Crescent Junction photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Crescent Junction (or Brendel) is a small unincorporated community located at 4,882' on I-70 at exit 182 named for the crescent-shaped formation of the Book Cliffs in the area. Most highway maps use the name Crescent Junction, as the name given to the junction of Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 191. Most railroad maps use the name Brendel, the name of the rail siding and junction at the same location.  The town came to be when the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad constructed its main line through Eastern Utah in 1883.   Over time two buildings were constructed, a gas station and restaurant.  There are several small patches of trees surrounded completely by arid desert and shrubsteppe.  The trees act as a mini-migrant trap, while the open habitat surrounding is similar throughout the area.  The rest stop to the west on the south side of the interstate is only accessible to east bound traffic and sits on a bluff overlooking the junction.  The habitat here is dry desert and is mostly used as a bathroom stop for tourists using the interstate.

Birding:
Between the two locations making up this "hot spot" over 20 species have been observed.  Year round COMMON RAVEN, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, and HORNED LARK may be encountered in the open desert.  At the junction starlings, House Sparrows, and House Finches are a common sight.  During the summer LARK SPARROW, SAY'S PHOEBE, WESTERN KINGBIRD, and SWAINSON'S HAWK might be seen.  During migration in the spring and the fall various passerine species could be encountered at the tiny patches of trees at the junction.  WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, and LESSER GOLDFINCH have all been observed.  Most birders skip over a stop here, if heading to Moab and parts south.  If you happen to be on your way to or from the southeast, a quick stop to check the trees might turn up something interesting in the spring or fall.

Directions:
From I-70 Exit 164 in Green River head east on I-170 for 16.3 miles.  Here you can take the off ramp to the rest area on the bluffs to the south. If you stay on I-70 and continue another .9 miles take Exit 182, then turn left at the bottom of the off ramp.  Crescent Junction is on the north side of the interstate here.

Horse Canyon Rest Stop photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
This rest stop serves mostly recreational traffic accessing the San Rafael Swell and the nearby Book Cliffs.  The facilities include restrooms, trash receptacles, a picnic area, and parking for 11 cars and 3 RV's.  There is also an on-site maintenance personal/attendant.  The area is usually crawling with people that are stopped to use the facilities on their way between Price and Green River.  The juniper is very sparse, but can be birded early in the day when there aren't a lot of visitors.

Birding:
JUNIPER TITMOUSE is a year round resident, while BREWER'S SPARROW and LAZULI BUNTING might be present in the summer.  COMMON RAVEN, BREWER'S BLACKBIRD, and BARN SWALLOW have all been reported, and just about any of the species associated with the surrounding desert and juniper woodlands might show up here. You can easily park in one of the stalls and walk the perimeter in 10-15 minutes.  You can also drive further east on Horse Canyon Road for a few minutes, for better habitat and no people!

Directions:
From the on ramp at Exit 243 on US-191/6 in Price head south on US-191 for 24.4 miles till you reach a turn on your left for Horse Canyon Road.  Turn here and the rest stop will be on your left (north side of the road).

Southbound Rest Stop from Google Street View

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Description:
Lunt Park is the name of the rest stop on I-15 at mile marker 88 between Beaver and Paragonah.  There are both north and south bound stops.  The north bound stop on the east side of the highway is predominantly open grass with just a handful of trees, mostly on the south end.  The southbound stop on the west side of the highway has a similar amount of grass, but has at least 8 very large trees creating a migrant trap in the desert.  The surrounding areas are mostly degraded grassland, some farm land, and shrubsteppe.  Like most rest facilities bathrooms are present, and during the tourist season these stops can be quite busy.

Birding:
There is just one checklist from here, at the moment--I know I have stopped here several times in the past and had birds.  If you are headed to St. George, I think it might be worth checking the southbound side.  The northbound side doesn't look as good so it may not be worth your time coming back.  In the summer WESTERN KINGBIRD are often seen here.  LARK SPARROW, BREWER'S SPARROW, and SAGEBRUSH SPARROW use the nearby shrubsteppe habitat, while SAGE THRASHER and HORNED LARK are also found.  In the winter raptors can occasionally be seen here, some times perched in the trees. BALD EAGLE, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, FERRUGINOUS HAWK, and PRAIRIE FALCON are all possible.

Directions:
If you are traveling out of Beaver, from exit 109 southbound it will be about 20  miles till you reach the pull out to the rest stop on your right. Alternatively if you are headed north from Paragonah at I-15 exit 82 it will be about 4.7 miles till you reach the pull off on your right to the north bound rest stop.

Hole N" The Rock from Google Street View

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Description:
Driving south out of Moab it's not long before you find yourself at the Hole N" The Rock shop and rest stop on the side of Hwy 191. This historic 5,000 square foot home which began taking shape almost a century ago by the Christensen family as a small alcove for the young Christensen boys to sleep in at night grew into a man-made engineering marvel 20 years in the making.  You can actually take a tour for $6 if you care too.  Birding wise this isn't where the best birding in the area takes place--if you are here for birds there are two locations to check.  First is the Kane Springs Picnic Area just to the north on the east side of the highway.  This is a popular stop for truckers, day trippers, and folks just looking for a break form the hot desert.  Hug cottonwoods make a great riparian habitat here--birding wise it can be very productive early in the morning.  From May through October it is often busy with mid day tourists breaking.  The other location and the one I like to bird is on the est side of the highway directly across from the picnic area.  A large gravel pullout here with a tiny dirt road leads into the wash.  From here you can hike down stream several miles in lush riparian habitat and usually with the place to yourself.  The small creek helps cool things a little bit, and the habitat is really great.

Birding:
Although it is taking some warming up to, birders are starting to stop here between Moab and parts further south.  Most don't take advantage of the great birding west of the road, and just stop at the picnic area.  This is a mistake.  If you are passing through between April and September, its worth taking some time here to bird along the creek.  The first time I stopped here I immediately headed to the creek and the sound of LUCY'S WARBLERS singing like crazy.  This led to great looks at PLUMBEOUS VIREOS, BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, and BLUE GROSBEAKS. WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE and ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER are both common here and can usually be heard calling. Overhead WHITE-THROATED SWIFT and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW flutter about.  BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, LAZULI BUNTING, and LESSER GOLDFINCH are also usually seen.  Looking back at notes I can't seem to find my report, but in 2007 I know I had a SUMMER TANAGER here as well.  I also had one just a few miles away at Newspaper Rock.  I also recall having BLACK PHOEBE here but my checklist doesn't seem to show it.  Regardless, this tiny riparian strip is a very productive and under-birded site worth checking out.

Directions:
From the intersection of Center Street and Main Street/Hwy 191 in Moab Head south along the highway for 15.2 miles.  Here the pullout to the gravel area leading to the riparian habitat is on you right.  About 100 feet south on the left side of the road is the turn into the picnic area. Another .25 miles south on your left is the Hole N" The Rock.

Hog Spring form Google Street View

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Description:
Hog Spring Picnic Area is a Rest Stop between the town of Hanksville and Old Hite Marina at Lake Powell.  The rest area sits at the bottom of Hog Canyon, and has a number of cottonwood trees, as well as other desert scrub and under story.

Birding:
There isn't much here in terms of birds, nut if driving through it's worth a stop to check the trees.  During migration warblers and other migrants likely use this small spring riparian stop as a trap so depending on weather and timing there could be a decent number of birds here.  The habitat is typical of the area, and the red rock canyons provide homes to CANYON and ROCK WREN as well as WHITE-THROATED SWIFT during the summer months.  There is one notable sighting of BEWICK'S WREN from here. This location needs some attention in eBird, so if you are passing through stop for a few minutes to check it out.

Directions:
From the intersection of Hwy 24 and Hwy 95 in the town of Hanksville, follow Highway 95 southeast 33.3 miles towards Hite.  The rest stop will be on your right.