Cottonwood Canyon Road is a geologist’s dream! It is an unpaved, scenic road that leads travelers through part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The rocks and landscape here are like none other. The road is 46 miles one way, and there are no services, so ensure you are equipped with food, water, and a full gas tank before you go!
Directions to Cottonwood Canyon Road
Cottonwood Canyon Road begins or ends, depending on your location, just off Highway 89, west of Big Water, Utah, or in Cannonville, Utah. For this post, I will refer to the starting location of the trip as Highway 89 near Big Water, Utah, and the ending location as Highway 12 in Cannonville, Utah.
Coming from Page, Arizona, or Kanab, Utah, you can take Highway 89 all the way to the entrance of Cottonwood Canyon Road, which is located between mile markers 17 and 18. You will see a large sign off the road. Once you’re on the road, you can follow it all the way to Cannonville on Highway 12.
4 Wheel Drive is optional most of the year; however, most of Cottonwood Canyon Road is unpaved and can be muddy and impassable after a storm.
Hikes and Views Along Cottonwood Canyon Road
There are many cool hikes and viewpoints along the road. I have listed some of the most popular areas in the order in which they are located when traveling from the Page, Arizona/ Kanab, Utah side.
Paria Box Canyon
The Paria Box Canyon is an easy 4-mile round-trip hike. It’s the first trailhead on Cottonwood Canyon Road. The trail takes you upstream along the Paria River to the Paria Townsite and the Paria Badlands (exceptionally colorful rock layers).
Lower Hackberry Canyon
Next up is the Lower Hackberry Canyon Trailhead. This trail is rated easy, but it’s 12 miles roundtrip. The trailhead is on the left side of the road with a short turnoff where you can park. This hike is nice when there is water but not a favorite when it’s dry. Many people don’t go the entire 6 miles one way. I recommend checking it out but turning around early so you have time to see other areas.
Yellow Rock
Yellow Rock is 2.6 miles round trip, but it requires a challenging climb! The path takes up some cool rock to an amazing view. There are no signs, so I strongly recommend using a navigation app. I got lost a few times, but I enjoyed exploring. For more details on Yellow Rock, read the full post here!
Cottonwood Wash Narrows
Hiking the Cottonwood Wash Narrows is one of the most sought-after hikes off Cottonwood Canyon Road. The narrows is an easy hike that takes you through a dry wash with high walls surrounding you the whole way. It’s not a slot canyon, but it is beautiful. The wash can be entered from the north or the south. Once you make it through the narrows from one end to the other, you can either turn around and go back the way you came or exit onto Cottonwood Canyon Road and walk the road back to your car. The trail is 2.3 miles one way. If you return the way you came, your total trip will be about 4.6 miles. If you return to the road, your trip will be about 3.3 miles.
Grosvenor Arch
The last stop off Cottonwood Canyon Road before hitting pavement is Grosvenor Arch. Grosvenor Arch is an impressive 150-foot sandstone double arch. To reach the arch, you’ll turn right off of Cottonwood Canyon Road onto Four Mile Bench Road or “Last Chance Road. ” About one mile down this road, you will see the turnoff for Grosvenor Arch on the left. The hike to the arch is very short and easy!
The End of the Road
Cottonwood Canyon Road continues until it turns to pavement and brings you past Kodachrome Basin State Park (another cool area to check out). Once you hit US-12, you can head left toward Bryce Canyon National Park and continue the adventure!
When is the Best Time of Year for a Cottonwood Canyon Road Trip?
The best time to visit is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) when temperatures are milder. Summer can be extremely hot, and winter may bring snow, making some parts of the road impassable. Always check current weather conditions and road status before planning your visit.
Leave It Better Than You Found It
Always remember to do your part to keep the area beautiful by packing out everything you pack in and not changing the landscape. Respect nature and follow ethical practices when engaging in outdoor activities. Always leave a place better than you found it and practice the principles of Leave No Trace. Enjoy your time exploring the trails and unique geology of Cottonwood Canyon Road!