Cottonwood Canyon Road — Tooele County Salt Flats to Simpson Springs via Pony Circuit
Bryce to Kanab through empty mesa and canyon country.
The Long Valley Back Country Byway runs roughly 50 miles through Kane and Garfield counties between US-89 near Kanab and the southern rim country above Bryce Canyon. You’re threading through juniper and ponderosa forest on the high benches, dropping into red-walled side canyons, and popping out onto open mesa tops with views clear to the Vermilion Cliffs and beyond. The road passes through the tiny towns of Alton and Glendale and skirts the western flank of the Sevier Plateau — country that sees a fraction of the traffic hitting Bryce or Zion. A key waypoint is the Skutumpah Road junction near Kanab, where you can link south into the Grand Staircase or continue northwest along the valley floor on maintained gravel. The road surface ranges from smooth gravel to washboarded two-track depending on recent weather and maintenance cycles.
High clearance is recommended but a careful stock SUV driver can manage this in dry conditions — it’s one of Utah’s more accessible back-country byways. Wet weather turns sections into greasy clay that will stop even seasoned rigs. Best season is May through October; afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August and can render the clay sections impassable fast. No permit required. Kanab or Panguitch are your fuel and resupply stops. Dispersed camping is available on BLM land along the route. Cell service is nearly nonexistent for most of the drive.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 50 mi / 80.5 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7800 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High clearance recommended |
| Nearest town | Kanab, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Kanab Field Office |
| 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 | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Cottonwood Canyon Road without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance truck or SUV handles this route fine under dry conditions. Lifted rigs aren't required, but low-clearance crossovers and sedans will take damage on the rougher sections near the canyon breaks.
What happens to this road when it rains?
Cottonwood Canyon Road turns into axle-deep mud when wet — the clay surface becomes impassable almost instantly. Check weather for the full region before you leave, not just Kanab, since storms rolling off the mesa can close the road for days.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to drive this route?
No permit or fee required — it's BLM land managed out of the Kanab Field Office. Dispersed camping is free; just follow standard Leave No Trace and stay 200 feet from water sources and the road.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The roughest miles are through the canyon narrows where the road drops off the mesa — expect loose rock, embedded ledges, and tight shelf road with minimal room for error. Nothing technically extreme, but it demands attention and moderate off-road experience, especially if you're towing.
Is there any water or gas between the start near Bryce and Kanab?
No services exist on the route — zero gas, no potable water, and no cell service the entire 50 miles. Top off fuel in Bryce or Tropic before you drop in, carry at least two gallons of water per person, and treat any natural sources you find.
Trail track
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