Where is Burr Trail?
Usa, north-america
106 km
244 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for the Burr Trail, a 66-mile (106 km) scenic backway straddling Kane and Garfield counties in south-central Utah. You'll cruise through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Capitol Reef National Park, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Starting from Bullfrog (Highway 276) near Lake Powell, you'll wind your way to the mountain town of Boulder (Utah Scenic Byway 12). Most of the road is pretty quiet. The western part, from Boulder to Capitol Reef, is paved. But inside the park, it turns into a graded dirt road that can get seriously washboarded – so gas up in Bullfrog, Ticaboo, or Boulder!
Named after Mormon settler John Atlantic Burr, this trail can be tricky. While cars can usually handle it in dry weather (spring and fall are ideal!), rain can make it impassable, even for 4WDs. Check conditions with rangers before you go. Cell service is spotty, so pack plenty of water and supplies.
The highlight? The Burr Trail Switchbacks – a super steep series of hairpin turns that climb 800 feet (244 m) in just half a mile (0.8 km). Talk about a test!
The road's open year-round, but flash floods can happen anytime. Leave the RVs and trailers at home! Budget 2.5–3 hours for the drive, but plan for longer – you'll be stopping constantly. Think painted rocks, Henry Mountains views, contorted landscapes like The Gulch and Waterpocket Fold, red Circle Cliffs, and Long Canyon. Seriously, get ready for some epic hiking and side trips!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 106 km
- Max Elevation
- 244 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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