Fisher Towers: Hiking Moab's Skyline of Stone
Half an hour up the river road from Moab, the Fisher Towers Trail winds beneath 900 foot mud draped spires that look borrowed from another planet — then the Colorado River below offers rafting and paddleboarding to finish the day.
The strangest skyline in the Moab desert
Fisher Towers doesn't look like the rest of Moab. Instead of clean orange slickrock, these spires are carved from dark Cutler sandstone and draped in curtains of hardened mud, so the whole formation seems to be melting in slow motion. The Titan — the tallest of the group at roughly 900 feet — ranks among the biggest free standing rock towers in the country, and the corkscrew summit of Ancient Art draws climbers from around the world. If the backdrop feels familiar, that's because film crews have been shooting westerns and car commercials in Professor Valley for decades.
The trail itself is a moderate 4.5 mile round trip that rolls in and out of gullies along the base of the towers, ending on a ridge with a huge view over Onion Creek and the Colorado River corridor. Because it's BLM land, there's no fee, no reservation, and leashed dogs are welcome — same friendly rules as our other favorite free hike, the Corona Arch Trail.
And here's the part most visitors miss: the scenery you hike above in the morning is the same scenery you can float through in the afternoon. The calm Colorado River stretch below the towers is Moab's classic half day rafting and paddleboarding water, which makes Fisher Towers the anchor of the best land and water combo day in the area.
Local Tip The drive out on Highway 128 is one of the best scenic roads in Utah — the pavement hugs the Colorado River between sheer red walls the entire way. Fill your tank and your water bottles in town; there are no services on the river road.
The Fisher Towers Trail, section by section
-
Start beneath the spires
From UT-128 at mile marker 21, a graded 2 mile dirt road (fine for passenger cars when dry) leads to the trailhead beside a small BLM campground. Vault toilet, no water. The towers loom overhead from the first step, so the views start immediately.
-
Down the rungs and onward
Early on, the trail drops into a slot like gully via a short metal ladder — the one "obstacle" of the hike, and kids' favorite part. From there the path rolls steadily along the base of the formation, dipping through drainages between each tower.
-
Look up for climbers
You'll pass directly beneath Ancient Art, the twisted spire with the famous corkscrew summit — scan the top for climbers inching along the final ridge. Further on, The Titan fills the sky. The scale is disorienting; the mud curtain textures look close enough to touch and are hundreds of feet away.
-
The payoff view
The trail climbs to a ridgeline behind the towers and simply ends at a natural viewpoint: the back side of the spires on one hand, and the sweep of Onion Creek, Professor Valley, and the distant La Sal Mountains on the other. Linger, then return the way you came — the towers look completely different heading back with the light reversed.
Finish your Fisher Towers day on the water
The half day rafting stretch of the Colorado runs right below the towers — splashy, family friendly rapids with the spires as your backdrop. Prefer quiet water? Rent a paddleboard and drift the calm sections at your own pace.
Best time to hike Fisher Towers
The trail is open year round with no fees, so plan around heat and light:
| Season | Conditions | The Honest Take |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 60s–80s°F, green valley floor | Prime hiking, and the river runs high and lively for rafting season's start. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 95–105°F+ afternoons | Hike at dawn, then spend the hot hours on the water below — the perfect split. |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | 70s–80s°F, calm river | Best combo window: warm hiking, glassy water for paddleboarding, thin crowds. |
| Winter (Nov–Feb) | 30s–50s°F, possible snow dusting | Snow on red towers is unforgettable. Trail gullies get icy — bring traction. |
Local Tip Fisher Towers faces west, and the last hour before sunset turns the mud curtains a red so deep it looks lit from inside. Photographers: shoot the golden hour here, not at the crowded park overlooks — you'll often have the trail nearly to yourself on a weekday evening.
What to bring on this hike
At 4.5 miles, Fisher Towers is the longest of Moab's classic short hikes, and the rolling gullies add up. There's no water and almost no shade, so pack accordingly:
- 2 liters of water per person in warm months
- Sturdy shoes — the gullies are rocky and rutted
- Sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Salty snacks for the overlook ridge
- Headlamp if chasing the sunset glow
- Leash and extra water for the dog
Avoid the trail during and right after heavy rain: the clay based soil turns to peanut butter mud, and the gullies can briefly run with flash flood water. Cell service out here is minimal, so download offline maps in town.
Make It a Weekend The five site BLM campground at the trailhead is first come, first served and one of the most scenic places to wake up in Utah. Miss out? More campgrounds line the river along Highway 128 — see our Moab campgrounds guide.
Add a guided park day to your Moab lineup
Fisher Towers is the wild, free flowing side of Moab. For the big name landmarks, let a local guide handle the driving and the stories on a full tour of Arches or Canyonlands.
Pair Fisher Towers with these nearby adventures
Corona Arch Trail
Moab's other great BLM hike — 2.4 miles to a 140 foot arch with a ladder, safety cables, and no entry fee. Do the towers one day and the arch the next.
Hike the Corona Arch Trail Read our trail guide →Dead Horse Point State Park
The Colorado you floated beneath the towers bends into its most dramatic gooseneck here — seen from a rim 2,000 feet above the water.
Dead Horse Point Tours Read our park guide →Delicate Arch
Utah's most famous hike is 40 minutes from the Fisher Towers trailhead — 3 miles of slickrock to the arch on the license plate.
Delicate Arch Trail GuidePlanning more miles? Browse the full Moab hiking hub, book a permit hike through the Fiery Furnace, or hand the logistics to our Moab vacation planner for a day by day itinerary.
Fisher Towers hiking FAQ
How hard is the Fisher Towers Trail?
Moderate: 4.5 miles round trip with about 650 feet of cumulative elevation gain spread across rolling gullies rather than one big climb. One short metal ladder near the start is the only obstacle. Most hikers finish in 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
How do I get to the Fisher Towers trailhead?
Drive Highway 128 (the scenic river road) about 21 miles northeast of Moab, then turn right at the signed Fisher Towers junction near mile marker 21 and follow a graded 2 mile dirt road to the trailhead. Passenger cars handle it fine in dry conditions; check conditions after storms.
Is there a fee or reservation for Fisher Towers?
No. Fisher Towers sits on BLM public land, so hiking is free with no reservation, no gate, and no timed entry. The small campground at the trailhead is first come, first served with a modest per night fee.
Are dogs allowed at Fisher Towers?
Yes, on leash — it's one of the best dog friendly hikes near Moab since the national parks keep dogs off their trails. Bring plenty of water for your dog and skip midday hikes in summer heat.
Can you raft or paddleboard near Fisher Towers?
Yes — the classic half day stretch of the Colorado River runs directly below the towers through Professor Valley, with splashy family friendly rapids for rafting and calm sections perfect for stand up paddleboarding. Many visitors hike the towers in the morning and float the river in the afternoon.
When is the best light for photos at Fisher Towers?
The last hour before sunset. The towers face west, and low evening light turns the mud draped spires a deep glowing red. Bring a headlamp for the walk back to the trailhead after the show.
Build your Fisher Towers day
Hike the towers at dawn, float the river by noon, catch the glow at sunset — or hand it all to a guide.