Red Cloud Loop Scenic Backway is a 40-mile graded-dirt forest road north of Vernal that climbs through Ashley National Forest into the southern flank of the Uintas. The loop crosses sandstone canyons, conifer and aspen forest, and ridge-top viewpoints with sightlines into the High Uintas Wilderness.
The surface is graded gravel suitable for high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions. Mud after rain or snowmelt requires 4WD. The driving window is mid-June through October most years.
Approx. location 40.678, -109.501
| Agency | U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Vernal, Utah |
| Website | www.fs.usda.gov/r04/ashley/recreation/epic-adventures/scenic-byways-and-backways |
| Closed | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Approx. location | 40.678, -109.501 |
From Vernal. Take US-191 north out of town. Turn west on Forest Road 018 (signed Red Cloud Loop) at the marked junction. The loop returns to US-191 a few miles north.
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The loop sits north of Vernal, on Ashley National Forest's Vernal Ranger District. The route climbs from US-191 through the Diamond Mountain area into the southern Uintas, with multiple side spurs to overlooks and trailheads. The full loop returns to US-191 north of Vernal, with optional connecting routes to the Flaming Gorge–Uintas Byway and Reservation Ridge Backway.
Forty miles of graded gravel, loop. Elevation gains roughly 3,000 feet from the Vernal access at 5,500 feet to the high ridge at over 8,500 feet. The road crosses several drainages and offers turnouts at the major canyon rims. There are no technical hazards in dry conditions, but the high-elevation segments hold snow into June.
Dispersed camping is allowed on Ashley NF land along the loop with the standard 16-day stay limit. Iron Springs and East Park Reservoir Campgrounds offer developed sites with vault toilets. Dry Fork is a popular dispersed area with established sites.