Drive Hell’s Backbone Road
ScenicModerateSummerFall
Traverse a terrifyingly beautiful gravel bridge spanning thousands of feet of drop-offs between Boulder and Escalante.
Itinerary tips
- 1Budget at least 2 to 3 hours for the 38-mile journey to account for slow speeds and frequent photo stops.
- 2Ensure your vehicle has high clearance and a full tank of gas, as there are no services between Boulder and Escalante.
- 3Carry a physical map or downloaded GPS coordinates because cellular service is non-existent throughout the high-elevation forest.
- 4Stop at the 'Bridge' section to walk the narrow spine, but stay inside the vehicle if you have a severe fear of heights.
- 5Start the drive in Boulder and head toward Escalante to keep the most dramatic cliff-side views on your right-hand side.
- 6Pack an extra layer of clothing since the road reaches elevations near 9,000 feet where temperatures are significantly cooler than the desert floor.
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