Hell’s Backbone Road — Boulder to Escalante via Posey Lake and Hell’s Backbone Bridge
Cross the knife-edge bridge they built in 1933
The Civilian Conservation Corps built this road in 1933 and the bridge in the middle of it still makes drivers brake. Hell’s Backbone Bridge spans a narrow rock fin with Sand Creek on one side and Death Hollow on the other, and the drop either side is the kind you notice. The road leaves Boulder on Utah 12, climbs through ponderosa and aspen into the Dixie National Forest, and tops out around 9,200 feet. Posey Lake makes a good stop. The route then continues down toward Escalante with long views over the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness and the slickrock canyon country beyond.
This is one of the easier backcountry drives in southern Utah. In dry weather a careful driver in a high-clearance car can do it, and a 4WD is a good idea if it has been wet or you are carrying a load. After rain the clay goes slick and ruts form, and heavy snow closes the high section from about November until late May. Check with the Escalante Ranger District before you go. There is no fuel on the road, so fill up in Boulder or Escalante. Cell service is nonexistent for most of the drive. Dispersed camping is available in the national forest, and Posey Lake has a developed campground. You get a front-row view of one of the Southwest’s great engineering gambles, and cool air in a hot desert state. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 3-4 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9200 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD (4WD when wet) |
| Nearest town | Boulder, Utah |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service, Dixie National Forest (Escalante Ranger District) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Dixie National Forest |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Subaru handle Hell's Backbone Road?
Yes. Dry conditions only need high-clearance 2WD, so a stock 4Runner is more than enough and a Subaru with decent tires usually manages too. After rain the clay gets slick and 4WD becomes worth having.
When is Hell's Backbone Road open, and does it close for winter?
Plan on June through October. At 9,200 feet the road holds snow and is generally impassable in winter and early spring. Check with the Escalante Ranger District before going in late spring or late fall.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Hell's Backbone Road?
No permit or fee is needed to drive it. It runs through Dixie National Forest, where dispersed camping is free under standard Forest Service rules, and fire restrictions can apply in dry months. Posey Lake has a developed campground that charges a fee.
How sketchy is the Hell's Backbone Bridge, and what's the hardest part of the drive?
The bridge is the highlight. It's a narrow span with steep drops into Sand Creek and Death Hollow on both sides, but it's solid and the road is easy. The real difficulty is the narrow, exposed shelf sections and washboard, plus slick clay after rain, so take it slow and be ready to pull over for oncoming vehicles.
Is there cell service, fuel, or water along the route?
There's no cell service on the road and no fuel or services between Boulder and Escalante. Fill up beforehand and carry all the water you'll need, plus a paper map or offline navigation. Treat any water from Posey Lake before drinking it.
Trail track
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