San Rafael Reef Wilderness
The San Rafael Reef Wilderness makes up the eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell and is a nearly north-south trending hogback that dips steeply eastward. Considered a major geologic feature in Utah, the area consists of domes, vertical fins and canyons from 200 to 1,000 feet deep that drain eastward. Elevations range from 4,800 feet along the eastern base of the Reef to 6,600 feet in the central and northern portions. Vegetation consists primarily of pinyon-juniper woodlands and is barren rock in most places. Desert bighorn sheep, cougars, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and golden eagles all frequent the Wilderness.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | Utah |
| Size | 60,442 acres |
| Designated | 2019, by Congress |
| Center point | 38.80° N, 110.54° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 32) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
None of the 4 federal campgrounds within ten miles sit inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 14.8 miGreen River Presbyterian Church ↗Green River, UT
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Utah
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is San Rafael Reef Wilderness?
60,442 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages San Rafael Reef Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is San Rafael Reef Wilderness in?
Utah.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was San Rafael Reef Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 2019.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at San Rafael Reef Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to San Rafael Reef Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 38.798° N, 110.541° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Are there historic places near San Rafael Reef Wilderness?
The National Register has 1 listing within 15 miles, including Green River Presbyterian Church.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.