Anybody driven Cottonwood Canyon Rd in Southern Utah?

I've done it in an SUV in dry weather and with no problems. I'd like to do it in the TC.

I agree with the others that it is a great drive. I went down the road back at the end of February. There were a couple small area that were wet at stream crossings but the road was fine otherwise. The best part was only seeing three or four other vehicles during the trip. I camped near the end of the road and had a restful evening where the dogs could enjoy a bit of freedom from the leash.
Grant

FYI you can camp for free as well, but the flies were really terrible everywhere we stopped. We planned to hang out and camp/hike but the flies were unbearable for us anyway. We blasted south and went to toroweap instead.

I never saw anything bad about the "sand pit" mentioned on the south end of the road either. Just a little sand here and there if it is dry.

I just drove through a couple days ago in my jeep and there was a truck camper parked about mid way. Very dry, lots of bugs, the road is just washboard with some occasional small sand pits. Should be cake with 4x4 and stock tires. I blew through in a short time but again I was driving my jeep on 35s, aired down.

Just located this page with the latest road conditions for all of the GSENM backways.

GSENM Road Condition Report

Axle wrote:
Yes, if the road is dry it is actually super easy for any vehicle. The Cottonwood Canyon road is kind of a major dirt road and it gets quite a bit of traffic. You'll like it for sure as long as the washboarding is minimal.

Keep in mind that if you are driving up north soon that Hwy 89 south of Page is still closed. When you take Hwy 160 east to Tuba City, there is a good shortcut accross the Rez between Red Lake and Kaibeto. This shortcut only ahs 5 miles of dirt road that is good.

Stop in the Big Water VC to check out and ask for highlights to see on the Cottonwood road.

Rob P.

Excellent! Thanks, Rob. It's the side to side sloping that concerns me the most.

Yes, if the road is dry it is actually super easy for any vehicle. The Cottonwood Canyon road is kind of a major dirt road and it gets quite a bit of traffic. You'll like it for sure as long as the washboarding is minimal.

Keep in mind that if you are driving up north soon that Hwy 89 south of Page is still closed. When you take Hwy 160 east to Tuba City, there is a good shortcut accross the Rez between Red Lake and Kaibeto. This shortcut only ahs 5 miles of dirt road that is good.

Stop in the Big Water VC to check out and ask for highlights to see on the Cottonwood road.

Rob P.

Axle wrote:
Mike,

I've driven Cottonwood Canyon Road dozens of times. The condition varies dramatically denpending on when it was last graded. If it rains or if the Paria River cuts into it can be really bad or destroyed. I have not driven it this year. Obviously it has not rained much lately so the big concern would be how bad the washboarding is. And the washboards can be so bad you wouldn't want to drive it on a pleasure trip.

It is definitely true that if that road is wet it is impassable. I was once forced to turn around on that road when it was wet in my full size Bronco. The details of that turnaround are even amazing. The mud that forms is the stickiest most slippery I've ever experienced.

You should be able to get a current road condition report from the BLM visitor centers in Big Water or Cannonville.

The views are great from that road. We have used this road to hike Hackberry Canyon, The Box, visit a BLM dinosaur discovery, visit Grosvenor Arch and more.
Rob P.

Thanks, Rob. Looks like you have quite a bit of experience with this road. Assuming the road is dry, do you think my truck and camper combo can safely negotiate this route?

seldomseensmith wrote:
Mike,

Cottonwood Canyon Road is one I use frequently, as in good weather it provides a useful and scenic shortcut between U.S. Hwy 89 and Utah 12. There are some great hikes along the way, and of course the country is beautiful. Be warned however, as the road is one of those backways that becomes a trap for the unwary when it rains - See the link for the "Impassable when wet" below.

Listed below are entries are from my previous blog posts and RV.Net trip reports about this wonderful 47 mile dirt road.


Cottonwood Canyon - the Heart of Grand Staircase - Escalante

A Tale of Three Roads - Part 1

Impassable when wet

Eric,
I should've known that you were well acquainted with this road. :) I should've looked at your blog first before asking this question. Looks like you've had some adventures with that route. I hope I never catch myself in a situation like that. Getting stuck is not my idea of fun. :)

Mike,

I've driven Cottonwood Canyon Road dozens of times. The condition varies dramatically denpending on when it was last graded. If it rains or if the Paria River cuts into it can be really bad or destroyed. I have not driven it this year. Obviously it has not rained much lately so the big concern would be how bad the washboarding is. And the washboards can be so bad you wouldn't want to drive it on a pleasure trip.

It is definitely true that if that road is wet it is impassable. I was once forced to turn around on that road when it was wet in my full size Bronco. The details of that turnaround are even amazing. The mud that forms is the stickiest most slippery I've ever experienced.

You should be able to get a current road condition report from the BLM visitor centers in Big Water or Cannonville.

The views are great from that road. We have used this road to hike Hackberry Canyon, The Box, visit a BLM dinosaur discovery, visit Grosvenor Arch and more.

Rob P.