Many of you may have seen the vehicles in Moab or read Laura’s article about the Bronco Off-Roadeo Cliffhanger and Arches project vehicles. They were introduced during this year’s Easter Jeep Safari at the Bronco Stampede. Both vehicles were built with arches in mind, even featuring a local landmark called Uranium Arch as a graphic on both vehicles.
We casually mentioned to some of the Ford employees at the Stampede, that getting to Uranium Arch didn’t take very long, maybe 3-4 hours round trip. When the design team realized that it was nearby and could be driven to, it became a priority to get there. So, on a Thursday afternoon, we set off in three vehicles: a Bronco Raptor, a Bronco, and a 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch for a three-hour tour…….a three-hour tour. Luckily, we didn’t get stranded on a desert isle. If you know, you know.
Built to Tackle Moab
We started our route at the M&M trail, aka the Monitor and Merrimack trail, accessed by Mill Canyon Road. Rated as a level 3, its well within the Sport’s capability, although some spotting and good line choices are necessary. The trail offers a mix of slickrock climbs and sandy two-tracks, with a few rutted sections that can test articulation and approach angles. I chose to co-drive in the Sport, allowing Travis Pearce, the Strategy and Transformation Lead for the Bronco Sport to drive. It was his first time driving the Sport in a real off-road situation and he was stoked.
After airing down a few pounds, we decided to place our vehicle between the Raptor and the Bronco, just in case we needed any assistance. Turns out, we had nothing to worry about. The Sport was more than capable. We passed several Jeeps on our way up and got called the “Baby Bronco”. That’s okay, we certainly didn’t see anything other than Wranglers being represented, I guess “Baby Jeeps” stay at the mall.
The trail as outlined, is an out and back but there are many routes up there to explore for the more adventurous. The start of the trail is a long steady climb on slickrock, with small ledges. We used the Rock Crawl Mode during this part of the trail. Once at the top, there is a right hand turn onto a faster sandy section, and Rally Mode was selected. The Bronco Sport’s front-facing camera is fantastic, offering a clear view of the terrain just beyond the hood, which was especially useful when approaching blind ledges or drop-offs hidden by the horizon line. We made use of this feature for most of the small ledges, only getting out to look a couple of times.
I am typically proud of how the Bronco Sport handles off-road, but the ease of which we did this trail, surprised even me. We kept right up with the other Broncos and at the one point we needed a spot, so did the other rigs. We only lightly touched the skid plates once or twice and ended up taking , and holding, the lead to the Arch.
A Hidden Gem: Uranium Arch
After a scenic and rewarding climb, with some Travis Rally speed thrown in for good measure, the final reward comes into view: Uranium Arch. This natural rock arch is less visited than other Moab icons, often offering solitude and sweeping views of the red rock country. We were surprised to have this arch all to ourselves during busy Easter Jeep Safari week, but there was no one around. This gave everyone the chance to get plenty of photos, both at the bottom and top of the arch.
But the arch is more than a pretty rock formation, it’s a piece of Moab’s complex history, which is why it has its name.
The Story Behind the Name
Uranium Arch gets its name from Moab’s uranium boom, a defining era in the town’s modern history. In the early 1950s, Moab became known as the "Uranium Capital of the World" after prospector Charlie Steen, the “Uranium King” struck it rich with the discovery of a massive uranium deposit in nearby Big Indian Wash. The uranium mined from the region fueled the Cold War arms race and powered nuclear energy efforts across the United States.
The surrounding mesas, including the area around Uranium Arch, were explored and staked with claims. You can still see drill holes in the rocks where core samples were taken. While most of those mines have long since closed, their legacy remains etched into the land, from names of landmarks to old mining roads and relics. The arch itself doesn’t contain uranium, but its position on the route taken by prospectors and its proximity to mining sites gave it the name that endures today.
A Great Trail Day
The 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch proved itself once again as a worthy off-road companion. On the trail to Uranium Arch, it blended comfort, control, and capability in a package that's equally at home in the backcountry or on the highway back to town. With the help of driving modes tailored to the terrain and trail tech like the front-facing camera, the Bronco Sport made the journey as fun as the destination. Travis made short work of the trail and hopefully gained even more respect (and more ideas!) for the Bronco Sport.
For Bronco enthusiasts seeking a trail that's off the beaten path but rich in scenery and history, Monitor and Merrimack to Uranium Arch is a must-drive.
Brian and I have used this route for some time for more base Broncos and drivers new to off-roading, so with the success of the Bronco Sport, this can be considered an All Bronco Trail for those who would like to try it when visiting Moab. I have included a GPX view of our day, if you want the file, please request in the comments. There are many trails crisscrossing the mesa and this route avoids some of the larger ledges that the main 7 Mile Rim route offers, especially when near Uranium Arch itself.
Have you been on this trail? Comment below on what you drove and what route you took.
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