Burr Trail — Boulder to Bullfrog via the Waterpocket Fold Switchbacks
Slickrock canyons and the Waterpocket Fold switchbacks.
John Atlantic Burr ran cattle through this country in the 1880s, and the road that bears his name still threads some of the best scenery in southern Utah. From Boulder the Burr Trail climbs through Long Canyon between towering Wingate cliffs before the pavement ends at the Capitol Reef boundary. Then comes the main event, the Burr Trail Switchbacks, a steep dirt run that drops down the face of the Waterpocket Fold. From the bottom you reach the Notom-Bullfrog Road, and the Henry Mountains and Lake Powell’s Bullfrog Basin come into view. It’s a big-sky drive, with red rock all around you and not much traffic between the pullouts.
It’s rated Moderate. In dry weather most high-clearance vehicles can handle it, but 4WD is recommended, and the switchbacks are steep and tight enough that large trailers and big RVs should skip them. After rain the clay turns slick, and flash floods can close the road. Plan for a long day, or tack on a night at a dispersed site on BLM land or a campground at Bullfrog. Fuel and supplies are only in Boulder and Bullfrog, and there’s no cell signal for most of the route. Check with the NPS or BLM for current conditions and permits for backcountry camping. If you want canyon country without the Moab crowds, this is the drive. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 66 mi / 106.2 km |
| Duration | 5-7 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6800 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance, 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Boulder, Utah |
| Land manager | National Park Service (Capitol Reef NP, Glen Canyon NRA) and BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Capitol Reef National Park |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or similar SUV drive the Burr Trail?
Yes, in dry conditions. The route is rated moderate, and a stock high-clearance SUV handles the graded dirt and the Waterpocket Fold switchbacks without trouble. 4WD earns its keep when the clay turns slick after rain, and the NPS advises against trailers and large RVs on the switchbacks.
Is the Burr Trail open in winter, and when should I avoid it?
It's not gated, but snow and ice can make the switchbacks and the unpaved stretches impassable or dangerous. Spring (April-June) and fall (September-October) are best. Avoid it after heavy rain, since wet clay is greasy, and during summer monsoon season (July-September), when flash floods run through the washes.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive the Burr Trail?
No permit is needed to drive it, and the road itself has no fee. Overnight backcountry camping inside Capitol Reef National Park requires a free permit from the park, and Glen Canyon NRA and BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante have their own camping rules. Check current rules with each agency before you go.
What's the hardest part of the Burr Trail?
The Waterpocket Fold switchbacks, a steep, narrow dirt descent with tight turns and a drop-off on one side. It's not technical, but it's slow going, and passing oncoming traffic takes patience. Washboard and loose rock elsewhere along the unpaved sections add to the rattle.
How should I plan fuel, water, and communication for the Burr Trail?
There's no cell service anywhere on the route, so download your maps and tell someone your plan. Fuel is available in Boulder and at Bullfrog, and the 66-mile run is well within a normal tank, but fill up at the start anyway. Carry all the water you'll need, as there's none on the trail. Dispersed camping is available along the route, subject to each land manager's rules.
Trail track
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