Lonesome Highway — Centennial Plateau to Bryce Valley via Skutumpah Road and Johnsons Canyon
Red-rock clay road through Grand Staircase's core.
Skutumpah Road is the kind of route that separates the curious from the committed. Running roughly 50 miles between Cannonville, Utah and US-89 near Kanab, this BLM dirt road cuts through the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument — passing Kodachrome Basin State Park’s backdoor, skirting the Skutumpah Terrace cliffs, dropping through Bull Valley Gorge (where a 1950s truck is literally embedded in the slot canyon walls), and threading Johnsons Canyon with its towering orange palisades. The road can be driven end-to-end in a long day but deserves at least one night camped under those cliffs.
Dry conditions are everything here — this road turns to axle-grabbing clay the moment it rains, and sections near Bull Valley Gorge can become genuinely impassable. High clearance is required; 4WD recommended and often needed. No services exist on the route itself, so carry two full days of water and fuel. Best season is April through early June and September through October — summer monsoons shut it down fast. No permit required, but check BLM Kanab Field Office road conditions before you go. The payoff is real: slot canyon light, remote sandstone, and almost no one else doing it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 50 mi / 80.5 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6600 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Kanab, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Kanab Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Skutumpah Road page 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Skutumpah Road, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is the minimum — no lift required under dry conditions. The road has washboards, embedded rock, and some rutted sections but nothing that demands serious suspension travel. Aired-down tires help.
What happens to this road when it rains?
The red clay surface turns into a greasy, vehicle-swallowing mess when wet — this is one of those roads that can trap even capable rigs. BLM closes it after significant rain and it can stay impassable for days. Check conditions with the BLM Kanab Field Office (435-644-1200) before you go, especially outside of dry summer months.
Do I need a permit to drive Skutumpah Road or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the road. Dispersed camping on BLM land is free and allowed, just follow Leave No Trace and stay 200 feet from the road and water sources. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument rules apply in monument sections — no fees, but respect designated routes.
What's the hardest section of this route and what should I actually expect?
The roughest stretch is typically the mid-section through Sheep Creek Canyon where the road narrows and rocky ledges can catch low-hanging skid plates. It's not technically extreme, but one bad line on a shelf road section with a drop-off will ruin your day. Moderate difficulty here means you should still be paying attention, not cruising on autopilot.
There's no cell service on this route — how far is the nearest gas and what's the fuel range I need?
Kanab is your last reliable fuel stop before the southern end and Cannonville (or Tropic) before the northern end — plan for roughly 100+ miles round-trip without resupply. Carry extra fuel if your rig gets under 20 MPG off-road. There is zero cell service the entire 50 miles, so download offline maps and file a trip plan with someone before you head out.
Trail track
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