Getting Oriented
The byway sits in the Mojave-to-Great-Basin transition zone, traversing the Beaver Dam Mountains and the wash below. The route runs roughly north-south between Old Highway 91 west of St. George and Old Highway 91 north of Mesquite, Nevada. It was designated a Utah Scenic Backway in 1990.
Trail Overview
The surface is dirt with intermittent maintenance, climbing the east flank of the Beaver Dam Mountains through Bulldog Canyon, crossing Bulldog Pass, and descending into the wash. Most drivers cover the 18.9 miles in 1 to 2 hours; the road's quality varies year to year and storm to storm. The corridor borders the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness on the east and crosses the Woodbury Desert Study Area on the south end.
Points of Interest
- Bulldog Pass — the saddle in the Beaver Dam Mountains that gives the route its alignment.
- Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area — protects the ecological transition zone between the Mojave Desert and the Great Basin.
- Woodbury Desert Study Area — a long-running research site for Mojave desert tortoise habitat.
- Joshua trees at the northeastern edge of their range, denser near the Nevada border.
- Burn scars from past wildland fires across portions of the route.
Where to Camp
Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land bordering the byway. The Beaver Dam Wash NCA holds 39 numbered first-come dispersed sites with steel fire rings. Stays are limited to 14 days in any 28-day period. Campfires are allowed only in the steel rings, and the BLM requires fires be dead out before leaving the site.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Carry food, water, and recovery gear. There are no services on the route.
- Check the forecast. Storm runoff cuts ruts and pushes washes across the road; the surface becomes impassable in heavy rain.
- Cell coverage is unreliable. Share your plan with someone before driving.
- Stay on the established road through the Woodbury Desert Study Area to protect desert tortoise habitat.
- St. George Field Office: 435-688-3200.
