Getting Oriented
The Burr Trail crosses Garfield and Wayne counties in southern Utah. Boulder anchors the western terminus on State Route 12 (the Highway 12 Scenic Byway, an All-American Road). Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell anchors the eastern. Between them, the trail crosses some of the most geologically distinctive terrain in the United States: pale Navajo sandstone dunes near Boulder, the Waterpocket Fold, and the open desert sloping to the Colorado River.
The Notom-Bullfrog Road branches north from the Burr Trail inside Capitol Reef and provides an alternate exit to Highway 24 east of the visitor center.
Trail Overview
From Boulder, the road heads east as paved Burr Trail Road through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The pavement passes The Gulch, The Lampstand, and several pullouts with views into the slot-canyon country. Inside Capitol Reef the pavement ends; the road switchbacks down through Muley Twist Canyon — a series of tight unpaved turns dropping 800 feet into the Waterpocket Fold. From the bottom of the switchbacks, the road runs east as graded gravel and connects with the Notom-Bullfrog Road. Continuing east drops to Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell.
Points of Interest
- The Gulch. A scenic side road north off the Burr Trail, accessing slot canyons.
- The Lampstand. A distinctive sandstone formation visible from the road.
- Muley Twist Canyon switchbacks. The technical heart of the route — eight switchbacks dropping through the Waterpocket Fold.
- Strike Valley. The open valley east of the switchbacks running parallel to the fold.
- Notom-Bullfrog Road junction. Where the route splits to Highway 24 (north) or Bullfrog Marina (south).
- Bullfrog Marina. Lake Powell access at the eastern end.
- Boulder. Hells Backbone Grill and small-town hospitality at the western end.
Where to Camp
No developed campgrounds along the Burr Trail itself. Capitol Reef NP's Cedar Mesa Campground is on the Notom-Bullfrog Road portion. Calf Creek Campground sits on Highway 12 between Boulder and Escalante. Dispersed camping is allowed on most BLM land in Grand Staircase-Escalante outside Capitol Reef NP, with the standard 14-day stay limit.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Visit spring or fall. Summer temperatures top 100°F at the lower elevations.
- Check NPS for current Capitol Reef road conditions before driving the switchbacks. The dirt section closes after heavy rain.
- Carry water; there is no potable water on the trail.
- Cell coverage is absent on most of the route.
- Top off fuel in Boulder, Hanksville, or Bullfrog. The middle of the trail has no fuel.
- The Muley Twist switchbacks are unpaved and tight. Trailers and large RVs should plan to turn around at the boundary.
- Capitol Reef NP entry fee or America the Beautiful pass required for the park section.
- Watch for cattle and wildlife on the road.
- Contact Capitol Reef National Park at 435-425-3791 or BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante at 435-826-5499 for current conditions.
