Looking to avoid photographers

[Laura]

I'm about to head to Moab for a few of days of photography for me, mountain biking for Stan. I just found out I'll be there at the same time as the last Moab symposium, which means the place will be crawling with photographers. Any suggestions for places to explore/shoot that aren't photography magnets? I am ruling out Marlboro Point, wouldn't be caught dead at Mesa Arch anyway, and probably Green River Overlook. I may explore the Wilhite trail and the Lathrop Trail at sunrise. Any other suggestions? These are all Island in the Sky locations just because I love it there, but I'm open to anything. Thanks!

 

[Noun Sequitur]

Anticline overlook and needles overlook both have spectacular views of the same canyon systems thar you see from dead horse, grand view etc. Anticline is about an hour and a half drive from Moab and I think gets far less visitation (or at least used to). Needles overlook is off the same road. It is west facing so might be a good sunset spot.

 

[ramblinman]

The Needles Overlook is indeed a fine spot to enjoy a sunset, but you may run into others there.

 

[gnwatts]

Robbers Roost. Ask @Nick for directions. I had such a good time I don't remember where it is.

 

[slc_dan]

Just walk any trail!

 

[SKLund]

I'm about to head to Moab for a few of days of photography for me, mountain biking for Stan. I just found out I'll be there at the same time as the last Moab symposium, which means the place will be crawling with photographers. Any suggestions for places to explore/shoot that aren't photography magnets? I am ruling out Marlboro Point, wouldn't be caught dead at Mesa Arch anyway, and probably Green River Overlook. I may explore the Wilhite trail and the Lathrop Trail at sunrise. Any other suggestions? These are all Island in the Sky locations just because I love it there, but I'm open to anything. Thanks!

I just passed through Moab yesterday and it was an absolute madhouse. I never seen it so crowded. Gas stations out of gas (some of them), long lines at the pumps, and wall to wall traffic! I am guessing the parks are the same but I am also guessing that Canyon Rims is far less crowded. Any established camping in Canyon Rims is likely to be full and I am happy to be wrong but don't think I am.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I just passed through Moab yesterday and it was an absolute madhouse. I never seen it so crowded. Gas stations out of gas (some of them), long lines at the pumps, and wall to wall traffic! I am guessing the parks are the same but I am also guessing that Canyon Rims is far less crowded. Any established camping in Canyon Rims is likely to be full and I am happy to be wrong but don't think I am.

That's because it was the annual Car Show Weekend....that is the absolute busiest weekend in Moab of the year...especially in town (It's worse than during EJS). I'm I remember my first time in Moab during the car show weekend about 10 years ago and it was even very busy then with gas stations running out of gas....after that I made sure to avoid Moab on that weekend...even just driving through is bad.

Typically the Car Show is the last weekend in April.

 

[andyjaggy]

Just go up any trail for a few miles and you will weed out 98% of the photographers. Most people are car/road side photographers these days. Anything more than a mile and they won't bother.

 

[SKLund]

That's because it was the annual Car Show Weekend....that is the absolute busiest weekend in Moab of the year...especially in town (It's worse than during EJS). I'm I remember my first time in Moab during the car show weekend about 10 years ago and it was even very busy then with gas stations running out of gas....after that I made sure to avoid Moab on that weekend...even just driving through is bad.

Typically the Car Show is the last weekend in April.

Thanks that means I can still go there. Can't stay away from Gearheads!

 

[b.stark]

Was in Moab this past weekend also (wondered why most of the cars were way cooler than my stock Tacoma) and I have to say that the Needles is still probably my favorite portion of Canyonlands. Hike up into the canyons a bit and up onto slickrock benches, then contour off trail a bit. You'll have some fantastic photo subjects to yourself.

 

[Laura]

Was in Moab this past weekend also (wondered why most of the cars were way cooler than my stock Tacoma) and I have to say that the Needles is still probably my favorite portion of Canyonlands. Hike up into the canyons a bit and up onto slickrock benches, then contour off trail a bit. You'll have some fantastic photo subjects to yourself.

I really need to explore there some more. I like Island in the Sky because I love the feeling of being up with the birds, but there is so much to check out. You could spend a lifetime there and not see it all.