Coyote Gulch to Hackberry Canyon — Grand Staircase Cottonwood Circuit via Skutumpah Road
Clay, canyons, and zero margin for rain.
Skutumpah Road runs roughly 40 miles between Cannonville and Johnson Canyon Road near Kanab, threading a remote spine through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument that passes Lick Wash, Bull Valley Gorge — where a 1954 pickup truck is still visible wedged in the slot — and the upper reaches of Hackberry Canyon. The road rolls across bentonite clay flats, traverses slickrock shelves, and drops into shallow washes before climbing back onto the plateau. In dry conditions it’s manageable, but a single rainstorm turns the clay into wheel-sucking grease that will strand anything without serious traction and a recovery kit. Don’t gamble on the weather here.
High-clearance 4WD is the floor; lockers help when the clay gets wet. No permits required as of now, though the BLM monument designation means regulations can shift — check current conditions with the Kanab Field Office before rolling in. Water is scarce and unreliable, carry at least 10 gallons. Best window is May through June and September through October — summer monsoons and winter mud make this road dangerous. Cell service is essentially zero for the full run. The payoff is solitude, canyon overlooks that take your breath away, and the kind of quiet that reminds you why you built the rig.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 41 mi / 66 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6500 ft |
| Best season | May-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Kanab, Utah |
| Land manager | BLM Kanab Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Grand Staircase road info BLM Kanab Field Office |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Skutumpah Road, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD handles this route fine under dry conditions. The road has rocky sections and soft shoulders, but nothing requiring a lift — tires matter more than suspension here, so run at least an all-terrain.
What happens to this road if it rains?
Skutumpah Road turns into a greasy, impassable clay mess the moment it gets wet — this is not an exaggeration. Check weather for the entire region before you go, not just Kanab, and if rain is in the forecast even 20 miles away, reschedule.
Do I need a permit to drive Skutumpah Road or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the route. Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land with no fee, but stay 300 feet from water sources and pack out everything — the BLM Kanab Field Office enforces Leave No Trace hard in Grand Staircase.
What's the hardest section of this route and what should I actually expect?
The roughest miles are typically in the canyon bottom segments where water erosion creates embedded rock and loose rubble that demands careful tire placement. Nothing technically extreme, but the remoteness is real — if you break something out here, self-recovery is your only option.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there water on route?
Kanab is your last reliable fuel stop before heading north — fill up there. There are no services on the 41-mile route, cell service is zero throughout, and while seasonal water crossings exist, treat or filter anything you pull from them and carry enough for the full run.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.