BLM Utah
Last verified May 2026
The Bull Creek Pass National Backcountry Byway is a 68-mile single-lane dirt road that loops through Utah's Henry Mountains, widely cited as the last mountain range in the contiguous United States to be named by federal surveyors. The route climbs nearly a vertical mile from the desert floor near Hanksville to Bull Creek Pass at 10,485 feet, traversing badlands, sandstone canyons, ponderosa-spruce forest, and alpine terrain in a single drive.
The road is rough, with steep grades and blind curves throughout. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, and the alpine sections are typically only passable from late spring through early fall. The Henry Mountains are home to one of the few free-roaming American bison herds in the country, alongside mule deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, and mountain lion.
Trailhead: 38.09716, -110.62196
- Technical Difficulty
- moderate
- Length
- 68 miles
- Elevation gain
- 6,000 ft
- Direction
- Loop
- Vehicle
- High-clearance recommended; rough sections, steep grades, and blind curves require attention
- Nearest town
- Hanksville, Utah
- Terrain
- Single-lane dirt road through badlands, ponderosa, and alpine pass
- Cell coverage
- None to minimal
- Best months
- Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
- Management
- Bureau of Land Management
- Trailhead
- 38.09716, -110.62196
Resources
Directions
The byway is reached from State Route 95, 21 miles south of Hanksville, Utah. From there, the loop runs west and north through the Henry Mountains, returning to SR-95 via the loop's other end.
There is no fuel, food, or water on the byway. The closest services are in Hanksville.
Photos · 1
Getting Oriented
The Bull Creek Pass Backcountry Byway is a 68-mile loop through the Henry Mountains in southern Utah, set between Capitol Reef National Park to the west and Canyonlands National Park to the east. The route is BLM-managed and accessed from State Route 95, 21 miles south of Hanksville. The range is widely cited as the last in the contiguous United States to be named by federal surveyors, taking its name from Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
Trail Overview
The byway is a single-lane dirt road for its full length, with rough sections, steep grades, and blind curves throughout. The route ascends from the desert floor (~4,300 feet at Hanksville) through badlands and exposed sandstone, into pinyon-juniper, then ponderosa pine and Engelmann spruce forest, topping out at Bull Creek Pass at 10,485 feet. Two developed campgrounds sit on or near the byway: McMillan Springs and Lonesome Beaver, both within the higher-elevation forested zone.
The alpine sections are typically passable from June through September. Snow can close the pass into early summer and again in late fall. Wet weather makes the dirt surface difficult; high-clearance is recommended in all conditions, and four-wheel drive is useful when wet.
Wildlife
The Henry Mountains support one of only four free-roaming bison herds on public land in the United States. The herd was established in 1941 with bison transplanted from Yellowstone and now numbers several hundred animals. Other species inhabiting the range include mule deer, pronghorn antelope, desert bighorn sheep, mountain lion, and black bear.
Where to Camp
- McMillan Springs Campground sits directly on the byway in ponderosa-pine forest. First-come, first-served.
- Lonesome Beaver Campground is a short distance north of McMillan Springs, also in the higher-elevation forest belt.
Dispersed camping is permitted on BLM land along the byway outside developed campgrounds, subject to standard Leave No Trace practices.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Plan for the elevation range. The route covers nearly 6,000 feet of vertical. Bring layers and water; weather differs sharply between the desert and the pass.
- Carry supplies. Hanksville is the only nearby town, and there is no fuel, food, or water on the byway itself.
- Check road conditions. The BLM Henry Mountains Field Station at (435) 542-3461 can confirm closures and surface conditions before you go.
- Watch for bison. The herd is wild and will not always yield. Give animals wide berth, especially during the autumn rut.
Hazards
The Bull Creek Pass Byway includes rough sections, steep grades, and blind curves throughout its 68 miles.
Elevation and weather. The route climbs from desert (~4,300 ft) to Bull Creek Pass (10,485 ft). Snow can block the pass into early summer and starting again in late fall. Lightning is a risk on alpine sections during summer afternoon storms.
Surface. The dirt surface becomes difficult to traverse when wet. High-clearance is recommended at all times; four-wheel drive is useful in mud or snow.
Wildlife. Free-roaming bison occupy the range. They are wild animals — give them wide berth, do not approach, and yield to them on the road. Mountain lion are present though rarely seen.
No services. Cell coverage is minimal to none. Carry recovery gear, extra fuel, water, and food. The nearest help is in Hanksville (435) 542-3461.