BLM Utah
Elk Ridge Scenic Backway is a 30-mile unpaved route across the southern Manti-La Sal National Forest, climbing the Bears Ears spine between SR-95 / SR-275 on the south and SR-211 (the Indian Creek corridor) on the north. The ridge tops out near 9,000 feet with sightlines into Bears Ears, Monument Valley, and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.
The road is single-lane in places and high-clearance in others, but the surface is generally graded forest road that any AWD or 4WD vehicle can handle in dry conditions. The route closes seasonally with snow and is best between late May and October.
Trailhead: 37.85170, -109.69440
- Technical Difficulty
- moderate
- Length
- 30 miles
- Direction
- Point to point
- Vehicle
- High-clearance recommended; AWD or 4WD helpful in wet conditions. Single-lane in spots.
- Nearest town
- Blanding, Utah
- Terrain
- Unpaved single-lane forest road climbing the Bears Ears spine to a ridge near 9,000 ft.
- Cell coverage
- Minimal on the ridge; service returns near Highway 95.
- Best months
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Management
- U.S. Forest Service
- Trailhead
- 37.85170, -109.69440
Resources
Directions
From Blanding (south access). Take SR-95 west for about four miles, then turn right on the Elk Ridge Scenic Backway / Forest Road 088. The road climbs into the forest immediately.
From Monticello (north access via SR-211). Take US-191 south to SR-211, drive west toward the Needles District, and turn south on the Elk Ridge Scenic Backway / FR-088 just past Newspaper Rock.
Photos · 6
Getting Oriented
The backway crosses the Abajo Mountains and Elk Ridge between SR-95 (near the Bears Ears NM boundary) and SR-211 (the gateway to the Needles District). Manti-La Sal National Forest's Monticello Ranger District manages it. The route sits within Bears Ears National Monument, so dispersed camping rules and cultural-site protections apply throughout.
Trail Overview
Thirty miles of unpaved road, point-to-point. The southern access climbs from SR-95 through pinyon-juniper into ponderosa pine and aspen, with the road narrowing to single-lane on several ridge segments. The north end drops into Indian Creek and meets SR-211 near Newspaper Rock. Most drivers cover it in two to three hours, longer with stops for the overlooks. There are no technical obstacles, but wet weather makes the clay-rich soil slick.
Points of Interest
- Bears Ears. The two namesake buttes are visible from multiple ridge overlooks. Cultural sites in the area are federally protected.
- Canyonlands Needles District overlook. From the ridge, the spires of the Needles are visible to the west.
- Monument Valley horizon. On clear days, the sandstone of Monument Valley is visible to the south.
- Indian Creek / Newspaper Rock. The north end drops into the Indian Creek corridor near Newspaper Rock State Historic Site, a major petroglyph panel.
Where to Camp
Dispersed camping is allowed on Manti-La Sal NF land along the route, with the standard 16-day stay limit. Cultural-site setbacks apply. Devil's Canyon Campground on Highway 191 between Monticello and Blanding has developed sites. The Needles Outpost near the SR-211 end has private camping with hookups.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Check road status with the Monticello Ranger District (435-587-2041) before driving. The route closes from November to May most years.
- The road is slick when wet. Postpone after rain or snow.
- Single-lane sections require yielding. Use the pullouts.
- Cultural sites along the corridor are federally protected. Stay on the road and pack out everything.
- Combine with Beef Basin Road or Cottonwood Canyon Road for a longer Bears Ears overlanding loop.
Hazards
- Wet weather closures. Clay-rich soil turns slick after rain. Postpone driving after storms.
- Single-lane segments. Several stretches are one-lane with limited pullouts. Yield to descending traffic where the cliff edge requires.
- Steep, exposed sections. No guardrails. Watch the edge.
- Limited cell service. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Cultural sites. Bears Ears NM contains active cultural-resource protections. Stay on the road and report vandalism to the BLM (435-587-1500).