Burr Trail Road

The Burr Trail drops 800 feet in a series of hairpin switchbacks carved into the Waterpocket Fold, where Mormon pioneer John Atlantic Burr first pushed cattle through this impossible terrain in the 1870s. The 66-mile route connects Capitol Reef National Park to Glen Canyon, threading through Long Canyon’s narrow slot between towering Navajo sandstone walls that barely allow sunlight to reach the road. The notorious switchbacks section—eight tight turns dropping into the canyon—demands careful throttle control and spotting on the outside turns.

Stock high-clearance vehicles handle the graded portions fine, but the switchbacks require confidence and momentum management. Best driven spring through fall when weather permits; winter snow can make the higher elevations impassable. No permits required for the road itself, though camping requires dispersed camping rules. Carry extra water and fuel—services are 50+ miles apart. The payoff is some of Utah’s most dramatic red rock scenery and access to remote slot canyons that see a fraction of the crowds plaguing other Utah destinations.