The Burr Trail is a unique scenic journey that leads adventuresome travelers through 66 miles of raw and rare country in the heart of southern Utah.

This trail is actually a historic road that takes travelers on a journey through spectacular country including a national recreation area, a national park, a national monument, vast deserts, ancient volcanoes, geological wonders and even leads into the pristine beauty of aspens and pines in a national forest.

Few scenic backcountry roads offer as much diversity, scenic attractions, geological features and wilderness perspective as this cattle trail from Bullfrog Bay on the shores of Lake Powell to the lush forests of Boulder Mountain. Along the way are many spur roads, and side canyons that provide four-wheeling, hikes, camping, exploring and eight scenic overlooks that provide breathtaking panoramic views of a strange and diverse region.

John Atlantic Burr is credited as founder of the Burr Trail in the late 1870s when he developed the trail to move cattle from summer to winter ranges. This trail was rough and nearly impassable as it crossed the Waterpocket fold, Burr Canyon and other areas like Muley Twist Canyon, and Long Canyon.

Josephine Wood was an early traveler on the Burr Trail and wrote these words of her experience in 1892.

"All well in health but we had the life frightened right out of us all. I don't know what they call this place, but I'll call it the Devil's Twist and that's a Sunday name for it. For all the roads on earth, I don't think there are any worse than there are here. It is the most Godforsaken and wild looking country that was ever traveled."

The Burr Trail became more developed as more people moved into southern Utah, and especially during the uranium rush years of the 1950s. With its development it became a road passable to trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles, and some passenger cars, but it has never lost the name of being called a trail. Following lengthy environmental battles in the 1980s, most of the Burr Trail was paved, except for 11 miles through Capitol Reef National Park that still remains dirt and characteristic of the rugged area, according to Riley Mitchell, acting chief of interpretations at Capitol Reef National Park.

The Burr Trail cuts through some of southern Utah's most remote and colorful country. This designated scenic backway can be accessed from three different routes. Travelers can get on the Burr Trail off of Highway 276, three miles north of Bullfrog. From here travelers can cross the entire 66 miles of trail ending in Boulder. From Highway 12 midway between Escalante and Torrey, travelers can head east from Boulder on the Burr Trail and end up near Lake Powell on Highway 276.

Another adventuresome way to travel the Burr Trail is from Capitol Reef National Park. Near the east entrance to the park is the start of a 125-mile loop road that travels down the Waterpocket Fold on the Notom Bullfrog Road, and joins the Burr Trail near the switchbacks that climb the Waterpocket Fold. Continue on the Burr Trail Road west to Boulder and then north on Highway 12 to Torrey, finishing back at Capitol Reef National Park. Much of the Notom Road is dirt, and the first portion of the Burr Trail is also dirt, until the Trail leaves Capitol Reef. Plan four hours of driving for this route, and more time if hiking and side trips are planned.

The Waterpocket Fold is a 100-mile long monocline created by an uplift in the land. This colorful Navajo Sandstone ridge was named by explorer John Wesley Powell, and provides astounding geological scenery.

East of the Waterpocket Fold is a series of five mountains ranging in elevation from 8,000 to 12,000 feet. This range is called the Henry Mountains, and this was the last mountain range named in the continental United States. They were created by volcanos that never quite reached the surface, but bulged the land, according to the National Park Service.

The Burr Trail and Waterpocket District is open all year. However, rain and snow can leave the road slick, muddy, and sometimes washed out and impassable. The National Park Service recommends checking at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center before traveling into this remote region. Vehicles with good ground clearance are recommended, such as pickup trucks, vans, and a variety of passenger cars. Road conditions can vary greatly depending on recent weather.