@WereintheRockies]

It’s crazy, but I looked for it and couldn’t find it!!!

[@jonmulack4226]

Writing on a wall is cool?

[@barnowlwatcher]

@@jonmulack4226Definitely not. You can’t believe how many petroglyphs have been damaged by people who have no respect for history!

[@geraldzimmerman8777]

Last year I went to Jurassic NM, Yes, it's a long way on the dirt road. Also drove Nine Mile Canyon. I like the Fremont figures. Try to go to Sego Canyon. They have 4 great panels including life size Great Gallery figures. I hope the swell stays the way it is. No locking it up into wilderness, what the greenies want. and not turning it into a National Monumnet. Once you do that, more people go, like Bears Ears. The government should have kept it the way it was.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for sharing!

[@martinjdesmond]

This is a wonderful video about sites that have not yet been designated as national parks.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks!

[@natlovell122]

Helper was such a cool little town. Stopped there on our way back from Grand Junction to SLC. Thanks for the cool video.

[@WereintheRockies]

You bet

[@vromonsongi9506]

I lave your video. Mountain are my favorite. I still have a preference to Himalaya but Rocky love it too.

[@Joez86]

Great Stuff

[@shanechostetler9997]

We were just up through that area, it’s stunningly beautiful.

[@WereintheRockies]

It really is!

[@tthh4681]

Wow very nice out there !!!

[@WereintheRockies]

It sure is!

[@rwfetterman2546]

What a stitch! We'll be heading north through Utah and the plan is to Helper and Cleveland. Good dispersed camping in the area in addition to the information you mention in this video. Thanks...

[@WereintheRockies]

Have fun!

[@bikingal4283]

good informative video, and love all the flowers....thanks for showing them... now I have to add this trip to my bucket list.. big wish to travel the west soon with my teardrop camper.. would assume I can't get my td up top those canyon areas.. would love to camp up there...new sub

[@WereintheRockies]

Have fun!

[@wncjan]

I 've visited that area a couple of times and it's great. Love the nature. Btw have you ever made a video about Browns Park/Browns Hole. I tried to visit last summer, but the weather was against us, so instead we just visited Flaming Gorge

[@WereintheRockies]

It’s on my list! Almost rode a four wheeler there a few weeks ago but it didn’t quite work out.

[@WereintheRockies]

I want to make a video about the outlaw trail - browns park, robbers roost, etc.

[@wncjan]

@@WereintheRockies That would be great. My son and I stayed in Green River, but Green River, Wyoming, visiting friends.

[@jonthebru]

So you can imagine a totally different terrain and type of wildlife, as in dinosaurs, back in pre-human times. Also, dinosaurs were alive on Earth much longer than humans have existed here. Great video tour, Utah is all that!

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for watching.

[@beebeesfuntasticadventures6110]

That's interesting.

[@airship9637]

On the hike down to the Grand Gallery in Canyonlands, be sure to carry lots of water and an energy bar or two. It's longer than it looks going down--and twice as long hiking up ! ) Treasure the views and leave only footprints. Beautiful place.

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes!

[@MrA1582000]

Love Edward Abbey

[@Seabeagle10]

My father is from an coal mining town, in utah. Must people never heard of it. Dragonton, utah. His brother lived in Helper, ut as well. My grandfather was an coal miner , in the horse canyon.

[@pvkj454]

I really enjoyed the video. Funny how some people think it is okay for them to go but not others.

[@WereintheRockies]

Right?

[@CDRDDJ]

Ok seriously I feel like you guys are watching me and following me😂😂😂 I just arrived in Utah after being at the Grand Teton/ Yellowstone for a week!

[@WereintheRockies]

Haha!

[@ideapatch]

Grew up in Helper. Different vibe than I remember. 😂

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes a new crowd is kind of envisioning a smaller park city

[@Starfish2145]

Those orange flowers are Globe Mallow

[@barbarafairbanks3981]

We love your videos try visiting us in Duck Creek Village Utah

[@WereintheRockies]

It’s actually on my list!

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Gizzard stones

[@carolnorton2807]

@12:47...and wondering what could have made that huge semicircular scrape mark and BEFORE the pictographs were painted even.

[@WereintheRockies]

🤔

[@reginafox8512]

When you say The "Little Grand Canyon" is about an hour away from the nearest town, what town would that be?

[@WereintheRockies]

Price Utah

[@petergraham8681]

You missed one very interesting area in central Utah which is fine with me since it seems to not & hopefully will not be over run with tourists in the future. Without mentioning it directly all I will say is that it is a state park & was featured in Malick‘s film THE TREE OF LIFE. An off the beaten track & unique locale & all the better for it not being included in the map above.

[@jamesfwilson8546]

Horsehoe canyon is easy to find. Drive to the ranger station and hike up the flat wash(about an hour as I recall). Don't try to go from the top like like this guy.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for sharing.

[@janicetaylor2333]

I'd love to know the whereabouts of the stunning cliffs in the thumbnail. I can't find any mention of them in the film. Just so I can drool over them on google earth. Many thanks. ☺

[@WereintheRockies]

It’s called the San Rafael Reef

[@janicetaylor2333]

Oh thank you so much. I'm in the wet and muddy UK and Utah fascinates me. Hope to be there someday. ❤

[@JamesLIsbell]

😊

[@Husky501]

San Rafael is actually pronounced Ra-fell. Two syllables.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you!

[@TacoSyndicate]

The flood.

[@georgetsokanis3542]

Utah. The land of no guardrails.

[@robertherrmann4823]

I am surprised that there are not piles of vehicles at the bottom of some of those trails that end so suddenly.

[@shirleyrice7093]

Sounds like that lady DID settle down in the desert.

[@AlexRay1]

I'm sure it won't be long before the swell becomes another over crowded national park. RIP serene Utah outback

[@WereintheRockies]

It's so beautiful though. Everyone should get to see it!

[@Raptorman0909]

The San Rafael Swell is pronounced "San Ra-Fell Swell".

[@Raptorman0909]

I posted a video of the area some years ago and called it the San Raf e el Swell and was promptly corrected. There's another townsite called Paria, in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and I referred to it as "Par I ah" but was told the actual pronunciation is "Par E ah".

[@chrismciff7928]

Great video but you are pronouncing the San Rafell Swell incorrectly. It is San Ra Fell just two syllables.

[@Gossamer314]

He did pronounce it correctly.

[@kenmarapese9085]

Like what you doing but 4 minutes in I couldn't take the back ground music anymore.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for your feedback, we appreciate it.

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Mate you lost me at the food shop

[@WereintheRockies]

Sorry about that. Thanks for watching.

[@warrenficher5595]

Stop showing our secrets. Leave the national parks for the crowds.

[@owlbert3963]

Not anymore...

[@santa3756]

Sorry, your camera is not good!

[@mikehenry4743]

It was the best kept secret until you insisted on posting it all over social media.

[@JvyTe]

Grouch

[@vincentb893]

That’s just how it is nowadays, before the internet we had to explore on our own, or read maps. Now the instant gratification/ information makes it easy to trample,take, leave trash in all the “secret gems “. There are some gems left.

[@freeduh5497]

Looks like a lot f brick buildings.

[@mlebaron1]

Stop freaking telling everybody!

[@Alanahvigil]

It was a secret till you needed to make a video

[@ericligotke3542]

Edward abbey actually did way more harm than good through his books. I used to backpack canyonlands in the 70’s and 80’s when Moab had one stoplight. Now, social media will take care of the rest of the secluded areas of Utah. Now these lands are overused, abused, and way overcrowded.

[@renepoggenpoel1711]

I love your videos, but I couldn’t watch this one. The music over your voice was too much to have to block out.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you so much for the feedback! I’ll keep this in mind

[@SULLYtheSojourner]

Noah's flood created the dinosaurs.

[@JP-dz7zu]

Dafaq?

[@time2-fessup]

U tall h...lol giants

[@marshallvanmeter7306]

Too many pictures of you, not the scenery.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for the feedback, and thanks for watching!

[@coskier1969]

Please stop putting these great places on KZbin. It just ruins these places.

[@WereintheRockies]

Sorry you feel that way. We want to share the beauty of the world with everyone. Many people can't travel, yet still want to see beautiful places. Thanks for watching, we appreciate it.

[@FATBIKEskinnylegs]

central utah is sooooo overlooked! now that I am in AZ, and my family is still in the SLC area, I can plot the perfect road trips up north thru this area! my first trip Iwant to take 89 (state street) all the way to the capitol. talk about cruising state!

[@WereintheRockies]

That is awesome! Enjoy the beautiful scenery.

[@chrisfinnegan8370]

I wish you would stop doing this ! Thiers people everywhere out thier ! STOP DOING THIS !

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for the feedback, and thanks for watching.

[@joec1820]

It's a very good video, but the KZbinrs face is so big

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for watching.