The 57 mile, graded dirt and gravel road follows the general route of the 1879-80 Mormon pioneers who traveled to the Colorado River and had to lower their wagons over 1500' down a 'road' they had constructed in the sheer, cliff walls. Today the Hole-in-the-Rock ends at Lake Powell and it's possible to hike down the narrow canyon. 4WD is required to reach the end as well as the numerous side roads leading to spectacular hikes in the canyons of the Escalante River.

The road starts out traversing the rolling, high desert country of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. It consists mostly of open rangelands and stands of pinyon & juniper, but becomes increasingly more dramatic the farther south you travel. The rugged escarpment of the Kaiparowits Plateau to the west gets closer and the deep gullies and washes of the canyons become more pronounced as you enter slickrock country.

Other highlights along the road include Devil's Garden (designated an Outstanding Natural Area by the BLM), a fascinating land of sandstone formations and sculptured rock that you can walk in, on & around. There is also a picnic area and restrooms here. Farther down, Dance Hall Rock is a largemound of Navajo sandstone eroded into a natural amphitheater where the pioneers stopped to rest (and dance) before their southward journey.

All "major trailheads" into the wilderness canyons and scenic splendor of the Escalante River to the east (Harris Wash, Egypt, Dry Fork, Coyote Gulch, Forty Mile Ridge, etc.) are sign posted, and although they are hidden from view on the main stretch of the road, the convoluted and desolate canyons are nothing short of magnificent. Come see what Mother Nature has formed over the years-soaring arches, breathtaking colors, spectacular slot canyons and starry skies. Experienced guides are available for a day hike or multi-day backpack trek-Grand Staircase Adventure Guides.

Access this one-of-a-kind road from the Posey Lake Backway, or off Hwy 12 west of Boulder. It was built by the CCC in the 1930's and connected the two towns of Escalante and Boulder before the modern Hwy 12 was constructed. (Boulder was the last town in the lower 48 to receive their mail by mules.) Eye-popping views down into Death Hollow will reward the brave as you travel the 45 miles of this graded, gravel road.
Head east from the Posey Lake Scenic Backway and soon you will pass the Blue Spruce Campground with a delightful creek running through it. Most of this area is thickly forested, but the views will open up and you can gaze down into the canyon areas of The Box, and farther along, Death Hollow Wilderness Area. The high point of the drive (literally and figuratively) is the Hells' Backbone Bridge built over a crevasse of a narrow ridge as wide as the road itself. There is a spot to pull over and take photos of the dramatic scenery 700' below you. Farther along the road passes through some ranching areas before connecting with Hwy 12 near Boulder.

Trailheads of the Upper Box, Death Hollow, Old Boulder Mail Trail and Sand Creek can be accessed from here.

Starting in the town of Boulder off Hwy 12, the Burr trail crosses the GSENM, Capitol Reef National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on its way to Bullfrog Marina on the shores of Lake Powell. It was named for an early rancher who built the trail to move his cattle from the Aquarius Plateau down to the Colorado River in winter.

The first part of the 66 mile route is paved, but it changes to graded dirt at Capitol Reef. You will pass a small campground at Deer Creek before you enter the awe-inspiring scenery through Long Canyon and gaze up at the sheer, 500' sandstone walls on either side of the road. Continue along and you will come to a spectacular overlook of the Circle Cliffs with views of the Henry Mountains in the distance. Take time to get out and enjoy the view before dropping into the technicolor world of the Circle Cliffs amphitheater. (Some have called this backway the most scenic of them all.) As you drive through the basin it's easy to appreciate the raw beauty as well as the geology and history of the area. After crossing over the canyons near Muley Twist, the switchbacks winding through the Waterpocket Fold come into view below. They can be challenging, but are a very popular 4WD adventure. The Waterpocket Fold is a huge, flattened S-shape fold wrinkled into the earth's crust that runs nearly 100 miles through Capitol Reef NP. Beyond, you have the choice of following the Burr Trail down to Bullfrog Basin or head north on the (dirt) Notom Road 35 miles to SR 24.

There are many stopping-off points for hiking into the renowned canyons of the eastern section of the Escalante River Basin. Trailheads can be accessed just off the Burr Trail- The Gulch, Deer Creek; or off the Wolverine Loop Road- Silver Creek Falls, Little Death Hollow, & Horse Canyon, but whichever you choose, discovery and adventure await.

Many sections of this graded dirt and gravel road can be rough and rutted, just perfect for a 4WD adventure. Starting off in Escalante this Scenic Backway heads south for 78 miles to the town of Big Water while crossing the rugged landscape of the Kaiparowits Plateau. Anasazi Indians built granaries for food storage and secluded dwellings along this route and their ruins, including petroglyphs and pictographs, left behind can still be seen.

The many scenic vistas along the way include Bryce Canyon, The Table Cliffs, and Boulder Mountain. Farther down will bring breathtaking views of Lake Powell, Navajo Mountain, and Fifty Mile Mountain.
This remote section of the Monument is rarely traveled, but one gains an appreciation of the vastness and solitude of the Grand Staircase. Smoke from the underground coal fires that have been smoldering for hundreds of years is sometimes visible, giving the road its name.

This is a narrow, single lane, dirt road with pullouts that starts at the Posey Lake Road and travels 32 miles to the Widtsoe ghost town, an old farming and ranching community. Tall forests of spruce and fir, cool air, open meadows, secluded lakes, and great views characterize this route across the Table Cliffs Plateau on the Dixie Natl. Forest. After leaving Posey Lake, the road takes a sharp turn south and continues on across the plateau for some great wildlife viewing. Stay on the trail as it begins to descend for some uniquely western views across John's Valley to Mount Dutton, then down to explore Widtsoe. When you head back up you can continue east to Escalante through Main Canyon for a great loop ride.




This colorful backway starts off Hwy 12 at Cannonville and is paved for the first 10 miles to Kodachrome Basin State Park, then becomes graded dirt as it traverses 46 miles through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National. Monument to US 89. Don't attempt to drive this road when wet, or if a storm is imminent, as it's impassable. Starting off at Kodachrome Basin, there are some short hikes, a picnic area, restrooms and a campground at this photogenic State Park with its strangely eroded, rock formations and petrified springs. Travel another 8 miles to Grosvenor Arch, a nice, double arch you can hike up to.

The sandstone colors are particularly striking as the road parallels the 'Cockscomb', a rugged upthrust in the earth's crust, and access to the Paria River is convenient as the road follows it for part of the drive on its way south.

Hikes that can be found here include the Cottonwood Wash Narrows and Hackberry Canyon.

For some cooling off in the summer months head north out of Escalante and the scenery and ecosystems change dramatically from the canyon and desert country below. As you travel higher and higher, the rolling, sage-covered hills turn to pinyon & juniper woodland, ponderosa pine, and then to scrub oak, aspen forests, and finally to dense stands of fir and spruce before topping out in large meadows at 11,000'. This Scenic Backway covers 40 miles as it passes through the Dixie National Forest on its way to Bicknell at SR 24 (on the other side of Boulder Mountain). It is filled with excellent fishing, camping, ATV riding and wildlife viewing. Bears, coyotes, pronghorn (antelope), and many species of birds are just a few to look for, as well as numerous mule deer.

The road starts out paralleling Pine Creek and the exposed rock formations (that seem to jut straight out of the ground) of the Antone Ridge to the east, then continues up to the junction with Hell's Backbone Road. Continue on to the developed campground at Posey Lake for relaxation and fishing, or to the top of the plateau for gorgeous sunrise and sunset views. The numerous dirt, side roads lead to plentiful, fishing lakes and more back-country exploring. Don't miss the fall colors on display every Autumn. Also provides access to trails on the Lower Box & Great Western Trails.

•  Click Here to view a detailed Map of all OHV / ATV Trails in Garfield County.
•  Click Here to view Escalante's Treasure Map.

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