Cottonwood Canyon Road — Cockscomb Basin to US-89 via Grosvenor Arch and the Paria River Benchlands
46 miles of colour, clay, and a hidden double arch.
Cottonwood Canyon Road cuts the Grand Staircase-Escalante’s eastern flank north to south, tracking the Paria River drainage through country that changes colour every quarter mile — cream Entrada, burnt-orange Navajo, rust Kayenta, all folded into the Cockscomb monocline like God slammed a fist into the Colorado Plateau. The route runs 46 miles from Kodachrome Basin State Park in the north to US-89 near Paria townsite in the south. Grosvenor Arch — actually a double arch, which BLM somewhat undersells — sits 10 miles off the south end and gets its own spur. The Paria River crossing at the south end is the trip’s wildcard: after rain it runs fast and cuts the road completely, and the clay surface turns to axle-deep grease for a day after any precipitation.
In dry conditions, Cottonwood Canyon is passable to high-clearance 2WD — but wet conditions flip it to a genuine 4×4 mud situation fast, and the BLM closes it without ceremony when it’s unpassable. Check road conditions at the Kanab or Cannonville BLM field offices before you commit. No water, no services for 46 miles; carry everything. Dispersed camping is permitted on BLM land throughout. Best season is March through May and September through November — summer brings afternoon flash-flood risk on the Paria benches. The light on Cockscomb in late afternoon is the kind that makes people pull over and not move for an hour.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 46 mi / 74 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5900 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD dry / 4x4 required when wet |
| Nearest town | Cannonville, Utah |
| Land manager | BLM Kanab Field Office / Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Cottonwood Canyon 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 Cottonwood Canyon Road without modifications?
Yes, on dry conditions a stock high-clearance truck handles it fine. The road has washboards, loose gravel, and some rutted sections but nothing requiring a lift or lockers when it's dry. Wet is a completely different story — Entrada clay turns this road into a skating rink and even 4x4 rigs get stuck.
When is Cottonwood Canyon Road actually closed, and how often does it happen?
BLM closes it after any significant rain — sometimes for days at a time while the clay dries out. Spring and fall are best seasons, but spring snowmelt and afternoon thunderstorms can shut it down fast. Always check current conditions with the BLM Kanab Field Office before you leave, not the day before — the day of.
Do you need a permit to drive Cottonwood Canyon Road or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the road. Dispersed camping within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is free but you must camp at least 0.25 miles from the road, water sources, and archaeological sites. No campfire rings means no campfires in most areas — check current fire restrictions with BLM Kanab before you go.
What's the hardest section of the road and what actually makes it difficult?
The stretch through the Cockscomb formation near the northern end has the tightest canyon walls, the worst washboarding, and the most significant water crossing points along the Paria drainage. Nothing here is a technical rock crawl — the real danger is the clay surface after moisture and the remoteness if something goes wrong 20+ miles from pavement with zero cell service.
Is there any water available on the route, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are Paria River crossings on the route but that water needs filtering and is silty — treat it as emergency water, not a reliable source. Carry all you need. Cannonville is the closest town to the north end and has limited services; fill your tank and water before you leave US-89 or Kannonville. The full 46 miles has no services whatsoever.
Trail track
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