View the Burr Trail Switchbacks
ScenicModerateSpringSummerYear-round
Drive the dramatic, unpaved zig-zags that descend 800 feet into the Strike Valley. The views of the Henry Mountains in the distance are often capped with the first dustings of October snow.
Itinerary tips
- 1Ensure your vehicle has high clearance and check local weather reports at the Anasazi State Park Museum before descending, as rain makes the clay surface impassable.
- 2Allocate at least three to four hours for a round-trip journey from Boulder to the switchbacks to allow for photography stops and slow navigation.
- 3Pack a full tank of fuel and plenty of water, as there are no services or cell reception once you leave the paved section of the Burr Trail.
- 4Stop at the Strike Valley Overlook trailhead just before the descent for the best panoramic views of the Waterpocket Fold.
- 5Engage a lower gear when descending the 12% grade to prevent brake overheating during the 800-foot drop.
- 6No permits are required to drive the switchbacks, but a backcountry permit is necessary if you plan to camp overnight within the Capitol Reef boundary.
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