Comb Wash to Arch Canyon — Cedar Mesa Tributary Canyon Rim Run
Ruins, sandstone, and solitude in Bears Ears.
Arch Canyon cuts north into Cedar Mesa from Comb Wash like a crack in the earth that someone forgot to close. You drive the wash floor beneath towering Wingate sandstone walls, and within a few miles the ruins start appearing — cliff dwellings tucked into alcoves above the canyon floor, granaries perched where you’d need a ladder just to inspect them. The road follows the canyon bottom, crossing the wash repeatedly before the two-track pinches down and forces you out on foot to push deeper toward the canyon head. The last few miles before the informal end of the driveable route involve serious boulder work and loose sand that will test your lockers and your patience equally.
This is Bears Ears National Monument country — treat it accordingly. A high-clearance 4WD with lockers and a solid skid plate is the minimum. Spring and fall are the windows; summer brings flash flood risk in the canyon bottom that is no joke whatsoever. Bring enough water for two days regardless of your planned stay — there’s no reliable source on route. The nearest fuel and services are in Blanding or Bluff, Utah. Dispersed camping along Comb Wash outside the canyon is permitted. What you’re walking away with here is firsthand contact with one of the most significant archaeological corridors in the American Southwest — the kind of place that recalibrates what matters.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 20 mi / 32.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5800 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Blanding, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Monticello Field Office / Bears Ears National Monument |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| 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 run this trail, or do I need lockers?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can get you started, but the technical rock sections and loose sand near the wash crossings make lockers a real asset, not a luxury. If you're running stock suspension and all-terrain tires without lockers, expect to work harder and potentially turn back on the gnarlier sections. A lifted rig with lockers front and rear is the right tool here.
When does the trail typically become impassable, and is it driveable in winter?
Winter is a hard no for most of this route — snow and ice on the canyon rim sections turn the sandstone into a skating rink, and the wash crossings can freeze unpredictably. Stick to March–May or September–November. Spring is stunning but watch for post-storm mud that'll bog you down for hours on the dirt approaches.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp here?
The trail runs through Bears Ears National Monument managed by BLM Monticello Field Office — no permit is currently required to drive or disperse camp, but fires are heavily restricted and cultural sites are federally protected under ARPA. Leave no trace rules are strictly enforced, and touching or disturbing ruins or artifacts can land you federal charges. Check with BLM Monticello before you go for any updated permit requirements.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The canyon rim approach above Arch Canyon has the most exposure — narrow shelf road, loose rock, and off-camber ledges with significant drop-offs on one side. The Comb Wash crossing can also get dicey depending on recent rain, with soft sandy bottom that'll bury a rig fast if you carry too much speed or too little momentum. Spotters help on the shelf sections; going solo means you're making judgment calls alone with zero cell service.
How far is the nearest gas, and is there reliable water on trail?
Blanding, UT is your last fuel stop — roughly 20–25 miles from the trailhead — and you need to top off there, full stop. Water crossings exist in Comb Wash and Arch Canyon, but treat everything you pull from the wash before drinking it. Carry at least 2 gallons per person per day; there are no guaranteed reliable water sources and you have zero cell service for the entire route if something goes sideways.
Trail track
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