Outlaw Bill Tibbetts | Moab, Utah | Canyonlands National Park
Raise your hand if you’ve heard of the outlaw Bill Tibbetts before? Mine is down as well, so don’t feel so ashamed. Prior to my visit to Canyonlands National Park in Utah, I had no idea about some of the history that lived within its borders. I stopped by the Island in the Sky visitors center to mark my National Parks Passport book with yet another stamp, and gazed upon “Last of the Robbers Roost Outlaws ~ Moab’s Bill Tibbetts.” At 152 pages, I figured it’d be a breeze to read, while camping out in the surrounding desert.
Traveling back nearly 100 years ago, the book takes you to a time when real cowboys and Indians still roamed amongst the land. It was a really good read, as the places I had been visiting were once walked upon by Bill Tibbetts, his immediately family, and the cattle that they had been herding.
In July of 1924. Bill Tibbetts and his friend Tom Perkins were charged with larceny of 13 cattle belonging to a rival company who at the time were sharing the grazing area. While in jail awaiting trial, both men escaped evading the authorities in much of the present day Canyonlands National Park, eventually finding their way into the Robbers Roost area of Southern Utah. Having read the book in its entirety, I’m of the belief that both of the men were setup. Present time politics, playing out in the past, what a surprise!
In 1932 after 8 years of successfully outrunning the law, Bill Tibbetts returned to Moab, Utah when the statute of limitations would eventually run its course. Sadly in August of 1969, him and his wife Jewel would be killed by a drunk driver just south of town along the highway. Below are a few captures from no doubtingly areas that were once gazed upon by Bill Tibbetts own eyes.
Sunrise over the La Sal Mountain range in Moab, Utah. This was captured from the Grand View Point Overlook in Canyonlands National Park. I can picture Bill Tibbetts on his horse surveying the land below.
Sunrise over Shafer Canyon, where the Shafer trail. begins to light up. In chapter 10 of the book, it’s mentioned that in 1924 a wild white stallion that Tibbetts had tried to wrangle in, leapt to its death over the steep canyon walls. “For several years after that, the bleached and broken bones of that magnificent white horse could be seen near the Shafer Trail, hundreds of feet below where that old wild horse had jumped. Bill didn’t like to ride the Shafer Trail after that. Those old bones always made him sad.”
The Jewel Tibbetts Arch, located near the Horsethief Ranch which was home to the TIbbetts during the 1950’s/60’s. The married couple often took visitors to see this geological formation.
The Tibbetts grave located in Moab, Utah. Rest easy friend!
For another read on Utah history check out my blog post entitled: On The Road Again posted in May of 2024.
For more inspirational tales, thoughts and photography visit me on instagram: @ryan.j.drewes
