Easy and quick trail in Moab

[Costa]

Hi, Me and my wife are leaving on an 8-day trip this Friday from SF Bay Area, the plan is to hit some hot springs on the eastern Sierra's, Death Valley, Vegas, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend and back home. We just found out our relatives from Illinois will be visiting the western part of Colorado that same time so we are considering adding a couple of nights in Colorado after Antelope Canyon which means we'll be passing Moab which I always wanted to visit. We are not going to have much time as we will leave Antelope Canyon around 10am so we'll reach Moab afternoon and still have a 3-hour drive after Moab.
We are driving our 2019 Subaru Forester (with recovery gear, full-size spare..).

I'd like to spend up to 3, maybe 4 hours.
So far I looked at Gemini Bridges and Shafer Canyon road, or at least one of them if both are too long.

We are pretty flexible and can spend the night in Moab but from what I understand primitive camping is limited and since it's going to be the day before 4th of July, finding a campsite might be an issue.

Any other comments or tips are welcome.

 

[A-Aron]

Check out Willow Springs for dispersed camping, lots of space, it'll be busy but you should be able to find a spot for a night just for your rig. Also, you can explore into Arches NP via the willow springs rd as far as your comfortable, I've seen Subarus go quite a way in, there are some great sights and some dinosaur tracks not to far in. Might be right up your alley. Also, you can explore up to Hurrah Pass and back in pretty close to 4 hours as well, your subaru should be fine to that point.. it does get a little more technical in some areas past Hurrah Pass. Check them out.. I have some info on the Downloadable routes portion of the Forum about the area.

 

[Costa]

Thanks, it does look like what we are looking for, from what I see the Eye of the whale trail is probably too much for our Forester, correct?
I'm looking at the option of spending the night in Willow Springs and next morning continue to Archers NP, and taking Salt Valley Rd north back to civilization, is that a good plan?

Thanks.

 

[A-Aron]

Thanks, it does look like what we are looking for, from what I see the Eye of the whale trail is probably too much for our Forester, correct?
I'm looking at the option of spending the night in Willow Springs and next morning continue to Archers NP, and taking Salt Valley Rd north back to civilization, is that a good plan?

Thanks.

Yeah, Eye of the Whale is too much for my stock F-150, but the Salt Valley rd should be great, even a couple spots heading into Arches from Willow Springs will challenge you, but you should be fine with careful driving. Look forward to the trip report.. also, there are spots along the road into Willow Springs, but there is a very large dispersed camping area where the road loops around and there is a Pit toilet as well. Good luck!

 

[A-Aron]

Thanks, it does look like what we are looking for, from what I see the Eye of the whale trail is probably too much for our Forester, correct?
I'm looking at the option of spending the night in Willow Springs and next morning continue to Archers NP, and taking Salt Valley Rd north back to civilization, is that a good plan?

Thanks.

Also.. the Salt Wash/Salt valley road is very washboard in many areas .. plan to drive slow.. or air down and drive really fast..