Guides/Overland routes/Utah
Overland route35 midifficulty: easy

Hell's Backbone Road

RegionUtahAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Hell's Backbone Road — overland route near Escalante, Utah, Utah
Photo by Kevin S. Abel / U.S. Forest Service via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
35mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Loop
Vehicle
Standard high-clearance vehicle in dry conditions; muddy or snowy stretches require 4WD.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
None on the loop interior; service returns near Highway 12.
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Hell's Backbone Road is a 35-mile gravel loop on Dixie National Forest that connects the towns of Escalante and Boulder via the upper Aquarius Plateau, an alternative to the paved Highway 12 between them. The Civilian Conservation Corps cut the road in 1933 to give the two communities their first reliable winter connection; the namesake bridge spans a narrow ridge between two slot-canyon-deep drainages of the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness.

The surface is graded gravel suitable for high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions, with two signed entrances off Highway 12. The Escalante entrance starts in town; the Boulder entrance is six miles east. Most drivers run the loop in two to three hours, though the bridge crossing alone is worth a longer stop.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Weather closures. Snow closes the loop from late November to April most years. Spring melt and summer thunderstorms can wash out steep grades.
  • Bridge crossing. Hell's Backbone Bridge is one lane with sheer drops on both sides. Use the pullouts and yield to oncoming traffic.
  • Steep, exposed grades. Several sections have no guardrail and significant drop-offs. Drive with caution near the cliff edges.
  • No services. Carry water, fuel, and a spare tire. The loop has no gas, water, or cell coverage.
  • Rapidly changing weather. The Aquarius Plateau is high enough to draw thunderstorms in summer and snow squalls in fall.

Location

35 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 37.846, -111.612

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townEscalante, Utah
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/recreation/hells-backbone-road
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb
Approx. location37.846, -111.612

Getting there

Directions

From Escalante (south entrance). From town, turn north on 300 East and follow signs for Hell's Backbone Road / Forest Road 153. The pavement ends within a mile.

From Boulder (north entrance). Six miles east of Boulder on Highway 12, turn north on Hell's Backbone Road (Forest Road 153). The road climbs steadily up the Aquarius Plateau.

Most drivers prefer the Escalante-to-Boulder direction so the bridge crossing comes after the climb.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The loop sits between Escalante and Boulder in south-central Utah, climbing from roughly 6,000 feet in town up to over 9,000 feet on the Aquarius Plateau before dropping back to Highway 12. Dixie National Forest's Escalante Ranger District manages the road; the BLM's Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument lies south, and Capitol Reef National Park sits an hour east via Boulder.

Trail Overview

Thirty-five miles of graded gravel, loop. The road climbs through pinyon-juniper into ponderosa pine and aspen, crests near 9,200 feet, and follows a high spine before dropping into Boulder. The bridge itself is a narrow span between two gorges that drop hundreds of feet on either side — a one-lane crossing with pullouts on both ends. There are no technical obstacles, but the entire loop is weather-dependent. Snow closes it in winter and rain turns the steepest grades slick.

Points of Interest

  • Hell's Backbone Bridge. The route's namesake. A 1930s steel-truss span between the North Fork and Sand Creek drainages with overlooks into the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness.
  • Box-Death Hollow Wilderness. 25,000 acres of slot canyons immediately south of the road; foot access only.
  • Blue Spruce Campground. USFS developed campground on the loop's northern arm with vault toilets and seasonal water.
  • Posey Lake. Small lake on a spur off the main loop, with another USFS campground.
  • Hell's Backbone Grill. Award-winning farm-to-table restaurant in Boulder, a popular post-drive stop.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on Dixie NF land off the main road. Blue Spruce Campground offers developed sites with vault toilets and water during the summer season. Calf Creek Campground, a few miles south on Highway 12, has additional developed sites near the Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Check road status before driving. The Escalante Interagency Visitor Center (435-826-5499) holds current condition info, and the loop closes routinely from late November through April.
  • The bridge itself is one-lane. Use the pullouts on either end to wait if you see oncoming traffic.
  • No fuel or potable water on the loop. Top off in Escalante or Boulder before starting.
  • Cell service drops out fast once you leave Highway 12.
  • Combine with Highway 12 (Scenic Byway 12, the Boulder-to-Escalante segment) for a 70-mile loop with one stretch dirt and one stretch paved.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Hell's Backbone Road?
Hell's Backbone Road is rated easy. The route runs 35 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Hell's Backbone Road?
Standard high-clearance vehicle in dry conditions; muddy or snowy stretches require 4WD.
When is the best time to visit Hell's Backbone Road?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb.
Is there cell service at Hell's Backbone Road?
None on the loop interior; service returns near Highway 12.