Lonesome Highway — Canyonlands River Road to Mineral Bottom via Green River Benchlands
Switchbacks to the Green River — no crowd, no guardrails.
Most people coming to Canyonlands head for Island in the Sky and call it done. The ones who know better take Mineral Bottom Road off the Book Cliffs plateau and spiral down to the Green River at 3,900 feet — a switchbacking descent that looks impossible from the rim and is merely hairy once you’re on it. The road follows the east bank of the Green River through Labyrinth Canyon country, cutting across sandstone benches above the water before the final tight switchbacks drop to the Mineral Bottom boat launch. This is the put-in for multi-day float trips through Stillwater Canyon, and on a weekday in spring you might share it only with swallows and canyon wrens. The bench road itself crosses some slickrock shelves and soft sand near the river bottom that demand attention.
High-clearance 4WD recommended, though careful stock SUVs manage in dry conditions. The switchbacks are narrow — trailers and long-wheelbase rigs struggle badly on the lower descent. In wet weather the clay sections become impassable regardless of vehicle. Best season is March through May and September through November. Bring all your water — none is reliably available on the bench road. Green River, Utah is your last fuel stop. No permit required for the drive, but overnight camping at Mineral Bottom is managed by the BLM. Cell service disappears completely once you leave pavement. This is legitimately remote canyon country — treat it that way.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 46 mi / 74 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5800 ft |
| Best season | March-May and September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Green River, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Moab Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Mineral Bottom Road BLM Moab 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 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a 4Runner or Tacoma is the minimum and will handle the trail fine under dry conditions. The rock and mixed surfaces don't require extreme articulation, but low-range and decent all-terrain tires matter more than lift height here.
What happens to this road when it rains?
The dirt and clay sections turn into a greasy, impassable mess when wet — this is not a trail you push through in the rain or immediately after. Check forecasts for the Green River, UT area and give it at least 24–48 hours to dry after any precipitation before attempting it.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp out here?
No permit is required to drive the road or use dispersed camping on BLM land along this corridor. Standard BLM rules apply — camp 200 feet from the road and water sources, pack out everything, and stay within 14-day limits at any one spot.
How bad are the Mineral Bottom switchbacks — what's the hardest part of the descent?
The switchbacks dropping into Mineral Bottom are tight, exposed, and have no guardrails — that's the crux. Wider rigs (over 80 inches) or those towing trailers will struggle on the sharper turns; it's not technical crawling, but it demands confidence and controlled downhill speed on loose rock and dirt.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there water anywhere on route?
Green River, UT is your last reliable fuel stop — roughly 45–50 miles from the northern end of the trail, so top off before you leave town. There is no potable water on route; the Green River is present at Mineral Bottom but requires filtering or treatment, so carry all your drinking water from town.
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.