Guides/Overland routes/Utah
Overland route70 midifficulty: moderate

Notom-Bullfrog Road

RegionUtahAgencyNational Park Service, Bureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Notom-Bullfrog Road — overland route near Hanksville, Utah, Utah
Photo by Greg Willis via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
70mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance vehicle. The first 10 miles are paved; the rest is well-maintained dirt that becomes muddy when wet. 4WD recommended in spring or after rain.
Best months
Apr, May, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
None on the dirt section
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Notom-Bullfrog Road runs 70 miles along the eastern flank of the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park, connecting Utah Highway 24 nine miles east of the Capitol Reef Visitor Center to the Burr Trail and Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell. The first 10 miles are paved; the rest is well-maintained dirt suitable for high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions but slick after rain.

The road accesses many of Capitol Reef's backcountry trails — Lower Muley Twist Canyon, Halls Creek Narrows, and the Strike Valley — and joins the Burr Trail at the bottom of the Muley Twist switchbacks. Driving the full length without stops takes 3 to 4 hours; with backcountry stops, plan a full day.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Mud. The dirt section turns slick after rain.
  • Heat. Summer temperatures over 100°F in the lower elevations.
  • Flash flooding. Halls Creek and the Waterpocket drainages flood quickly.
  • No cell coverage.
  • Wildlife. Cattle and mule deer on the road.
  • Park rules. Capitol Reef NP rules apply inside the park boundary.
  • Limited turnouts. Single-lane sections; meeting oncoming traffic requires courtesy.

Location

70 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 38.193, -111.183

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyNational Park Service, Bureau of Land Management
Nearest townHanksville, Utah
Websitewww.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/notombullfrog.htm
ClosedJul, Aug, Dec, Jan, Feb
Approx. location38.193, -111.183

Getting there

Directions

Northern access. From the Capitol Reef Visitor Center on Utah-24, drive 9 miles east. Notom Road branches south off Highway 24.

Southern access. From Bullfrog Marina on State Route 276, drive west on the Burr Trail. The Notom-Bullfrog Road branches north at the Burr Trail switchback junction.

Approximate northern entrance coordinates: 38.193° N, -111.183° W.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The road runs in Wayne and Garfield counties along the eastern edge of Capitol Reef National Park. Hanksville on Utah-24 anchors the closest service town to the northern access; Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell anchors the southern end. The Waterpocket Fold — a 100-mile-long monocline that defines Capitol Reef — runs parallel to the road its entire length, with thousands of feet of sandstone exposed on the western horizon.

Trail Overview

From Highway 24 east of the Capitol Reef Visitor Center, the road runs south as paved blacktop for the first 10 miles. The pavement ends; the road continues as well-maintained dirt and gravel through Capitol Reef's Cathedral Valley unit (briefly) before running along the fold's eastern flank. Multiple backcountry trailheads branch off — Strike Valley Overlook, Lower Muley Twist, Halls Creek Narrows. The road meets the Burr Trail at the base of the Muley Twist switchbacks. From there it continues south past the Cedar Mesa Campground and on to Bullfrog Marina.

Points of Interest

  • Strike Valley Overlook trailhead. A short hike to a panoramic view of the Waterpocket Fold's interior.
  • Lower Muley Twist Canyon. A long hiking route that winds through a narrow slot in the fold.
  • Halls Creek Narrows. A demanding off-trail hike through a rugged drainage.
  • Burr Trail switchbacks junction. Where the Burr Trail's dirt section ends and connects to Notom-Bullfrog.
  • Cedar Mesa Campground. Capitol Reef NP's primitive campground in the southern section.
  • Waterpocket Fold views. Visible the entire length on the western horizon.
  • Bullfrog Marina. Lake Powell access at the southern end.

Where to Camp

Cedar Mesa Campground inside Capitol Reef NP has 5 primitive first-come sites with vault toilets and no fees. Dispersed camping is allowed on the BLM portions outside the park with the 14-day stay limit. Sandy Ranch Campground sits near the northern access on a private parcel. Hanksville and Bullfrog have commercial RV options.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Visit spring or fall. Summer temperatures top 100°F.
  • Check road status with Capitol Reef NP before driving. The dirt section closes after rain.
  • Carry water; there is no potable water on the road.
  • Cell coverage is absent.
  • Top off fuel in Hanksville or Bullfrog. The middle of the road has no fuel.
  • Capitol Reef NP entry fee applies inside the park.
  • Watch for cattle and wildlife on the road.
  • Stay on designated routes. Off-road driving in Capitol Reef is illegal.
  • The Muley Twist switchbacks at the southern end (on the Burr Trail) are tight; large vehicles should turn around.
  • Contact Capitol Reef National Park at 435-425-3791 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Notom-Bullfrog Road?
Notom-Bullfrog Road is rated moderate. The route runs 70 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Notom-Bullfrog Road?
High-clearance vehicle. The first 10 miles are paved; the rest is well-maintained dirt that becomes muddy when wet. 4WD recommended in spring or after rain.
When is the best time to visit Notom-Bullfrog Road?
The best months are Apr, May, Sep, Oct. Avoid Jul, Aug, Dec, Jan, Feb.
Is there cell service at Notom-Bullfrog Road?
None on the dirt section