Waterpocket Fold Burr Trail Road — Capitol Reef to Lake Powell via the Grand Staircase Slot Canyon Country
A switchback wall into the Earth's folded spine.
The Burr Trail is the kind of road that rewrites your sense of scale. Starting in Boulder, Utah, it cuts east through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument along the flanks of the Waterpocket Fold — a 100-mile long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust that Capitol Reef is built on. The paved section ends abruptly at the Kane County line, where the road turns to dirt and drops over the Fold via the Burr Trail Switchbacks: a tight, exposed set of hairpins carved into a 600-foot sandstone cliff face. From the bottom, the road traces Long Canyon and crosses into Capitol Reef’s remote backcountry before exiting near Notom toward Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell.
Most of the route is passable in a high-clearance 2WD when dry, but the switchbacks and creek crossings in the Fold demand 4WD after any rain — wet Navajo sandstone is slicker than ice. Stock rigs can do it in dry conditions; a lifted truck gives you breathing room. No permits required, but the Grand Staircase portion is managed by BLM and the eastern end crosses Capitol Reef — check both for road closures. Best driven May through June or September through October. Carry at least 2 gallons per person; fuel in Boulder, no services after. The payoff is a front-row seat to geology that most people only see from airplane windows.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 66 mi / 106.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6600 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended; 2WD passable when dry |
| Nearest town | Boulder, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument / NPS Capitol Reef National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NPS Capitol Reef Burr Trail page BLM Burr Trail road info |
| 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 the Burr Trail without modifications?
Yes — a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner handles this trail fine under normal dry conditions. The switchback section is rocky and rutted but not technical; ground clearance matters more than lockers or skid plates here. Aired-down tires help on the washboard sections.
When does the Burr Trail close, and is it driveable in winter?
There's no official seasonal closure, but the dirt sections through Grand Staircase-Escalante turn to axle-sucking clay mud after rain or snow — impassable even in 4WD. April–June and September–October are the reliable windows; summer works but temperatures routinely exceed 100°F with zero shade.
Do I need a permit to drive the Burr Trail or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the route. Dispersed camping on BLM Grand Staircase land is free and requires no permit; you must camp 200 feet from the road, water, and cultural sites. The NPS Capitol Reef section at the western end has its own camping rules — check the NPS page before you set up there.
How bad is the switchback wall section, and what's the hardest part of this trail?
The Burr Trail Switchbacks are the psychological crux — tight, steep, rocky hairpins dropping off the Waterpocket Fold with sheer exposure on one side. It's not a technical crawl, but it's narrow enough that two full-size trucks can't pass in most spots, and the loose rock surface demands slow, deliberate throttle control. Descending is harder than climbing.
Is there any water or gas between Boulder and the Lake Powell end, and how should I plan for the 66-mile stretch?
There is no gas, no services, and no reliable water sources along the route — plan for the full 66 miles self-supported. Tank up and water up in Boulder before you leave; the nearest fuel on the eastern end is Hanksville or Bullfrog Marina, each adding significant distance. Carry at minimum 2 gallons of water per person per day given the heat and zero cell service.
Trail track
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