burr trail

THE BURR TRAIL (UTAH’S HIDDEN BYWAYS I) When one thinks of the red rock country of Utah, the National Parks, such as Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Arches come to mind. Utah has much more to offer, such as the hidden gem called the BURR TRAIL (State Route 1688). The beauty of this ‘trail’ is that it is not a trail at all, but a road leading to some of the grandest scenery in Utah. This road can be divided into two sections. The first section, which I will describe below, can be driven in any car. Part two will require a high clearance vehicle and experience driving on unpaved, dirt/gravel tracks without services. In both cases, I would recommend taking extra water and breakdown equipment in the event of any emergency. I would also like to point out that cell phones, as well as other electronic communication devices, DO NOT function in this area! In addition, I would not recommend the unpaved section to anyone after a rain of any significance (check locally). There are two commonly used entrances to the Burr trail. I will use the one starting in Boulder, Utah. Boulder, Utah did not have a road connection to the rest of the state’s road system until the 1940’s. If you are in Bryce Canyon National Park and have an extra day, this is your trip. Drive to UTAH ROUTE 12 and head north toward Torrey, Utah. After about 4-5 miles, you will pass a small portion of Bryce Canyon National Park called the “Mossy Cave Trail” (on your right), which is less traveled and leads to red rock and waterfalls. From this point to the town of Escalante, Utah is about 25 miles. The road is good, and you pass through some farming/ranch country. Escalante, Utah has the BLM, NPS, USFS Interagency Visitors Center/Ranger Station for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (on right), which is a full facility and a source of information. The paved section of the Burr Trail lies within the jurisdiction of this National Monument, so I would suggest obtaining a map and asking about road conditions. Leaving the visitors center and continuing north on Utah 12, you will see why Boulder, Utah was so isolated for so long. The road remains excellent, but you are now traveling through the NORTH ESCALANTE CANYON/ GULCH WILDERNESS AREA. At this point, the road goes through a series of switchbacks and your speed will drop to about 25 MPH. Take some of the designated turnoffs and enjoy the stark scenery of this section, which is a marvel of road construction. Twenty-Five miles north of the town of Escalante, Utah is the town of Boulder, Utah, the start of the Burr Trail. The small sign for the Burr trail will be on your right as you travel north on Utah 12. About 0.5 miles after you make your right turn, you will pass the Boulder Mesa Restaurant. I would suggest a stop here, either on the way in or out. The Buffalo Burgers are excellent, prepared on an outside grill. In additional, their pies are heavenly. The also have the last facilities (i.e. toilets) for the next few hours (unless trees and rocks are your thing). As you continue along the Burr trail (paved), you will pass ranchland and the scenery will become more desert-like and interesting. You will finally make a long, right handed switchback and descend into the jewel of the Burr Trail, LONG CANYON. Long Canyon is a beautiful red rock canyon, with walls streaked with desert varnish, coves, some arches, and breathtaking vistas that is about six miles long. You will also notice something strange. THERE ARE LITTLE TO NO PEOPLE HERE!!! I, as an amateur photographer, have found that morning lighting is best (i.e. after about 10:30AM). In addition, the afternoon may bring localized thunderstorms, especially during the summer. Since there are no true pullouts, I would also recommend pulling you vehicle slightly off the road in the unlikely event that a vehicle needs to pass. STOP OFTEN AND ENJOY. Continuing along will eventually take you out of Long Canyon and into an area of red rock and dome vistas. This area, located on the grey strata of rock, is fossil country (DO NOT REMOVE ANY FOSSILS! IT IS AGAINST THE LAW). This area is also a photographer’s paradise. Be sure to get out of your vehicle and wander around Long Canyon and the rest of the Burr trail. There is much to see within walking distance from the road, as well as experience. The paved road ends at a small parking area with a cattle guard and open gate across the road. This is the dividing line (i.e. border) between the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Capitol Reef National Park (unpaved). This is also the point where you will decide whether to double back to Boulder, Utah or continue on the UNPAVED Burr trail down into the Waterpocket Fold and up to Utah Route 24 east of Capitol Reef National Park. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS IF THE ROAD IS WET!!!! If you have the proper vehicle, the time, a map, and the proper provisions; continue a few miles ahead to a group of sharp switchbacks (LOW GEAR HERE). You will pass an arch on the skyline to your left before the switchbacks, as well as side roads to some viewpoints. Below the switchbacks, the road reaches a split. If you go to the right, you will end up at Lake Powell. Your road is to the left (state route 1670), paralleling the Waterpocket fold in Capitol Reef National Park and heading north to Utah Route 24 (about two hours). I wish you all a safe and enjoyable journey. ALASKASEEKER

This awesome drive is one of my favorites. High clearance vehicle is not required so it can be enjoyed by anyone that can drive. As others have stated, the dirt portion is maintained but I would suggest checking on conditions before heading out. We started at Capitol Reef on the dirt road, up the switchbacks and through Escalante (nice views of the red cliffs) and then up and over beautiful Boulder Mountain back to Hwy. 24. Photo opportunities everywhere! Pack a lunch and make a day of it!

This road, when it is not washed out, provides some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Southern Utah. The road is partially paved on the Grand Staircase/Escalante portion, and well maintained gravel in the Capitol Reef Park section.

We drove the Burr Trail from Boulder, UT. The Burr Trail is paved except for the very end, which goes down a mountain on dirt switchbacks. The dirt road portion is well maintained and any vehicle can easily drive this part of the road. The entire trail has one fabulous scenic view after another. The drive through the canyons is amazing. The Cottonwoods were in full color on our drive which made it even more picturesque. After we went down the switchbacks, we turned around and went back to Boulder. The return drive was just as enjoyable since we viewed the fabulous scenery from the opposite direction.

We went from Bullfrog to Boulder which I would recommend. The switchbacks which are SOOO RAD!!! Scenery fantastic!!! The dirt roads were a little rough!! Go slow! Such an amazing route! We went from Boulder into Capital Reef NP and it was AWESOME!! The slot canyon off the road is GREAT!! SOOO cool!!! Get out of the car!!!

This trail cuts across the Waterpocket Fold of Capitol Reef National Park. It's worth an overnight campout to see the side canyons, arches and of course magnificent vistas of the fold itself. A must see for any geologist.

We drove from Boulder to Bullfrog Marina on the Burr Trail. All but about 30 miles are paved. Of course, those 30 miles include the "switchbacks" which are the most infamous part of the trail. That said there are only 7 turns and the road is maintained, graded, and easy to drive. JUST SLOW DOWN. Like others have said this is an amazing drive through the Escalante/Grand Staircase area, with geologic wonders in every mile. Go slow, enjoy the backcountry, keep an eye on the weather and you'll be fine.

I drove the length of it and was awed by the switchbacks at the Capitol Reef end and the vistas in Escalante (see Photos)

Rivals Bryce and Zion, maybe even better in parts. Started with lunch at thee fabulous Burr Trail Grill. Great fall color in may parts. Totally awesome rock formations around every bend in the road. Don't miss slot Canyon at mile 11.3 where we stumbled upon a resting owl which patiently put up with our excitement and photo taking. Turned around after 25 miles as scenery turned less interesting and daylight was waning. Do not miss!!

Burr Trail offered an excellent drive with few others. While there is a short 30 mile unpaved section it's worth it and was suitable for a sedan. Views were fantastic. The only catch was that after a day or rain the previous day a section of BLM 12000 just before Lake Powell had a stream running through it. I walked into it barefoot and the water came up to my ankles. The issue was that the banks were wet sand and steep. We plowed through with a small SUV but would not have attempted it with a sedan. The road was later marked closed at 276.