10 Days Overlanding in Escalante, Utah

There’s a feeling you get when you’re on the open road, knowing that every turn will reveal something new and unexpected. That’s how we felt as we embarked on a 10-day journey around Escalante, Utah—one of the most remote and beautiful corners of the American West. From the moment we hit the dusty, dirt roads, it felt like we were driving through a living postcard. There were no crowds, no distractions—just vast stretches of desert, towering rock formations, and the kind of solitude you can only find in places where time seems to stand still.

It’s from here in Escalante that Mormon explorers blazed the famous Hole-In-The-Rock trail, serving as the gateway to the Canyons of the Escalante. 

This region is home to many of the most incredible roads that the west has to offer: Cottonwood Canyon, Smoky Mountain Road, Hell’s Backbone, the Burr Trail, and Notom-Bullfrog Road. Each day will unfold with new surprises, and by the end, you will have witnessed the kind of beauty that makes you feel both humbled and inspired.

Ever since I began my off-roading journey, I have wanted to explore remote and scenic roads in my home state. My coworker, Ariana, is a natural wanderer and explorer, so this region was high on her list as well. When the opportunity presented itself, we jumped on the logistics and got to planning this epic adventure. A trip such as this may be a bucket list itinerary for many offroad enthusiasts, so we wanted to share it with you!

Day 1: Arrival in Tropic, UT

A journey of this length typically begins with an arrival to a nearby town the night before you embark. For such a remote journey, that town would be Tropic, Utah, roughly 2 and a half hours by car from St. George, UT, and your most convenient domestic airport—or about 4 hours from Salt Lake City. Located on Highway 12 about 30 minutes west of Escalante, this tiny little tourist town hosts a handful of restaurants, gas stations, and a small grocery store, allowing you to stock up on any last-minute items that may have slipped your mind in the rush of pre-trip excitement. Just be sure to fill up those gas tanks and grab that morning beverage of choice before you leave civilization for quite some time!

Day 2: Cottonwood Canyon Road

Before you set off on your journey, be sure to stop by the Cannonville Visitors Center, grab your camping permits, and chat about road conditions! The trails that wind through the deserts of southern Utah are prone to drastically changing conditions. Cottonwood Canyon Road is one of the most iconic and remote routes in southern Utah. The 38-mile stretch of gravel and dirt seems to go on forever, winding through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The landscape is unlike anything outside of southern Utah: deep reds, oranges, and purples in the rock layers, stark desert plateaus, and incredible rock formations that looked like they’d been plucked straight from a dream.

Along the way, be sure to stop at one of Cottonwood's many unique features. Get out to stretch your legs and hike into a few nearby slot canyons, marveling at their narrowness and the way sunlight slanted through the narrow openings, creating beautiful patterns on the canyon floor.

As you approach the end of Cottonwood Canyon Road, a slim stretch of pavement is the only sign of improvement that you will see. A short drive to the east provides a quick fuel stop at a lightly used gas station outside of Big Water. Outside of a handful of snacks and drinks, you are far from any type of store at this point! 

Days 3-4: Smoky Mountain Road

By Day 3, you will be veering off onto Smoky Mountain Road, a less-traveled route that takes you north to Escalante. The landscape shifts again—starting with rolling blue hills of bentonite clay and more layers of red and orange rock, all framed by the endless sky. This road feels more remote, as though you are driving through a forgotten world.

As you embark on this captivating journey, make sure to carve out some time to visit one of the most intriguing features of the area: the coal seam fires. Located off Smoky Mountain Road, along a smaller stretch known as Coal Fires Road, you'll find a series of vents in the mountainside where smoke steadily escapes from the long-burning underground fires. The origins of these fires remain a mystery—little is known about how they started or exactly how long they've been smoldering beneath the surface. Nevertheless, witnessing this natural phenomenon is sure to be one of the most memorable highlights of your adventure. Just be sure to keep your distance from the vents, as the smoke is thick and carries a pungent, tar-like odor. It’s a smell that clings to everything it touches, so don’t say we didn’t warn you!

At the end of Smoky Mountain Road, you will find yourself in the town of Escalante, another small tourist town with a few gas options, a dollar store for supplies, and formal lodging if a shower is required at this point. During peak seasons, this town is far from sleepy, but keep in mind that during the winter months, smaller stores close down!

Day 5-6: Hell’s Backbone Loop

The next day, you will find yourself traveling the Hell’s Backbone Loop, with one of the most famous bridges in America. The views along this trail are breathtaking—vast canyons spread out before you, with the Escalante River snaking its way through the valley below. Take the time to hike a few of the trails, soaking in the wild, rugged beauty. There’s something about standing at the edge of a cliff, looking out over such an immense landscape, that makes you feel small in the best possible way.

After taking in the views, spend the next day or two exploring Hell’s Backbone Loop more thoroughly. The 30 miles of winding road takes you higher into the mountains, cutting through deep, dramatic canyons. Nearby North Creek and Whites Flat-Hog Ranch provide great opportunities to see the change in terrain from the valley at 6,000 feet to the refreshingly cool mountain air above 9,500. 

Day 7-8: The Burr Trail and Wolverine Loop

By Day 7, you will be on track for one of the most famous roads in Utah—The Burr Trail. The 68-mile route starts in Boulder and runs through some of the most stunning desert scenery in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The road alternates between smooth pavement and rugged dirt, but no matter the surface, the views are constant—wide expanses of desert, narrow canyons, and towering mesas.

Although this trail itself can be driven within a day, there are a number of incredible side journeys to explore. The Wolverine Loop and its connecting spurs are a great driving detour winding up and down over the hills south of the Burr Trail. Just north of the Burr Trail is the Lampstand region, with a number of short trails leading to numerous hiking opportunities. Whichever extracurricular you choose, you cannot go wrong!

As extra time permits, you may find yourself wanting just a little bit more trail time before finishing up in the Burr area. Big Thompson Mesa is a fantastic loop off the southern paved portion of the Burr Trail and acts as an access point to the Halls Creek and Grand Gulch hiking trails. 

Day 9-10: Shootering Canyon, Eggnog, and Notom-Bullfrog Road

The last two days of your trip will likely include finishing the Burr Trail south to Bullfrog Marina, where fuel and a small assortment of supplies are available to restock your final days. After the restock, head north on State Route 276 toward Shootering Canyon (Shitamaring Canyon). This unique drive will wind through a wash and guide you through the still-active Shootering Mine. Just be sure to be very respectful and stay on the main road! As the day winds down, find camp at one of the many dispersed BLM sites or find a little more comfort in the little-known Starr Springs Campground. 

Connecting to Shootering Canyon (Shitamaring Canyon) and its namesake campground is Eggnog-Starr Springs Road, a bumpy but stunning journey across bentonite hills, with views overlooking Water Pocket Fold to the west. This loop feels other-worldly compared to the traditional towering red rock cliffs of the Escalante region, as pictures do not do the colors justice!

After a loop around the blue hills, head north to finish up the final days of your grand adventure. Notom-Bullfrog Road is a remote, 33-mile dirt and paved road that leads through yet another section of the Grand Staircase-Escalante. This road is a perfect finale to your journey—it still gives off a remote feel while you parallel Water Pocket Fold, yet within a few hours' drive (without stops), you reach UT-24, the highway home.

Planning Your Trip

Escalante, Utah, and the roads that you choose to explore will stay with you forever. There’s something magical about the desert, something raw and wild, and this trip is the perfect way to experience it all. If you’re looking for an adventure that takes you off the beaten path and deep into nature’s beauty, there’s no place like Escalante. Each twist of the road and each new vista is a reminder of how much there is to explore in this incredible part of the world. One thing is for sure in these parts, you will never have “enough” time here.

The list feature inside the Trails Offroad app makes planning trips like this a breeze. Once you add all of your desired trails, look at the map to see how to run them best. The direction that we decided to travel is recommended due to having multiple fuel stops, so carrying loads of extra fuel was not needed (although it is still wise!). With a plan broken into segments, this gives you the freedom to break it into time chunks as required. Each couple of days, you are in a new area and a new “town”, so bailing after exploring one of these regions is very easy. No matter how you decide to start tackling the Escalante area, just know that you are in for a real treat!