Rising Water Closes Moab Creek Trails and Low Water Crossings
Heavy October rain closed Moab's creekside trails and three county low water crossings, and officials warned backcountry travelers not to drive into running washes or water covered roads.
October 2026 was a wet one in Moab. The Moab Times Independent reports the city closed trails along Mill Creek Parkway and Pack Creek on October 14 because of rising creek levels, and Grand County closed three low water crossings at Stocks Drive, Kerby Lane and Old City Park.
What officials said
- The sheriff's office reported road washouts and water running across roads, and warned creek levels can rise quickly with little warning
- Emergency Management warned floodwater can hide road damage and may be deeper than it looks, and said to use another route when water covers a road
- Officials urged backcountry travelers to watch the weather and avoid driving into running washes or across water covered roads
- A city safety reminder also urged caution at the Sunny Acres low water crossing, in the Book Cliffs and around Floy Wash
By October 15, most creekside trails had reopened except a section of Mill Creek Parkway below the Main Street bridge that still needed mud and debris cleared.
Our take
Running water in the desert is the one thing we never mess with. If a wash is flowing, we wait it out or turn around, every time. Wet clay roads and slickrock get slick fast too, which is why weather is part of every trip plan we make.
