Guides/Overland routes/Utah
Overland route100 mi2,000 ft gaindifficulty: moderate

Skyline Drive (Utah)

RegionUtahAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Skyline Drive (Utah) — overland route near Fairview, Utah, Utah
Photo by Dennis Adams / Federal Highway Administration via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Trail vitals7 facts
Length
100mi
Elev gain
2,000ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance vehicle. The first 27 miles are graded gravel suitable for any vehicle; the southern sections require 4WD with low range, especially after rain.
Best months
Jul, Aug, Sep
Cell coverage
Spotty
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Skyline Drive is a roughly 100-mile route along the spine of central Utah's Wasatch Plateau in Manti-La Sal National Forest, running at elevations from 9,000 to nearly 11,000 feet. The road is one of the highest extended drives in America — the highest point reaches 10,897 feet — and most of the year it's impassable to even 4WD vehicles because of snow. The Civilian Conservation Corps connected parts of the original wagon trail in the 1930s into the modern Skyline Drive.

The northern 27 miles (Tucker to State Route 31) are graded and suitable for any vehicle in dry conditions. South of SR-31, the road becomes rougher and requires 4WD, especially after rain. Most travelers split the route into multiple days, camping at the various Forest Service campgrounds along the route. Open July through September depending on snowpack.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Snow closure. Most of the year. Heavy snow is common into late June.
  • Mud. The southern sections become impassable after rain.
  • Lightning. Summer afternoon thunderstorms hit the high plateau.
  • Cell coverage. Spotty.
  • Wildlife. Cattle, mule deer, elk.
  • Altitude. Sustained driving at 10,000+ feet.
  • No services. Long stretches without fuel or water.

Location

100 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 39.500, -111.300

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townFairview, Utah
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r04/manti-lasal/recreation/north-skyline-drive-state-scenic-backway
ClosedOct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Approx. location39.500, -111.300

Getting there

Directions

Northern access (Tucker). From US-6 about 18 miles east of Spanish Fork, look for the marked Tucker turnoff. The road climbs east onto the plateau.

Mid-route access (SR-31). State Route 31 crosses the plateau between Fairview (west) and Huntington (east). Skyline Drive intersects this paved highway.

Southern access (Salina or Sigurd). From I-70 at Salina, head north on local roads to access the southern end of Skyline Drive.

Approximate midpoint coordinates: 39.500° N, -111.300° W.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Skyline Drive runs along the Wasatch Plateau in Sanpete, Sevier, and Emery counties — the high plateau that separates Utah's central valleys (Sanpete and Sevier) from the Castle Country to the east. The plateau is part of the larger Manti-La Sal National Forest, which manages the road. Fairview, Mt. Pleasant, and Manti are the closest service towns on the western side; Huntington and Castle Dale on the east. The road rarely descends below 8,000 feet for its full 100 miles.

Trail Overview

The northern access at Tucker leaves US-6 west of Soldier Summit and climbs to the plateau. The first 27 miles run as graded gravel along the high backbone of the plateau, with views west into Sanpete Valley and east into Castle Country. State Route 31 crosses the plateau at the Huntington Reservoir area, providing a paved bail-out option.

South of SR-31, the road continues for ~70 more miles along the plateau through Bear Springs, Twelve Mile Flat, and the Mt. Aspen lookout area before descending to Salina or Sigurd. The southern half is rougher native-soil dirt, requiring 4WD. The full route ends at I-70 in the southern valleys.

Driving the full 100 miles takes 6 to 10 hours without stops. Most travelers spend at least two days on the route.

Points of Interest

  • Tucker. Northern access on US-6.
  • Mt. Aspen Lookout. A high-elevation overlook with views into multiple drainages.
  • Twelve Mile Flat. Forest Service campground in a high meadow.
  • Skyline Mine area. Coal-mining country visible from the eastern overlooks.
  • Pando aspen clone. A famous 47,000-tree aspen colony (Pando, the largest single living organism by mass) accessed from a nearby Skyline Drive viewpoint.
  • Huntington Reservoir. Mid-route access on SR-31.
  • Bear Springs. Mid-southern campground area.
  • Joe's Valley Reservoir. Eastern bail-out access via SR-29.

Where to Camp

Multiple Forest Service campgrounds along the route, including Twelve Mile Flat, Joe's Valley, and the Huntington Reservoir area. Most have fees and seasonal water. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the surrounding national forest with the standard 14-day stay limit.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Travel July through September. Snow makes the route impassable the rest of the year.
  • Carry full fuel and water for multi-day travel.
  • Check road status before driving. Heavy rain or recent snow can leave the southern sections impassable.
  • Cell service is spotty.
  • Watch for cattle on the road; the Wasatch Plateau is heavily grazed.
  • Stay on designated routes; off-road driving on the high plateau damages slow-recovery alpine vegetation.
  • The Pando aspen clone is sensitive habitat. Stay on designated trails when visiting.
  • Acclimate to altitude before driving.
  • Visit the Pando interpretive site for context on this remarkable organism.
  • Contact the Manti-La Sal National Forest at 435-637-2817 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Skyline Drive (Utah)?
Skyline Drive (Utah) is rated moderate. The route runs 100 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Skyline Drive (Utah)?
High-clearance vehicle. The first 27 miles are graded gravel suitable for any vehicle; the southern sections require 4WD with low range, especially after rain.
When is the best time to visit Skyline Drive (Utah)?
The best months are Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun.
Is there cell service at Skyline Drive (Utah)?
Spotty