Hells Backbone Road — Escalante to Boulder via the Spine Above Sand Creek Canyon
A CCC-built bridge between two canyon drops.
Hells Backbone Road earns its name about 25 miles in, at the single-lane Hells Backbone Bridge — a skinny concrete span hung between two sheer canyon drops, Death Hollow on one side and Sand Creek on the other. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, this was the only road linking Boulder to the outside world until the 1940s. The full route runs Forest Road 153 from Escalante north through the Dixie National Forest, climbing through ponderosa and spruce before cresting the ridge and threading across that bridge with no guardrails and a long way down on both sides. It’s one of those moments that reminds you why you drove out here.
The road is graded gravel and dirt — high clearance recommended, 4WD helpful when wet, but stock SUVs handle it in dry conditions. It’s the weather and season that bite you: the route typically closes with snow from November through April, and afternoon thunderstorms turn the clay sections greasy fast. No permit required. Dispersed camping is available in the national forest sections. Fuel in Escalante; Boulder has limited services. Cell service is essentially gone above the forest boundary. Do this loop in the evening light — the canyon colors reward the timing.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9200 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD (4WD recommended) |
| Nearest town | Escalante, UT |
| Land manager | Dixie National Forest — Escalante Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock high-clearance 2WD truck handle Hells Backbone Road, or do I need 4WD?
A stock high-clearance 2WD can make it in dry conditions — the road is graded dirt and gravel, not technical rock crawling. 4WD earns its keep if you hit wet or muddy sections, which turn greasy fast at elevation. Don't push it in a low-clearance car or passenger sedan.
When does Hells Backbone Road close for the season, and is snow a real risk?
The road is generally accessible May through October, but snow can hit above 9,000 feet as early as late September and as late as May. The Escalante Ranger District gates it when conditions deteriorate — call ahead or check with the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center before you roll out.
Do I need a permit to drive Hells Backbone Road or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the road. Dispersed camping in Dixie National Forest is free and legal — follow Leave No Trace and the 14-day stay limit. You're outside Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument here, so GSENM camping rules don't apply on the forest sections.
What's the sketchiest section of the trail and what should I actually be ready for?
The namesake bridge is the pucker moment — a single-lane CCC-built span with canyon drops on both sides and no guardrail to speak of. It's not technically difficult to drive, but it's narrow, exposed, and unforgiving if you drift. Wide mirrors and a spotter if you're running a big rig.
Is there any cell service on Hells Backbone Road, and how far is the nearest gas from either end?
Zero cell service for essentially the entire 38 miles — plan like you're truly off-grid. Gas up in Escalante before you leave; Boulder has no fuel station, and the next option heading north is Torrey, roughly 70 miles from Boulder on UT-12.
Trail track
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