Guides/Overland routes/Utah
Overland route24 midifficulty: easy

Reservation Ridge Scenic Backway

RegionUtahAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Reservation Ridge Scenic Backway — overland route near Duchesne, Utah, Utah
Jeff Williams — CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
24mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Stock high-clearance handles the route in dry conditions. Open to OHVs as well.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty.
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Reservation Ridge Scenic Backway is a 24-mile graded-gravel forest road that crosses a broad ridge between Duchesne and the Indian Canyon corridor on Ashley National Forest. The road accesses Avintaquin Campground and offers panoramic views of Avintaquin Canyon, the Wasatch Plateau, and Strawberry Valley. The route is open to highway vehicles, OHVs, mountain bikes, and hikers.

The surface is graded gravel suitable for stock high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions. The road closes seasonally with snow.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Seasonal closure. October to May most years.
  • Mud after rain. Forest soil turns slick.
  • Multi-use traffic. OHVs and mountain bikes share the road.
  • Cell service. Spotty.
  • Limited shade. The ridge has limited tree cover; carry water and sun protection.

Location

24 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 39.838, -110.763

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townDuchesne, Utah
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r04/ashley/recreation/epic-adventures/scenic-byways-and-backways
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Approx. location39.838, -110.763

Getting there

Directions

From Duchesne (east access). Take US-40 west, then north on US-191. Turn west on Forest Road 147 (signed Reservation Ridge) at the marked junction.

From Indian Canyon Scenic Byway (west access). From US-191 between Duchesne and Helper, watch for the Reservation Ridge sign and turn east onto FR-147.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The backway runs east-west between US-40 / US-191 (near Duchesne) and US-191 (Indian Canyon Scenic Byway). Ashley National Forest's Duchesne Ranger District manages the road. The route sits on a broad ridge with limited tree cover, making the long-range views the main draw.

Trail Overview

Twenty-four miles, graded gravel, point-to-point. The road runs along the ridge at roughly 8,000 to 9,000 feet, with multiple pullouts at the canyon rims. There are no technical obstacles, but the surface gets muddy after rain. Driving the full route takes one to two hours, longer with stops at the overlooks.

Where to Camp

Avintaquin Campground (USFS developed) sits along the road with vault toilets and seasonal water. Dispersed camping is allowed elsewhere on Ashley NF land off the main road.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Confirm road status with the Duchesne Ranger District (435-738-2482). Snow keeps it closed roughly October through May.
  • Multi-use traffic. Watch for OHVs, mountain bikes, and hikers.
  • Carry recovery gear; the road gets slick after rain.
  • Cell service is spotty. Bring an offline map.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Reservation Ridge Scenic Backway?
Reservation Ridge Scenic Backway is rated easy. The route runs 24 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Reservation Ridge Scenic Backway?
Stock high-clearance handles the route in dry conditions. Open to OHVs as well.
When is the best time to visit Reservation Ridge Scenic Backway?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Is there cell service at Reservation Ridge Scenic Backway?
Spotty.