Comb Ridge to Butler Wash Ruins — Bears Ears Cedar Mesa Backcountry Circuit
Ancient ruins on a razor-edge ridge road.
Comb Ridge is a 90-mile monocline that cleaves southeast Utah like a crooked knife blade — and the shelf road that drops off its western face into Butler Wash is among the most rewarding miles in Bears Ears National Monument. From the Highway 95 crossing near Blanding, a BLM two-track runs north along the ridge crest before descending a series of switchbacks to Butler Wash, where Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings fill nearly every sandstone alcove. The Butler Wash Ruins site alone contains a 20-room structure and four kivas visible from an overlook trail. The road itself traverses slickrock shelves, loose shale, and cross-bedded sand — context that changes with every quarter mile of geology.
This is genuine technical terrain. The descent off Comb Ridge includes exposed shelf road with significant drop-offs and surface rock that gets slick when wet. Lockers help; a capable 4WD with experienced hands at the wheel is mandatory. No permits currently required for vehicle travel, though Bears Ends Monument designation means regulations evolve — check with the Monticello BLM field office before you go. Water: none on route, carry everything. Closest fuel is Blanding, Utah, 12 miles east. Best season is March through May and September through November. Cell service is zero. Dispersed camping on BLM land outside monument boundaries is available; camp on previously impacted sites only within the monument.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 24 mi / 38.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6200 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Capable 4WD with lockers recommended |
| Nearest town | Blanding, UT |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Monticello Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma run this trail, or do I need lockers?
Lockers are strongly recommended, not just preferred. The shelf road sections on Comb Ridge have loose rock, off-camber exposure, and sandy washouts that will punish a stock rig. A capable 4WD with good all-terrain tires and a locker front or rear gives you a real margin of safety here.
When is this trail passable — and what kills access?
March–May and September–November are the sweet spots. Summer monsoons (July–August) turn the dirt and sand sections into axle-deep mud that closes access fast, and winter snow and ice on the ridge make the shelf road genuinely dangerous. Check conditions with the BLM Monticello Field Office before you roll.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this trail?
No vehicle permit is required to drive the trail, but if you plan to visit any of the Ancestral Puebloan ruins or cultural sites in Cedar Mesa, a free Cedar Mesa day-use permit is required and must be obtained in advance through Recreation.gov. Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land; no campfire permits are needed but fire restrictions vary seasonally.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The shelf road descent off Comb Ridge into Butler Wash is the crux — narrow, loose rock surface, meaningful exposure on the downhill side, and no room to pass oncoming traffic. It's not a trail-ender for a prepared rig, but one bad line on a slick section absolutely can be. Take it slow, spot your tires, and don't let ego make decisions.
How far is the nearest gas, and is there any reliable water on trail?
Blanding, UT is your last fuel stop — roughly 20–30 miles from the trailhead depending on your approach, so top off before you leave town. There are water crossings in Butler Wash, but treat any water you collect; there are no developed water sources on route. Pack more than you think you need for a 1–2 day run in desert terrain.
Trail track
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