Comb Ridge Road — Highway 163 to Butler Wash via Comb Ridge Spine
A sandstone spine, ancient ruins, and zero cell bars.
Comb Ridge is a 90-mile-long hogback monocline that rips across southeast Utah like a cracked spine — one of the most dramatic geological features in the Colorado Plateau. The two-track road that runs along and through it connects Highway 163 south of Bluff to the Butler Wash area near Blanding, weaving between Cedar Mesa sandstone fins and past dozens of documented Ancestral Puebloan ruins sites. Comb Wash Road drops into the wash itself and follows it north, while side tracks scramble up onto the ridge where the views across Bears Ears are genuinely staggering — Navajo Mountain to the south, the Abajo Mountains to the north, and the broken red canyon country stretching east toward Monument Valley. This is Bears Ears National Monument country; treat the ruins with respect and leave everything exactly as you find it.
The main Comb Wash Road is moderate — manageable in a stock high-clearance 2WD in dry conditions, but the spur tracks up onto the ridge proper require 4WD and clearance. The entire corridor becomes a slick mess when wet; the clay-heavy soils will turn your tires into useless discs. No permit required to drive the road, but you’re in Bears Ears NM — registered camping areas only in many sections, and ground-disturbing off-trail vehicle travel is prohibited. Fuel in Bluff or Blanding. Water in Butler Wash is unreliable — bring your own. Best season is spring and fall. This is the kind of place that makes you feel small in the best possible way.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 48 mi / 77.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5800 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Bluff, Utah |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — 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 4Runner or Wrangler run Comb Ridge Road without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a 4Runner or Wrangler handles this trail fine under dry conditions. The ridge sections have loose rock and embedded sandstone that reward decent ground clearance — don't attempt it in a stock crossover or 2WD truck.
When is Comb Ridge Road passable, and what happens if it rains?
Best windows are March–May and September–November. The dirt and sand sections turn to slick, axle-sucking mud when wet — this trail closes itself down fast after rain. Check forecasts for the Bears Ears area before you leave Bluff; there's no turning back easy once you're on the spine.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on Comb Ridge Road?
No permit required to drive the route. Dispersed camping is allowed under BLM Bears Ears National Monument rules — camp 200 feet from the road, water sources, and cultural sites. No fees as of now, but Bears Ears regulations have shifted with monument boundary changes, so check current BLM guidance before you go.
What's the hardest section, and what should I actually expect?
The trickiest stretches are the rocky ridge segments where the shelf narrows and off-camber angles get real — nothing extreme, but sloppy lines will scrape rock or drop a tire off the edge. At moderate difficulty, it's more about sustained attention than one single gnarly obstacle; sand washes near Butler Wash can also swallow momentum if you're not carrying speed.
Is there any water along the 48-mile route, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are water crossings on the route but treat all surface water — don't count on it as a reliable source without a filter. Gas up in Bluff before you start; it's the nearest town to the Highway 163 trailhead and the last sure bet for fuel before committing to this corridor.
Trail track
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