The 2-Mile Loop: Scenic Drive ATV Off-road Adventure Near Deer Creek Retreat
- Justin Shannon, Ph.D.
- Feb 14
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
2-Mile Loop Road: Beaver Creek to Warner Lake Adventures
The 2-mile loop road turn off is at the entrance into Old La Sal coming on Highway 46 from the 191 junction. This short scenic drive and ATV Off-road adventure is roughly a "2-mile loop.
The Deer Creek Retreat location gives guests an easy scenic drive that follows historic ranch trails and Beaver Creek all the way up past beautiful Warner Lake, to the Mount Peale trailhead, with a bonus ATV staging area just off Highway 46.
Where It Leads: Beaver/La Sal Creek, Warner Lake & ATV off-road adventures
This short loop starts just east of Old La Sal village, where Highway 46 meets the 2-mile loop road entrance—often mentioned by locals as a quick scenic route on the south side of the La Sal Mountains—starts just past New La Sal village off Highway 46. It’s a simple well-graded gravel circle that connects ranch access roads, small homesteads, and overlooks, offering shifting perspectives on the peaks, forests, and valleys below in under 20 minutes. Right at this junction, you'll find a popular gravel parking area where locals and visitors unload off-road vehicles, ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes. It's flat, spacious, and positioned perfectly for launching into forest service trails.
Where the 2-mile Loop Leads
Starting point: Near the edge of Old La Sal, heading east/south from Highway 46 toward forest service land.
Main features: Passes scattered ranch properties, tree-lined sections with aspen and pine, and pullouts with views toward Mount Peale trailhead and Warner Lake area.
End point: Loops back to the highway near Canopy Gap or County Road 154 junction, close to Two Mile Creek access.
Think low-key exploration: no big climbs, just enough turns to feel like a discovery drive.
Key highlights along the route:
Highway 46/Loop junction parking: Wide gravel lot for trailers—bring your own ATV or rent in Moab for immediate mountain access.
Don’t miss the “quakie” trees in the La Sal Mountains of Utah, which are officially named Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides). They are characterized by their white, chalky bark and leaves that tremble in the breeze. In the fall, they turn a brilliant gold, often creating dense, clonal stands.
Beaver/Lasal Creek crossings: Crystal-clear water flowing through aspen groves—perfect photo stops where kids can splash or spot trout.
Warner Lake: Stunning alpine lake (15–20 minutes from Deer Creek) with picnic tables, fishing, and glassy reflections of Mount Peale and Mount Tukuhnikivatz.
Mount Peale trailhead access: Road continues past Warner Lake as Forest Road 124/154, climbing 7–8 miles to La Sal Pass—starting point for Utah's second-highest peak (12,721 ft).
History: Ranching, Water & Recreation
Old La Sal boomed as a cattle town in the early 1900s, and short loops like this one grew up to move herds between grazing pastures, water sources, and the main valley floor. Locals depended on Beaver/La Sal Creek, and this road follows the exact route ranchers used to move herds from valley pastures up to high-country grazing near Warner Lake. It’s practical ranch infrastructure—nothing fancy, but essential for families working the La Sal foothills when Moab was still a distant supply hub. Today, it doubles as a quiet alternative to busier scenic routes.
Perfect First Drive from Deer Creek Retreat
From your cabin or tiny home, you're 5–10 minutes to the loop entrance:
ATV morning: Unload at the Highway 46 parking, ride La Sal trails, back by lunch.
Family scenic drive: Creek spotting, Warner Lake picnic—muddy boots and big smiles.
Hiker launch: Park at La Sal Pass for Mount Peale (5–7-mile round-trip), then return for skylight stargazing from the main cabin or the tiny home’s front seating area.
Weather-proof: Cooler mountain air when Moab hits 100°F; handles light rain.
Run the Road: We’ve even seen some take advantage of the rugged terrain and steep mountain roads to train for high elevation trail runs.
On rainy days or when national parks feel too far, this scenic route is the ideal way to stretch your legs, breathe clean air, and see how ranching history shaped the land around your cabin. Pair it with coffee from the main cabin or tiny home kitchen, and you’ve got a perfect half‑hour of still quiet “La Sal life.”
Pro tips:
High-clearance recommended beyond Beaver/La Sal Creak toward the trailhead, the creek does not have a bridge, but the unimproved road to the lake works for any vehicle.
Bring water shoes for creek play, a fishing pole for Warner Lake trout, and helmets/trail maps if riding ATVs.
Check San Juan County rules for OHV trail access—staging areas are public, but some trails require permits.
This 2-mile loop along Beaver/La Sal Creek—from ATV parking to Warner Lake—gives you authentic La Sal Mountain life in one easy morning from Deer Creek Retreat’s main cabin and the tiny home.
Come out and experience the trails, land, the wild life, and connect with nature. The Deer Creek Retreat is the gate way to adventure, come stay with a night or a few!
Cheers!
Justin
Comments