Utah is home to some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes we’ve ever seen, and we’re not just biased because Carson’s from there. Snowcapped mountains, lakes, salt flats and deserts. It’s just so varied! One of these incredible landscapes is the Moab Potash Ponds Utah.
It may not be a natural phenomenon, but that doesn’t make the Potash Ponds Utah any less spectacular. They’re best appreciated from above so we just had to get out there with the drone and capture this vibrant view. We were not disappointed.
WHERE ARE THE MOAB POTASH PONDS UTAH
The Potash Ponds Utah are as middle of nowhere as it gets, but they’re worth the drive. If you’re not familiar with Utah, Moab is around a 4-hour drive from Salt Lake City, so it’s not exactly a day trip to the Potash Ponds. What we did was spend a few nights camping in Moab and day tripped from our campsite out to the ponds.
You’ll want a 4WD to get out to the Potash Ponds Utah. Our Golf was not gonna cut it so we took Carson’s Mum’s SUV. Even that was a little hairy in some places, so the bigger the better. If you’re tossing up whether or not it’s worth the hassle to get to the Potash Ponds Utah, we definitely think so! It’s one of the best things to do in Moab, after all! The beauty of the Potash Ponds is that they’re on Google Maps, so it’s as easy as following your GPS.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE MOAB POTASH PONDS UTAH
Prepare for your trip to the Moab Potash Ponds Utah with our must-have travel essentials.
Light jacket: Columbia Men’s Watertight Jacket (click for price), Columbia Women’s Waterproof Jacket (click for price)
Insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle (click for price)
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro (click for price)
To see our complete camera gear read this post here.
MORE UTAH TRAVEL GUIDES
Pink Lake Utah
Spiral Jetty at the Pink Salt Lake
Antelope Island State Park
Fifth Water Hot Springs
Meadow Hot Springs
WHEN TO VISIT THE UTAH POTASH PONDS IN MOAB
We visited the Moab Potash Ponds Utah around mid-May so they were unfortunately not as vibrant as we’ve seen in other photos. Sometimes they’re an incredible cobalt blue, but we got a pastel palette of light blues, greens and yellows. It was still really cool, but if you’re after the crazy blue water you’ll want to go in summer… that is if you can stand the Moab Desert heat.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE POTASH PONDS
Like we mentioned earlier, there’s nothing natural about the Moab Potash Ponds Utah. Their rainbow hues come from the dye that is put in the water to speed up the evaporation process, eventually becoming Potassium Chloride. The pools start off vibrant blue and eventually change colours, indicating different stages of evaporation.
The Moab Potash Ponds Utah would be incredible in any setting, but they’re especially amazing in Moab against the backdrop of the red desert landscape. It really is one of the most unique, beautiful spots we’ve ever been to throughout our travels.
STOP BY ELVIS ROCK
On the way to the Potash Ponds Utah we stopped by Elvis Rock, not to be confused with Elvis Hammer. Both are rock formations, but Elvis Rock is far less famous and honestly a lot less impressive. Nonetheless, still a worthy spot to stop and take a few photos.
DINOSAUR TRACKS & PETROGLYPHS
We also passed the dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs. For archaeology and ancient history buffs, you’ll definitely want to pull over on your way to or from the Potash Ponds to check out this site.
Read our other Utah travel guides for more epic things to do:
- Antelope Island State Park
- Pink Lake Railway
- Pink Lake Spiral Jetty
- Meadow Hot Springs
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Potash Ponds in Moab
- Fifth Water Hot Springs (Diamond Fork)
- Bryce Canyon Hike (Navajo Loop Trail)
PIN IT FOR LATER
WHERE TO STAY IN SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
There’s no shortage of accommodation in Salt Lake City, but having all those options can be a little overwhelming when it comes to choosing the best place to stay. We’ve chosen our top picks for budget, midscale and luxury hotels in Salt Lake City to make things easier for you.
BUDGET: SLC HOSTEL
SLC Hostel is located in the heart of downtown SLC and our top pick for budget stays. With deluxe bathrooms in common areas, radiant heated floors and modern technology, it’s the best option for budget backpackers and digital nomads not looking to break the bank.
MIDSCALE: LITTLE AMERICA HOTEL
Little in name but not in stature, Little America Hotel is the largest hotel in Salt Lake City with 850 rooms and a history dating back 60 years. It’s a little up there on the midscale ranking but still offers affordable prices with very well maintained facilities.
LUXURY: GRAND AMERICA HOTEL
If you fancy the finer things in life and don’t mind splashing some cash, Grand America Hotel is the pinnacle of five star accommodation in Salt Lake City. Everything here is, well… grand. The pool, gardens, restaurants and rooms all live up to their name.
