Information
Landmark: Burr Trail Scenic BywayCity: Escalante
Country: USA Utah
Continent: North America
Burr Trail Scenic Byway, Escalante, USA Utah, North America
Overview
The Burr Trail Scenic Byway winds for about 68 miles, from Cannonville through Boulder to the southern tip of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, offering some of southern Utah’s most breathtaking views-red cliffs rising like walls beside the road.The byway twists through high desert, past sheer red cliffs, tight canyon walls, and wide-open views, giving you a striking look at the region’s wild beauty and layered rock history.Starting near Cannonville, the byway winds through soft, rolling hills and past sheer red rock cliffs, climbing steadily until it reaches the rugged heart of the Escalante region.A standout moment comes when you climb onto the Boulder Mountain plateau, the road curling along sheer cliffs, with the Escalante River glinting far below and streaks of red and gold canyon walls stretching into the distance.The road winds past rippled slickrock, slips by the shadowed mouths of slot canyons, then opens onto wide desert basins, where Navajo and Entrada sandstone trade sharp reds for pale gold.Along the way, travelers pass the Waterpocket Fold, grind up steep switchbacks, and catch brief glimpses of the Grand Staircase–Escalante’s rugged, far-off backcountry.This byway leads to several trailheads, from the famous Burr Trail switchbacks with their sweeping canyon views to side trips where you can wander past Anasazi ruins, squeeze through narrow slot canyons, and stand beneath towering red rock formations.The Burr Trail pulls you in with shifting views-red cliffs rising sharp against a deep blue sky.Slim ribbons of road cling to the cliffs, offering sudden, breathtaking views of valleys and the sun-baked desert far beneath.Shadows slip over the rock while sunlight catches the fine striations, bringing out the stone’s rough, weathered texture.In early morning or late afternoon, the drive catches your eye as red and orange sandstone blazes against a deep blue sky, like embers lit by the sun.The byway feels quiet and far from everything, with hardly a car in sight and desert stretching in pale gold as far as you can see.You might catch sight of mule deer stepping through the brush, bighorn sheep on rocky slopes, and desert birds darting past as you travel the route.In the high desert, silence hangs in the air while cliffs, canyons, and mesas rise in sharp relief, leaving travelers with a deep sense of solitude and awe.Visitors spot the little things that make the trip special-erosion lines etched into cliff faces, paper-thin sandstone layers, desert plants gripping narrow crevices, and now and then, a wildflower bright against the dust.Twisting switchbacks and sharp cliffside bends invite you to stop and notice the rocks shift in texture, while far-off canyon walls show their age in thin, striated lines and rusty streaks of color.The Burr Trail Scenic Byway packs in rugged driving thrills, striking rock formations, and miles of open desert stretching under a wide blue sky.With its twisting road, sheer cliffs, and sweeping vistas, it’s a must for anyone exploring the Grand Staircase–Escalante, leading you past golden sandstone walls and into some of southern Utah’s most secluded, striking landscapes.
