To get to Burr Trail Road, we took Utah Scenic Byway 12 south for 38 miles toward the small town of Boulder from Torrey. SB-12 is a treat of in itself: winding through the picturesque country of Boulder Mountain and Homestead Overlook.

Burr Trail Road

Also known as BLM-100, the beautiful back way of Burr Trail Road starts out paved, and twists through the extensive Slickrock canyons of eastern Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Originally a track used by Mormon pioneers moving livestock to and from Boulder Mountain and the areas near Waterpocket Fold, it is now paved and provides access to some of Utah’s prettiest wilderness. We first passed by some wonderful examples of cross-bedded Navajo sandstone just outside of Boulder. We then passed Deer Creek Campground, and then before we knew it, the deep gorge of Long Canyon, which starts just before an area called The Gulch.

Long Canyon beckons exploration

Driving through Long Canyon felt of pure and innocent: without prior research for this part of our trip, our sense of awe and surprise seemed amplified without a shroud of expectation. Long Canyon is about seven miles long, and as we dropped downward, we got a stunning preview of the first half mile looking deep into its red cliffs of sheer sandstone.

Through the whole of the drive we met with only three other cars, but for much of the trip I felt like we were the only ones privileged with intimate viewings the marvelous varnished cliffs. In one section of the canyon, the sandstone eroded into an odd collection of pockets or holes, giving it a Swiss Cheese look.

Tall Red Cliffs of Long Canyon

We exited Long Canyon and stopped at an overlook providing a great panoramic view of the Henery Mountains, Circle Cliffs, and the Waterpocket Fold. Such a treat to be looking down on sloping mounds colored like striped candy.

We took Burr Trail Road down, gently sloping toward Horse Canyon, through the White Canyon Flats, and then wiggled slightly through the white stone hills of Studhorse Peaks.

Just as we crossed the border from Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to Capitol Reef National Park, Burr Trail becomes a dirt road. We stopped for a moment and examine the Waterpocket Fold and the Circle Cliffs from afar.

Toward Capitol Reef in the Distance

We meandered for a bit when we are surprised by the Burr Trail Switchbacks. We stopped at a pullout to marvel at the steep 800-foot tall incline, and the zigzagging dirt road into Burr Canyon, and into the Waterpocket Fold proper. I turn to Hitch and I saw his lizard-brain whispering to him about it “being too high” upon his face. He has a slight fear of heights. We smile at each other and I say, “This is adventure!” then get into the truck to wind down the sheering slope of the switchbacks.

Burr Trail Switchback Looks Steep!

I marvel at the sprawling scenery and before I know it we’re at the bottom, within the walls of Burr Canyon. Before driving on to the Notom-Bullfrog road connection, we stopped at the bottom and look up, the road hardly noticeable from this angle.

Notom-Bullfrog Road

We turned northward onto Notom-Bullfrog Road, along the eastern side of the Waterpocket Fold within the Badlands of Capitol Reef. We passed the buttery colored cliffs of Oyster Shell Reef, bright stripped hills, red colored cliffs, sandstone fingers rising up from sand, and pale jagged teeth-like rocks scaring the road side. Occasionally, I spied a trail leading off somewhere and felt a desire to explore them. Before we knew it, the landscape sadly boring after Ceder Mesa Campground and crossing the border from the National Park and on the BLM land.

Candy Stripe Mounds

The fun ride seemingly over until we reach State Route 24 and turned toward Capitol Reef Visitor Center. SR-24 gently follows the Fremont River between red craggy sandstone cliffs and among the lush green fed by the river. The route even granted a great view of Capitol Dome from the road. A nice finish to a great drive.

At the bottom of Burr Trail Switchbacks

Long Canyon from Burr Trail Road

Oyster Shell Reef

Hitch by Long Canyon Overlook

Jagged white rocks along Notom-Bullfrog Road

Different Perspective of Burr Trail Switchbacks

Amaze! The Waterpocket Fold

Capitol Dome kind of looks like a boob!

Long Canyon Formations