Burr Trail Scenic Byway | Escalante

Burr Trail Scenic Byway, stretching roughly 68 miles from Cannonville through Boulder to the south end of Escalante-national-monument_escalante" class="underline">Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, is one of southern Utah’s most dramatic and scenic drives. Winding through high desert landscapes, towering cliffs, narrow canyons, and sweeping vistas, the byway offers a captivating glimpse into the region’s rugged beauty and geologic diversity.

Route and Landscape
The byway begins near Cannonville, traveling through rolling hills and red rock cliffs that gradually rise into the Escalante region. One of the highlights is the ascent onto the Boulder Mountain plateau, where the road twists along cliffs, offering panoramic views of the Escalante River and the colorful canyons below. The drive passes through slickrock formations, narrow slot canyon entrances, and expansive desert basins, showcasing contrasting textures and colors of Navajo and Entrada sandstone.

Notable Features
Along the route, visitors encounter landmarks such as the Waterpocket Fold, steep switchbacks, and glimpses of Grand Staircase–Escalante’s remote backcountry. The byway provides access to several trailheads, including the iconic Burr Trail switchbacks overlooking the canyon, as well as side trips to Anasazi ruins, slot canyons, and striking rock formations.

Scenic Experience
The Burr Trail offers a dynamic and immersive visual experience. Narrow stretches of road hug cliffs, creating dramatic perspectives over the valleys and desert below. Sunlight and shadows play across rock walls, highlighting striations and natural textures. The drive is especially striking in the early morning or late afternoon, when the colors of the red and orange sandstone glow against the deep blue sky.

Visitor Atmosphere
The byway has a remote, peaceful atmosphere, with minimal traffic and wide-open desert vistas. Wildlife such as mule deer, bighorn sheep, and desert birds may be spotted along the route. The quiet of the high desert, combined with the constant visual drama of cliffs, canyons, and mesas, gives travelers a sense of isolation and wonder.

Micro-Details
Visitors notice small features that add to the journey’s appeal: erosion patterns on cliffs, delicate layers of sandstone, tiny desert plants clinging to cracks, and the occasional wildflower bloom. Switchbacks and cliffside curves provide opportunities to pause and observe subtle changes in geology, while distant canyon walls reveal ancient sedimentary history in striated patterns and color variations.

The Burr Trail Scenic Byway combines driving adventure, geological wonder, and sweeping southwestern landscapes. Its winding road, towering cliffs, and panoramic views make it an essential route for exploring the Grand Staircase–Escalante region, offering both visual drama and access to some of southern Utah’s most remote and captivating natural features.