Lonesome Highway — Cisco Desert Road to Westwater Canyon Rim via Bitter Creek and I-70 Frontage
Ghost town to canyon rim across Utah's forgotten desert.
Cisco, Utah used to be a real town — a railroad water stop and cattle shipping point on the old Denver and Rio Grande Western line. Now it’s a crumbling ghost grid sitting in the middle of one of the most wide-open desert landscapes in the Colorado Plateau. The route heads south and west from the Cisco exit off I-70 across the Bitter Creek badlands, through Book Cliffs foothills, and eventually pushes toward the BLM lands above Westwater Canyon — where the Colorado River cuts a black Precambrian gorge tight enough to swallow daylight. The canyon rim is an earned destination: you pick your way through sandy two-tracks, cross alkaline flats that’ll suck you down if it’s rained recently, and arrive at an edge that drops hundreds of feet to the river below.
Rated moderate to difficult depending on conditions — wet weather turns the Mancos shale sections into axle-deep mud traps. A high-clearance 4WD is the minimum; lockers help in the soft sections. No developed water anywhere on this route, so carry plenty. BLM land throughout — no permit required and dispersed camping is fair game. Best run April through May and September through November; summer heat is brutal and winter mud is unforgiving. Moab is your fuel and resupply point, about 45 miles south.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 42 mi / 67.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Best season | April-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Moab, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Moab Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Moab Field Office |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD handles it fine under dry conditions. Skid plates are worth having given the rocky sections near Bitter Creek, but a lifted rig isn't required.
What months should I avoid this trail?
Avoid December through March — desert clay turns to impassable mud when wet, and snow is possible above 5,000 ft. Summer (June–August) is rideable but brutal heat and flash flood risk make April–May and September–November the smart windows.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp here?
No permit required for vehicle travel or dispersed camping on BLM land along this route. Standard Leave No Trace rules apply — camp 200 ft from water sources and existing roads. Confirm current conditions with the BLM Moab Field Office before you go.
What's the hardest section and what does it actually involve?
The approach to the Westwater Canyon rim is the most demanding stretch — loose sand, embedded rock, and eroded two-track that can swallow momentum if you're not paying attention. Nothing technically extreme, but it punishes complacency and soft tires.
Is there any water or gas available along the route?
There is no water or gas on this trail — zero. Fuel up in Moab before you leave and carry all your water. The nearest reliable resupply is back in Moab, roughly 50+ miles from the far end of the route.
Trail track
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