Explore the Burr Trail Switchbacks
ScenicModerateSpringSummerYear-round
Experience a dramatic change in elevation via a series of steep, unpaved hairpin turns that drop from the Waterpocket Fold into the Strike Valley.
Itinerary tips
- 1Verify road conditions at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center before heading out, as the dirt switchbacks become impassable when wet.
- 2Allocate at least three to four hours to drive the full route from Boulder to the Notom-Bullfrog Road intersection including photo stops.
- 3Pack a full-sized spare tire and extra water, as this remote stretch of road lacks cell service and emergency facilities.
- 4No permits are required to drive the road, but ensure your vehicle has high clearance for the washboard sections and steep grades.
- 5Stop at the 'Strike Valley Overlook' trailhead just before the descent for the best panoramic view of the switchbacks from above.
- 6Begin your journey in the town of Boulder to experience the dramatic transition from paved canyon scenery to the unpaved Waterpocket Fold.
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