Drive the Hell’s Backbone Bridge
AdventureModerateSummerYear-round
Navigate this high-altitude white-knuckle gravel road connecting Boulder and Escalante, featuring a bridge suspended over sheer drops. October is the last chance to see the golden aspens before winter snow closes the pass.
Itinerary tips
- 1Ensure your vehicle has high clearance and a full tank of gas before leaving Boulder or Escalante as there are no services on the ridge.
- 2Allocate at least 3 to 4 hours to complete the full 38-mile loop to allow for photo stops and slow navigation of washboard sections.
- 3Pack a physical map or download offline GPS data since cellular service is nonexistent along the high-altitude pass.
- 4Check local forest service reports for road conditions, as heavy rain can turn the gravel into impassable slick mud.
- 5Start the drive from the Boulder side to experience the most dramatic elevation gain and forest-to-desert transitions.
- 6Carry a full-sized spare tire and a basic emergency kit, as towing services to this remote area are extremely expensive.
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