Cottonwood Canyon Road is a 61.6 kilometer lightly trafficked point-to-point trail located near Cannonville, Utah that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for nature trips and scenic driving and is best used from April until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
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February 22, 2022I wouldn’t call this a trail but drove the road in a SUV with no problems, road was hard packed and very little “washboard” sections. There look to be several great trailheads along the road that I’d love to go back and explore. Very little traffic and Grosvener Arch is beautiful. Glad I took the long way from Kanab to Escalante!
December 28, 2021Loved the drive, but the middle third was extremely muddy. I was able to make it by keeping my speed up and accelerating gently. We did pass a pickup truck that had slid off the road and needed help getting back
October 18, 2021We drive from Cannondale to Hwy 86, stopping at Gosvenor Arch. Really enjoyed the ride in our jeep, no trouble at all. Only passed a few cars. Picnic tables at the arch parking area.
October 2, 2021What a blast! We headed over to Grosvernor Arch for a picnic then went on down the road to Cottonwood Narrows. We headed in from the south entrance did the whole trail and back to the car. Nice afternoon hike and drive.
July 2, 2021Definitely worth it !! 4x4 not necessary but definitely helped. Road was in good condition. A highlight of our trip
June 24, 2021Really special drive. You must stop at the double arches. Fun pass through to do Bryce next.
May 9, 2021Did the full road from Canonville to the 89 in a modified jeep wrangler, then all the way back to Canonville. The northern leg of the road was the "best". Great views of rock formations, cliffs, etc. Long steap climbs up around mountains. Several turnouts for hiking or side road adventures. The southern half, 10-15 miles north of the 89, I would skip. Road is super rough from all the traffic, the views and landscape are farely flat, rolling hills.
May 3, 2021Incredible road, lightly trafficked on a Saturday afternoon. We went from Highway 89 to Grosvenor Arch. We have a stock Subaru Outback and it handled the road with ease. The views are gobsmackingly stunning. Vermillon cliffs, hodos, a slot canyon, epic vistas....the list goes on. We saw a few 2WD sedans out there, which likely struggled on some of the inclines. There’s a few washboard sections that will give your vehicle a rough rumble. Also watch out for cows and bulls - they are on the road. Seriously, this drive was the best moment of our vacation!
April 7, 2021The rock formations to see were very cool. And the road was alright. but me personally it was not all that great. I did like the hikes that this road lead to tho
April 1, 2021Fantastic drive through beautiful, rugged landscapes. The road was dry and well maintained (3/31/2021). We stopped at Toadstools on the way in from Kanab, then at Cottonwood Canyon Narrows, and Grosvenor Arch. It took us almost six hours one way, stopping for a picnic lunch and three short hikes. Highly recommend it. As others have said, it is doable without AWD when it’s dry, but high clearance is advisable.
March 23, 2021Fantastic drive in dry weather. I would not attempt if it were wet. Road is well graded and nothing scary. Lots of places to stop and look or hike. Could easily spend a day or three here. Only one this time, will take three next time
March 8, 20213/8 road is dry, 2wd very doable. Check road conditions at visitor center in cannonville
February 26, 2021Great drive with many hikes and slot canyons. The road is in great shape
February 11, 2021Cottonwood Canyon Road is one of the most beautiful drives in the United States. And it is the gateway to some of the most amazing hikes through geologic wonderland in the world. Cottonwood Canyon Road itself is definitely not a hiking trail, unless you're up for about a 50-mile hike.
January 15, 2021Standard dirt road, no need for 4wd. A nice alternative to get from Bryce to Lake Powell instead of the highway, and you can stop at the arch and narrows along the way.
December 1, 2020Very beautiful road, shouldn’t be a problem in a dry weather for any car
October 26, 2020Beautiful drive in the Fall. Road is not challenging in dry weather. Saw a few 2 wheel drive sedans go by. Great shortcut.
October 14, 2020Awesome scenic off road trail. Easy drive for all levels.
October 12, 2020All dirt and gravel road, never needed 4 wheel drive but lots of washboard. The stop at cottonwood narrows north made it worth it
May 20, 2020Beautiful road to drive down in dry conditions. We also hiked through the Cottonwood Canyon Narrows trail - not listed on AllTrails but there’s signs for it on the road - starting from the Southern end. As a hike, it’s not that cool if you’ve done other canyon hiking in Utah. However, we’re also birdwatchers, and we saw three new species for us and a Black-chinned Hummingbird nest.
May 1, 2020Beauty. We did about half of it back and forth to Cannonville. Prettier on the way back, from south to north. Easy drive with no mud and recently groomed road. Stopped at Kodackcrome and the arch, both are cool visits.
January 19, 2020Kanab to Bryce, even in the Jeep it was a bit scary. VERY muddy, sharp corners on hillsides, seriously thought we were going to slide right off the cliff. Saw 2 other vehicles on this road pulled off to the side because they couldn't get enough traction to keep going. Would not recommend doing this in snowy/wet conditions. Canyon was beautiful. So many colors!
January 12, 2020Drove this road north to south in the morning while all the mud was still frozen - not sure if it would have been passable once the mud was melted as there are some steep hills and lots of ruts (don't even try it in a sedan). Didn't see another vehicle the whole way. Stopped at Grosvenor Arch and Cottonwood Narrows. Still plenty of ice / snow on northern sections.
April 16, 2019It was a fun road we started in Kanab we went to Bryce Canyon. we loved going to the arch. it was an easy walk and the kids loved it!
April 20, 2018Absolutely a beautiful drive from our visit to Bryce back to Kanab. The Grosvenor Arch is worth a stop. The road quite challenging at times but our suv made it through. Would have liked to stop at some hikes along the way but we were too tired after a long day at Bryce and just enjoyed scenery in late afternoon sun and with curious cows. Not many cars on the trail so able to go really slow.
December 20, 2017Fantastic dirt road. Didnt see too many people on it. Definitely go see the arch and hike the narrows while youre there.
December 4, 2017great but NOT WHEN WET
June 6, 2017Beautiful
March 11, 2013I drove this trail from north to south. It is a very scenic drive! Don't miss the Grosvenor Arch near the north end. You should inquire locally about road conditions, as there are a couple of places that get very muddy after a rain.
October 1, 2010
First to ReviewEasy driving. Plan on a full day to appreciate this great drive. The far-stretching views are awesome. Grosvenor Arch and the short Cottonwood Narrows hike are must-do diversions. Vivid colors and stunning rock forms greet you at every turn. Unfortunately we didn't have too much time to explore other attractions along the way because of the threat of rain. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during monsoon season.
