🏜️ The Wedge & Furniture Draw: Utah’s Little Grand Canyon Adventure 🌄

Switching Gears RV Diary
Jan 31, 2024
5 min read

January 31, 2024

Family-Friendly Camping, Slot Canyons & Sunrise Views in the San Rafael Swell

If you’re looking for breathtaking canyon views, peaceful boondocking spots, and an easy slot canyon hike the kids will love—all without the crowds of Utah’s national parks—you need to visit The Wedge Overlook and Furniture Draw in the San Rafael Swell. Known as Utah’s “Little Grand Canyon,” this lesser-known region offers jaw-dropping scenery and incredible camping right on the canyon rim.

We returned to this wild and rugged part of Utah for a few days of trail exploring, relaxing sunrises, and discovering a hidden gem of a slot canyon. This blog will guide you through our adventure and help you plan your own unforgettable stay in one of the West’s best-kept secrets.

📍 Where Is the San Rafael Swell?

The San Rafael Swell is a massive geological uplift in central Utah, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It’s located between the towns of Green River and Castle Dale, and while it’s remote, it’s accessible by vehicle—no 4WD required for the main roads to The Wedge.

This area features:

Towering cliffs and rugged badlands
Slot canyons and arches
World-class dispersed camping
Almost zero cell service—perfect for unplugging 😌

We entered from Green River, UT, about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the Wedge Overlook.

🚐 Camping at The Wedge – Boondocking With a View 🌄

(1:21 in the video)

We found an absolutely spectacular dispersed camping spot right at The Wedge Overlook. Imagine opening your RV or camper door and looking straight out over a 1,000-foot drop into a vast, colorful canyon that stretches for miles.

Here’s why we loved camping at The Wedge:✅ Free BLM camping (no reservations required)✅ Vault toilets nearby✅ Multiple flat spots for tents, vans, and trailers✅ Unobstructed canyon views—sunsets and sunrises were unreal

💡 Camping Tip:Arrive early in the day, especially on weekends, as the best rim-side spots go fast. There are dozens of campsites, but only a handful sit directly on the canyon edge.

🥾 Hiking the Rim Trail at The Wedge 🌅

(2:00 – 4:25 in the video)

There’s a relatively easy, family-friendly trail that runs along the rim of the canyon. You can also drive it. We took our side by side along the trail. It’s the perfect way to experience the canyon’s grandeur without a strenuous hike.

🎯 Highlights of the Wedge Rim Trail:

Safe and wide walking paths
Views of the San Rafael River 1,000 feet below
Excellent for sunrise or sunset hikes
Great spots for photography and wildlife viewing

We did a sunrise hike and watched the canyon light up in layers of gold, orange, and red. Total peace. No crowds. Just the sounds of nature and the slow rising of light across Utah’s untamed desert.

📷 The Overlook – Utah’s Little Grand Canyon (4:25)

Standing at the Wedge Overlook feels like stumbling upon a secret national park. The layered cliffs and meandering San Rafael River resemble a miniature version of the Grand Canyon—and you might just have the entire view to yourself.

Bring a chair, your camera, and a warm drink, and just soak it all in.

Pro Tip:At night, this area offers some of the best stargazing in Utah. The dark skies of the Swell mean incredible Milky Way views if you're visiting in spring or summer.

🧗‍♀️ Exploring Furniture Draw Slot Canyon 🏞️

(5:14 in the video)

One of the highlights of our trip was the discovery of Furniture Draw Slot Canyon, just a short drive from the Wedge. This beginner-friendly slot canyon is:

Easy to access by dirt road (passable by most vehicles)
A quick, fun hike with minimal scrambling
Narrow and photogenic without being claustrophobic
Ideal for kids and first-timers

Unlike places like Little Wild Horse or Buckskin Gulch, this slot canyon is off the radar. We had the entire place to ourselves, and the adventure felt just wild enough without being dangerous.

🗺️ How to Get There:

From the Wedge Overlook, head east and then south toward the East Wedge Recreation Area.
The pull-off for the trailhead is marked with a small sign, but, so be sure to have offline maps or GPS loaded before you go.

🚴‍♂️ East Wedge Trails & Scenic Driving (7:48)

The East Wedge area offers additional trails for hiking and mountain biking. You’ll find more overlooks, rock formations, and scenic pullouts with 360° views of the desert landscape.

This region is a paradise for:

Mountain bikers
Overlanders
Drone enthusiasts
Anyone seeking solitude in the high desert

We drove the rim, explored offshoot roads, and ended the day with another peaceful sunset from a new perspective.

🧳 What to Bring for Your Trip

Essentials for Comfort, Safety & Fun

Because the San Rafael Swell is remote and lacks amenities beyond vault toilets, you'll need to be well-prepared.

🧭 Packing List:

Plenty of water (at least 1 gallon per person/day) 💧
Food, snacks, and a portable stove 🍲
Trash bags (pack it in, pack it out) 🗑️
Offline maps or GPS navigation 🗺️
Layers and jackets—evenings can be cold 🧥
Camp chairs and binoculars for wildlife 🦅
A camera—you’ll want to capture everything 📸

🚫 No cell service: Plan ahead, tell someone your route, and download maps beforehand.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit The Wedge & Furniture Draw

The San Rafael Swell can be hot in summer and cold in winter, so your best bet is:

🍂 Fall (September–October): Perfect temps, colorful desert vegetation🌼 Spring (April–May): Wildflowers, moderate weather🌞 Summer: Beautiful but hot—best for early morning or evening hikes❄️ Winter: Solitude, but snow may limit access to dirt roads

Avoid visiting during heavy rain, as slot canyons can flood quickly.

🗣️ Final Thoughts: The Wedge Is a Hidden Utah Treasure 💛

The Wedge and Furniture Draw offered us everything we love about travel: incredible views, remote wilderness, unique geology, and a peaceful connection to nature—all without entrance fees, crowds, or tight campground reservations.

Whether you’re a seasoned boondocker or a family looking for a safe, scenic place to unplug, The Wedge Overlook and San Rafael Swell will exceed your expectations.

💬 Have You Been to the San Rafael Swell?

Tell us your favorite spots, slot canyons, or campsites in the comments below! If you're planning a trip and have questions, we’re happy to help share more info from our route.

📌 Save this blog for your next Utah road trip and share it with fellow adventurers! Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring. 🌍✨