Cottonwood Canyon Road — Cannonville to US-89
Utah slickrock country without the crowds.
Cottonwood Canyon Road cuts south through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from the Kodachrome Basin turnoff near Cannonville to US-89 near the Paria River. It follows Cottonwood Wash through a dry, wide-open landscape of striped cliffs, sagebrush, and sandstone. Early on you’ll pass the double-span Grosvenor Arch, then the Cottonwood Narrows, a slot walk you can do on foot. After that, Yellow Rock and the folded Cockscomb slide past. It’s one of the quietest ways to cross the monument, and you can drive the whole thing in a day.
In the dry it’s Easy. High-clearance 2WD often works, though 4WD is better insurance. After rain, the bentonite clay turns to grease, flash floods run the wash, and the road gets impassable fast. Check the weather and call the BLM visitor center in Cannonville before you commit. No services on the road, so carry fuel, water, a spare, and recovery gear. There’s no cell signal for most of it. Best seasons are April to June and September to October, since summer heat and monsoon storms make midyear risky. Dispersed camping is allowed with Leave No Trace in most roadside spots. You get big country, real quiet, and some of the best geology in the Southwest without the crowds. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 46 mi / 74 km |
| Duration | 3-5 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6000 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD in dry weather; 4WD after rain |
| Nearest town | Cannonville, Utah |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante NM |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or other stock SUV do Cottonwood Canyon Road?
Yes, when it's dry. A high-clearance 2WD can handle the washboard, sand, and shallow wash crossings, so a stock 4Runner is more than enough. After rain, the clay sections turn slick and can stop even 4WD rigs.
Is Cottonwood Canyon Road open in winter?
It's not gated, but winter and early spring bring snow, mud, and slick clay that can make it impassable or leave you stuck miles from help. The best windows are April-June and September-October, and you should check recent rain and the BLM road report before committing.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Cottonwood Canyon Road?
No permit or fee is needed to drive the road or day-use it. Overnight backpacking in the monument requires a free permit, and campfire rules vary by season. Check with the Grand Staircase-Escalante NM visitor center in Cannonville before you go.
What's the hardest part of Cottonwood Canyon Road?
The clay and bentonite stretches are the real problem. Dry, they're a rough, washboarded drive. Wet, they turn to greasy mud that's nearly impossible to drive and can strand you for days. Beyond that, expect washboard, short sandy patches, and a few wash crossings with flash flood risk if storms are upstream.
Where can I get fuel, water, and cell service along Cottonwood Canyon Road?
There's no fuel, water, or cell service along the 46 miles. Fill up and load water in Cannonville (or Kanab to the south), and carry a paper map, offline GPS, and a recovery kit. Dispersed camping is allowed along the route, but there are no facilities, so pack out everything.
Trail track
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