Flint Trail — Hans Flat to Maze Overlook via the Orange Cliffs Switchbacks
A uranium-era ledge into the Maze.
Nobody builds a road like the Flint Trail on purpose. Uranium prospectors cut it into the Orange Cliffs in the 1950s, and it still feels like a mining claim with a death wish. From Hans Flat Ranger Station you roll across the Island-in-the-Sky-sized emptiness of the Orange Cliffs plateau, then the ground falls away. The Flint Trail drops through a tight run of switchbacks on a ledge barely wider than your rig, with a long fall on the outside edge. Reverse moves are common in anything bigger than a short-wheelbase rig. At the bottom the road runs on to the Doll House and finally Maze Overlook, where the Maze District’s red labyrinth opens below you. It’s about 46 miles one way from Hans Flat and a long way from help.
Honest rating: difficult. A stock high-clearance 4WD with decent tires can do it in dry weather, but full-size trucks and trailers have no business here. Rain turns the clay into grease and the upper switchbacks get closed. Carry full recovery gear, two spares, extra fuel, and all your water. Hanksville is the last reliable fuel, roughly 70 miles back. There is no cell service. Day use needs no permit, but overnight camping in the Maze requires an NPS backcountry permit and designated sites. Best windows are April to June and September to October. You get solitude few Utah trails still offer. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 46 mi / 74 km |
| Duration | 1-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6400 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Short-wheelbase high-clearance 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Hanksville, Utah |
| Land manager | National Park Service — Canyonlands National Park (Maze District) |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | NPS Canyonlands National Park |
| Verified | |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner do the Flint Trail?
Usually, yes. A short-wheelbase high-clearance 4WD on good all-terrain tires can make the switchbacks if the driver is steady. Long-wheelbase rigs, big trailers, and low-clearance crossovers don't belong here. Carry a full-size spare and recovery gear, because help is hours away.
Is the Flint Trail open in winter?
Not reliably. Snow and mud at elevation can shut the switchbacks and the dirt roads leading to them, and wet clay turns to grease. The window is April-June and September-October. Check conditions with Canyonlands before you commit to the drive.
Do I need a permit to drive the Flint Trail?
Overnight camping in the Maze District requires an NPS backcountry permit, and you need it reserved before you go. Fees and day-use rules change, so confirm current details at nps.gov/cany before you leave Hanksville.
How bad are the Flint Trail switchbacks?
They're the crux: a narrow, steep, exposed ledge cut into the Orange Cliffs with tight turns and drop-offs. Some corners take a multi-point turn in a longer rig. Walk it first if you're unsure, and don't push through if you meet traffic without a plan for who backs up.
Can I get gas, water, or cell service out there?
No to all three. The nearest town is Hanksville, so top off fuel there and carry all your water, with extra for delays. There's no cell service, so bring a satellite communicator and tell someone your route and return date.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.