Cottonwood Canyon Road
Region: Grand Staircase-Escalante | Land Manager: BLM (Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument) | Cost: Free
Grand Staircase-Escalante terrain representative of the Cottonwood Canyon Road area. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Cottonwood Canyon Road cuts 46 miles through the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante, connecting Highway 89 to Kodachrome Basin State Park, with dispersed camping scattered along its length through some of the monument's most striking, colorful terrain.
Quick Facts
| Distance from Kanab | About 30 minutes to the southern trailhead via US-89 |
| Road & Clearance | Graded dirt road, impassable when wet, clay surface turns to deep mud in rain; high clearance recommended even when dry |
| Rig Suitability | Tents, vans, and most high-clearance vehicles; not for large RVs |
| Amenities | None |
| Cell Signal | None for most of the route |
| Best Season | Spring and fall; check weather before entering, this road strands vehicles in storms |
| Stay Limit | 14 days within a 28-day period |
Map
Getting There
From Kanab, head east on US-89 to the southern end of Cottonwood Canyon Road, or approach from the north near Cannonville/Kodachrome Basin State Park. Dispersed pull-offs are scattered along the road's full 46-mile length, with the most dramatic scenery near the Cockscomb formation and Grosvenor Arch turnoff.
What to Expect
Some of the most colorful and dramatic scenery in the monument, with the Cockscomb ridge, Grosvenor Arch, and slot canyon access points all along the route. This is a genuine backcountry drive, plan for a full day if you're exploring side hikes, not just passing through.
Good to Know
This road is notorious for stranding vehicles when the clay surface gets wet, do not enter if rain is forecast, and turn back immediately if you encounter mud. There's no cell service and minimal traffic for long stretches, so come prepared with extra water, fuel, and a plan in case of a breakdown.
A full day exploring a road this remote means your power setup needs to work without a backup plan nearby. See what an off-grid power system looks like