Trail

Driving the Burr Trail

Trail
Dirt road that curves around a large rock. Road sign indicating steep incline ahead.

The Burr Trail is a 67-mile point-to-point backcountry drive connecting Bullfrog (Glen Canyon) to Boulder through Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and the Waterpocket Fold—a tactical expedition, not a Sunday cruise. Expect mix of paved and dirt surfaces, switchback technical sections, and total vulnerability to weather: impassable when wet, requiring high clearance and sometimes 4-wheel drive. Rewards are raw geological drama—Henry Mountains, Waterpocket Fold cliffs, Long Canyon's 300-foot sandstone walls, and a mile-by-mile briefing that doubles as a field geology lecture. Solo drivers should carry redundancy (water, communication plan, spare fuel) because this road offers zero margin for error.

Quick facts

Distance Miles
67
Route Type
Point-to-point
Difficulty Level
Challenging
Elevation Gain Feet
0

Trail profile

Distance Miles
67
Route Type
Point-to-point
Difficulty Level
Challenging
Elevation Gain Feet
0
Estimated Time
5–8 hours of drive time if continuous; 8–14 hours with stops and hikes at side attractions
Trail Surface
Mixed paved and unpaved roads with washboard sections, loose rock, and technical switchbacks
Trail Features
  • Henry Mountains (five peaks visible from Mile 12.4)
  • Waterpocket Fold (100-mile geological feature)
  • Circle Cliffs
  • Navajo Mountain (laccolith view)
  • Halls Creek Overlook and Narrows
  • Brimhall Natural Bridge
  • Pedestal Alley Trail (3-mile roundtrip hike)
  • Lower Muley Twist Canyon
  • Upper Muley Twist Canyon
  • Long Canyon (7 miles of 300-foot sandstone walls)
  • Singing Canyon (slot canyon with acoustic properties)
  • The Gulch
  • Switchbacks through Burr Canyon
  • Pinon-Juniper forest zone (Mile 36.0, 6,000 ft elevation)
Trail Highlights
Geological tour through 100 million years of rock layering. Waterpocket Fold dominates views—colorful eroded cliffs, arches, and natural bridges. Long Canyon's narrow walls tower 300 feet overhead. Switchbacks through Burr Canyon offer exposure without technical climbing. Multiple canyon trailheads allow car-based day hikes (Pedestal Alley, Muley Twist, Halls Creek Narrows).

Trailhead & access

Trailhead Location
Bullfrog, Utah (junction of Utah Highway 276 and the Burr Trail); ends at Boulder, Utah (junction with Utah State Route 12)
Parking Lot Size
Multiple pullouts and scenic overlooks; no single "trailhead" lot. Deer Creek Campground (7 sites) at mile 60.7
Shuttle Required
0
Shuttle Details
Not applicable. This is a point-to-point drive requiring either two vehicles or return drive on same route.

Permits & conditions

Permit Details
No permit required. However, overnight backcountry camping (e.g., Halls Creek Narrows, Muley Twist Canyon) requires a permit from Bullfrog Visitor Center.
Fees
$20.00 — Entrance - Private Vehicle (Capitol Reef National Park)
Trail Status
Open (condition-dependent)
Seasonal Closures
Road is frequently impassable in winter due to snow and ice. Summer monsoons (July–September) and heavy rains in spring can close the road instantly due to flash flood risk in washes and canyons.

Facilities & rules

Restrooms At Trailhead
0
Water Sources
None on the road. Carry all water needed (minimum 2 gallons per person for a full drive). Some side canyons (Bullfrog Creek at Mile 5.1, washes near Muley Twist) may flow after rain, but water must be filtered.
Accessibility
In dry weather, passenger cars can drive the route. Wet weather demands high-clearance and 4-wheel drive. RVs and trailers are not recommended at any time. Road surfaces vary: paved highway at start/end, hardpack dirt for much of the middle, loose rock and switchbacks in technical sections.

Safety & strategy

Hazards
  • Flash floods in washes and canyons
  • Road impassable when wet
  • Extreme heat (110°F in summer)
  • Extreme cold (below 0°F in winter)
  • Narrow switchbacks with no passing
  • Limited cell service
  • 4-wheel drive sometimes mandatory
  • Loose rocks and washboard roads
  • Steep drop-offs near some overlooks
  • Bentonite clay (forms mud when wet)
Hazard Details
Flash flooding is the primary killer. Even distant rain can send water roaring through narrow canyons with zero warning. Bentonite clay on the road (Mile 27.5) becomes impassable mud when wet. Switchbacks at Burr Canyon (Miles 31.6–32.8) are steep and narrow; ascending vehicles have right of way, but descending vehicles can't brake safely if stopped abruptly. High-center vehicles scrape on washboard sections. Heat exhaustion and dehydration strike fast above 6,000 feet in summer. Winter snow closes the road for days.
Cell Service
Limited to none. Leave your trip itinerary with someone. Satellite communication recommended.
Crowd Level
Ghost town
Best Season
Fall (September–October) and Spring (April–May)
Best Time To Visit
Fall (September–October) and Spring (April–May) are operational windows—weather stable, temperatures tolerable, no snow risk. Summer heat tops 110°F with zero shade; winter drops below 0°F and snow closes the road. Call Escalante Interagency Visitor Center (435-826-5499) for current road conditions before departure. Depart early—do not drive this winding road at night.
Tips Advice
  • Carry minimum 2 gallons water per person. Dehydration is a mission killer at elevation and in full sun.
  • Check road and weather conditions before leaving—call 435-826-5499. If rain is forecast or threatening, abort. Flash floods close this road instantly.
  • Do not stop on the switchbacks. Cars ascending have right of way; stay alert.
  • Pack a first aid kit, proper footwear, sunscreen, wide-brim hat, and communication device (satellite if possible). Cell service is patchy.
  • Inspect your vehicle: tire pressure, brakes, fuel level. This is a solo-driver zone; no passing opportunities.
  • Leave your trip itinerary with someone. This road is remote.
  • Never enter washes or canyons if rain threatens or is falling. Narrows flood in minutes.
  • Drive slow on the dirt sections. Washboard and rocks punish speed.

More details

Park Area
Burr Trail
Trail Markers
Not marked like a hiking trail. Road is obvious (you follow the dirt track), but a detailed mile-by-mile guide from NPS is essential for identifying landmarks, pullouts, and side-road junctions. GPS or phone navigation recommended as backup.
Dogs Allowed
Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Owners must clean up solid waste.
Biking Allowed
Not recommended. Road is rough and often washboard; vehicles move fast. No shoulder, limited sightlines on curves.
Shade Level
None. Full exposure. No trees on the upper plateau sections. Long Canyon provides cliff shade but road is open sky. Bring a wide-brim hat; sunburn and heat exhaustion are mission threats.
Emergency Contacts
911 (may have limited response in remote areas). Escalante Interagency Visitor Center: 435-826-5499 (for road conditions, rescue coordination).
Map Recommended
1
Snow Dates
December through March; closure risk peaks in January (temps to 0°F). Spring snow (April) possible. Check conditions before travel.
Mud Season
Summer and fall monsoon season (July–September). Heavy rains make road impassable within hours.
Insider Tips
  • The false Waterpocket Fold overlook at Mile 9.6 is easy to miss—stop there for the first full-view briefing.
  • Pedestal Alley Trail (Mile 4.8) is short, marked by cairns, and a good leg-stretch. Parking is on the south side; trailhead crosses the road north.
  • At Halls Creek Narrows (Mile 18.8), don't attempt the 22-mile Narrows hike unless experienced—it requires 3–4 days, wading, scrambling, and canyon navigation skills.
  • Lower Muley Twist (Miles 28.5 and 32.8 trailheads) has the best dramatic canyon walls and is doable as a day hike from either end. Loop hikes require two vehicles.
  • Long Canyon (Miles 50–56) is the visual climax—the narrow Wingate walls are cathedral-like. Slow down, absorb the scale.
  • Singing Canyon pullout (Mile 55.5) is on the east side; the slot canyon is short but acoustically eerie at the dry fall.
  • At the switchbacks (Miles 31.6–32.8), respect the uphill-priority rule. Stop only in pullouts; never brake mid-turn.
  • Deer Creek Campground is small (7 sites) and fills mid-day in fall. Arrive by early afternoon if camping.
  • The "Unknown Mountains" (now Henry Mountains) were unnamed until John Wesley Powell's 1869 expedition—the geology lore is genuine.
Recent Updates
Road conditions fluctuate with weather and maintenance. Check the most recent Road Report at nps.gov/glca/learn/news/road-conditions.htm or call 435-826-5499 before departure.
Family Friendly Notes
Not ideal for young children or anxious passengers. Narrow winding road, 7+ hours of driving, no facilities mid-route. The switchbacks are steep (don't look down if you're afraid of heights). Limited entertainment for kids between stops. Recommend passengers be old enough to sit still for long drives and accept vehicle motion sickness risk.
Nearby Facilities
Bullfrog (junction start): limited services, gas, some lodging. Deer Creek Campground (7 BLM sites, $10/night, no water) at Mile 60.7. Boulder, Utah (end): food, fuel, lodging. Anasazi State Park (near Boulder, 32 miles south is Escalante town (51.5 km south); 40 miles north over Boulder Mountain is Torrey.
Review Summary
Drivers report the road is doable in dry weather but demands respect and preparation. The geological views—Waterpocket Fold, Henry Mountains, Long Canyon—are world-class and worth the long drive. Real limitation: weather unpredictability closes the road for weeks at a time, and the sheer isolation means no quick rescue if something goes wrong. First-timers should go fall or spring, never in monsoon or winter.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Is the Burr Trail actually drivable in a regular car, or do I need 4-wheel drive?

In dry weather, passenger cars drive it fine. Wet weather demands high-clearance and 4-wheel drive. The road is variable: paved start/end, hardpack in the middle, technical loose-rock sections. If you're unsure about your vehicle or the conditions, call 435-826-5499 before departure. Do not gamble on 'I'll turn back if it gets rough'—you won't be able to in bad weather.

Can I drive this solo, or is it safer in a group?

Solo driving is allowed and common, but solo drivers carry all risk. If your vehicle breaks down (flat tire, engine failure, fuel leak), rescue is hours away. Satellite communication is prudent. Group travel means mechanical support and emergency backup—bring at least one other vehicle if possible.

What happens if I get caught in a rainstorm on the road?

Flash floods can close narrow canyons and washes within minutes. If rain is falling or imminent, do not enter washes or narrow canyon sections (especially Halls Creek Narrows, Long Canyon). If caught mid-route, get to high ground immediately. Seek shelter if thunder is close. The road may become impassable; you could be stranded overnight. This is why checking weather and road conditions before departure is non-negotiable.

How much water should I carry?

Minimum 2 gallons per person (4 gallons for two people). The drive is 5–8 hours in direct sun with no shade. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are real killers here. Bring electrolyte replacement (salts, sports drink mix) to offset sweat loss at high elevation.

Are there bathrooms or rest stops along the route?

No facilities exist mid-route. Deer Creek Campground (Mile 60.7) has basic camping but no potable water or restroom. Use facilities at Bullfrog before departure and plan to reach Boulder for the next stop. If you're solo and have bladder anxiety, this is a bad choice.

When is the best time to drive the Burr Trail?

Fall (September–October) and Spring (April–May). Summer is 110°F+ with no shade and intense UV. Winter (December–March) brings snow, ice, and closure risk. Monsoon season (July–September) triggers flash-flood closures. Aim for mid-September to mid-October or mid-April to mid-May for stable weather and tolerable temps.

Cassidy Arch

Out-and-back to Cassidy Arch. 3.1–3.5 miles; steep first mile; bring at least 2L water.

Watch the Sunset

Watch Capitol Reef sunsets ignite the Waterpocket Fold. Easy stroll to strenuous climb. Bring headlamp for dark descent.

Sources

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.