The San Rafael Swell is a large geologic feature located in south-central Utah, about 30 miles west of Green River, Utah. The San Rafael Swell, approximately 75 miles by 40 miles, consists of a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone that was pushed up millions of years ago. Since that time, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into numerous valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas and buttes. The San Rafael Swell was formed when deeply buried Precambrian rocks faulted or broke, during the Laramide orogeny, about 60 million years ago. These "basement" rocks below the present-day Swell moved upwards relative to the surrounding areas and caused the overlying sedimentary rocks to fold into a dome-like shape called an anticline.
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Directions: Heading west on Utah's I-70, San Rafael Swell scenic drive takes you about 40 miles from start to finish with 7-8 scenic overlooks on both sides. Best time to photograph: Sunrise or Sunset.
