Coyote Gulch to Beef Basin — Abajo Mountains Desert Rim via Dark Canyon Plateau
Anasazi ruins, zero crowds, real canyon country.
Beef Basin sits in one of the least-visited corners of the Colorado Plateau — a broad, grass-carpeted bowl ringed by canyon walls and littered with Ancestral Puebloan towers that stand completely unguarded and uninterpreted. The route climbs out of Cottonwood Canyon via the Ruin Park spur, threads through Dark Canyon Plateau above thousand-foot drops, and drops into Beef Basin proper before looping back through the Abajo foothills. Yamaskis Ruin and the Beef Basin Tower complex are the named highlights — scattered stone structures that will stop you cold on a quiet afternoon. The road is unmaintained BLM two-track for most of its length, with one punishing rocky descent near House Park that will test your skid plates.
High clearance 4WD is non-negotiable — a long-travel suspension helps on the House Park descent. Lockers are useful but not always mandatory. No cell service whatsoever. Water is scarce; carry everything you need for a multi-day run. Best season is April through early June and again September through October — summer heat is genuinely dangerous out here and monsoon rain turns the clay sections into grease. No permit currently required. Moab and Monticello are your fuel and resupply points. The payoff is archaeological density and solitude that you simply cannot find on any named trail in Bears Ears.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 48 mi / 77.2 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7200 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Monticello, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Monticello Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Monticello Field Office Bears Ears National Monument |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can manage most of it, but the rocky shelf sections on Dark Canyon Plateau will test your skid plates and suspension hard. Lockers or a solid limited-slip help on loose shale. Lifted rigs with all-terrain tires will have a noticeably easier time.
When is this trail actually drivable — and what shuts it down?
April–June and September–October are the windows. Summer monsoons (July–August) turn the dirt sections into axle-deep mud and can flood the lower canyon approaches fast. Snow closes the Abajo rim sections from November through March, sometimes later.
Do I need a permit to drive this trail or camp out here?
No permit required for the trail itself or dispersed camping on BLM land. The route skirts Bears Ears National Monument — if you're entering monument boundaries, no fee, but follow Leave No Trace rules and don't disturb any cultural or archaeological sites, which is federal law under ARPA.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect there?
The Dark Canyon Plateau rim drop is the crux — loose rock ledges, off-camber shelf road with no guardrail, and limited room to turn around if you second-guess it. Expect slow going: 2–3 mph, careful tire placement, and a spotter if you're running solo.
There's zero cell service — how far is the nearest gas and how should I plan fuel?
Monticello is your last reliable fuel stop before heading out, sitting roughly 30–40 miles from the trailhead depending on your approach. With 48 miles of low-gear crawling, plan for terrible fuel economy — carry a jerry can with at least 5 extra gallons. There's no water on the plateau either, so pack all you need.
Trail track
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