Hells Backbone Loop (FR 30153) in UT -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Utah

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Hells Backbone Loop (FR 30153) in UT

Dixie NF, Escalante Ranger District
6,581 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
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A 45.7-mile stretch of gravel National Forest road in Garfield County, UT. The road is open seasonally, June 30 to October 1.

Dixie National Forest, Escalante Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 16-day limit in any 60 days. Camp at least 300 ft from water.

12.6 of the 45.7 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Mostly gravel, with 10.8 miles of dirt. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~250 ft on the downhill side. Winds through 29 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. A gate 3.2 miles in. A cattle guard 5.2 miles in. A water crossing 28.6 miles in.

Skull Spring lies 0.2 mi off. A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Exposed here -- the nearest through road is 0.1 miles off. Roger Peak stands 3,551 ft above the site, 8.2 miles north. The nearest town, Panguitch, is 43 mi off.

September normals 4776°F, 1.6″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Fire restrictions

Set by Dixie National Forest, Escalante Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.

fs.usda.gov
Sources checked August 2026Something wrong here?