Burr Trail
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Adding Burr Trail to your itinerary is a great way to experience some of Southern Utah's most scenic landscapes when you're exploring the Grand Staircase-Escalante region. It offers beautiful backcountry roads that wind through colorful sandstone canyons and desert landscapes before connecting to Capitol Reef National Park. You'll have ample opportunity for taking photos of sandstone cliffs, narrow canyons, and wide-open desert scenery. Many sections of the route have nearby opportunities for dispersed camping. This route is a good fit for RV owners with smaller, high-clearance rigs who are comfortable with some backcountry driving. At times during the year, sections of the Burr Trail may become impassable after heavy rain or flash flooding. Be sure to check current road conditions before your trip and choose an RV that's appropriate for the roads you plan to travel.
Quick Facts About RVing in Burr Trail
• RV Friendly: Limited • Max RV Length: Small to mid-size rigs recommended • Camping Type: Dispersed camping and a small developed campground on the trail • Reservations: No for dispersed camping; yes at some nearby campgrounds • Hookups: None along Burr Trail • Dump Station: None on-site • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty to none • Pets: Allowed; keep leashed where required • Roads: Paved and graded dirt with rugged sections • Best Season: Spring and fall
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Scenic drive through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument • Convenient access to Capitol Reef National Park adventures • Numerous dispersed campsites for self-contained RV travelers • Peaceful overnight camping away from crowded tourist destinations • Perfect destination for multi-day Southern Utah road trips • Outstanding stargazing beneath exceptionally dark desert skies • Smaller rigs handle winding roads and switchbacks more easily • Easy access to hiking trails, slot canyons, and overlooks
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
The Gulch
The Gulch, located in the northeast section of Grand Staircase-Escalante, is one of the tributaries of the Escalante River. The trail of the same name parallels this tributary and crosses it at several points; the Burr Trail also crosses the Gulch at points. Much of the trail travels along the canyon floor where you'll see hoodoos, a cabin used by ranchers, and cottonwood trees. The trail length varies, depending on how much of it you choose to do. Length: Varies; 10-20 miles on a round-trip loop Intensity: Moderate
Wildlife Viewing
While in places like Capitol Reef, you can expect typical desert creatures like bighorn sheep, cottontail rabbits, a variety of lizards and snakes, mule deer, antelope ground squirrels and rock squirrels, pinyon jays, and pronghorn antelope. If you're hiking in a remote area of the park at dawn or dusk, you may spot the elusive mountain lion although note that they tend to shy away from humans.
Picnicking
The Fruita Historic District of Capitol Reef National Park offers the Doc Inglesby and Chestnut picnic sites less than a mile from the visitor's center. If you have your pet with you, they must be on a leash while at these sites. Grand Staircase-Escalante offers the Devil's Garden picnic area 12 miles east of Escalante. At the end of the Burr Trail, Bullfrog Marina also has its own picnic site.
Stargazing
Given the undeveloped nature of this region of southern Utah, you can expect prime stargazing opportunities while on the stretch of the Burr Trail away from towns like Boulder.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
Southeast of Boulder and within the boundary of Grand Staircase-Escalante, right along the Burr Trail, is the Deer Creek Campground. RV camping is possible here although there are only seven sites, and the campground does not accommodate travel trailers or oversized vehicles. Deer Creek provides toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. All pets must be leashed while they're in Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. In Capitol Reef National Park, there's the Fruita Campground, the only developed campsite in the park. Fruita Campground offers 71 sites, all with a fire pit and picnic table. RVers can use the dump station and potable water station located near the entrance to Loops A and B. However, there are no water, sewage, or electrical hookups at this site. If you plan to camp between March 1 and October 31, you must reserve a spot beforehand.
Developed Campgrounds
Deer Creek Campground sits right along Burr Trail about 7 miles east of Boulder, making it the only developed campground directly on the route. It has seven sites and doesn't accommodate travel trailers or larger RVs, so it works best for camper vans and truck campers. There's no potable water and no hookups, but you'll find a vault toilet, fire rings, and picnic tables. Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations, and the fee is $10 per night. Quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and generators aren't allowed during that time.
Dispersed Camping
Multiple sections along the trail allow for dispersed camping. You are encouraged to choose a spot where camping has already occurred rather than creating a new one since this helps preserve the surrounding landscape. If you intend to do an extended stay, you must abide by the 14-day stay limit, which means you can only stay up to 14 days during any 28-day period. One of the top reasons that RV travelers love the dispersed camping areas along the trail is because the campsites are incredibly spread apart, which provides plenty of privacy for relaxing outdoors. You'll want to check current fire restrictions before you arrive to make sure you're not violating any seasonal regulations.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Excellent choice. Their compact size and higher ground clearance make them well suited for both the paved and unpaved sections of Burr Trail. • Travel Trailers: Smaller travel trailers may be suitable on the paved western portion. Towing beyond the switchbacks and onto the dirt sections is generally not recommended. • Fifth Wheels: Not recommended. Their length and wide turning radius make the steep switchbacks and narrow roads difficult to navigate safely. • Class A Motorhomes: Not recommended for the full route. Most drivers should remain on the paved section and avoid the unpaved roads. • Class B Motorhomes: One of the best options. They easily handle tight turns and fit into smaller dispersed campsites. • Class C Motorhomes: Smaller models can travel portions of Burr Trail, but larger Class C RVs should avoid the unpaved sections, especially after wet weather.
Free Camping 
Near Escalante, you'll find the Head of the Rock dispersed camping area. This quiet campsite offers solitude and level parking spots. Cell service is available here, and pets are allowed. The Spencer Flat Dispersed Camping area is in Grand Staircase-Escalante. There are pull-through sites here. Campfires aren't allowed as this location can get windy because of its higher elevation.
RV Rentals Near Burr Trail Plan your next adventure
Planning your Burr Trail BLM trip
The rugged canyon country of southern Utah has distinct seasons. Summers can get hot although the higher elevations of this region help keep the temperatures down a bit. Summer nights can get cool. Winter brings temperatures that drop below freezing at night, and snow is always possible. Spring and fall are mostly pleasant, with average temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Pack and wear layered clothing so that you can add or remove layers as needed while you're out exploring. As a portion of the Burr Trail is unpaved, you'll want a vehicle that can handle rougher road conditions in wetter weather. Pack plenty of water. Cell service will be mostly nonexistent in some of the remote areas of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Capitol Reef. The wonderful thing about the Bureau of Land Management free camping is you can pick your spot. If you're looking for quiet and solitude, you can find a location away from the crowds. Since this part of Utah is unpopulated, chances are great you can find a camping spot you'll have all your own. Use "BLM camping near me" to search for the ideal camping location. As part of your trip planning, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
Groceries and fuel supplies are extremely limited along the trail, so be sure to stock up before you start your adventure. Downloading your navigation maps is a smart move since cellphone service is spotty. This way, you can still use them offline. Visiting during spring or fall tends to provide the best weather conditions. When heavy rainfall occurs, some sections of the trail can become muddy and difficult to navigate. If you need to use a dump station, you can visit Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park or Bullfrog Marina in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Dump fees do apply.
Leave No Trace 
While you're on public land, it's crucial to follow the "Leave No Trace" principles to help preserve sites like the Burr Trail for future generations. While camping, always disposes of waste in the proper receptacles. Show respect for wildlife and other campers. Leave the area as you found it; this means not touching or picking up any artifacts and leaving plants and rocks where they are. Adhere to these LNT principles so that everyone can enjoy these public lands.
Burr Trail Location
You can access the start of the trail while you're in Boulder. Take Utah Scenic Byway 12 to the junction with Burr Trail Rd, which you'll find just south of the Burr Trail Grill. Head east on Burr Trail Rd to start your epic adventure. Address: Burr Trail Rd, Utah 84716 Ready to visit Burr Trail? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at Burr Trail
• Morning: Fuel your body for a full day of adventure with a tasty RV breakfast. Before you check out the famous Burr Trail Switchbacks, stop by Singing Canyon for a short walk to explore the narrow sandstone walls and unique natural echoes. • Afternoon: Continue on your scenic drive along the Burr Trail as you make your way to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Choose from scenic pullouts and picnic areas where you can stop and watch the changing colors across the surrounding cliffs. • Evening: Go back to your campsite for a night full of stargazing and dinner over a campfire (if seasonal fire restrictions allow). Spend the evening talking with family and friends and gearing up for another day of exploring Southern Utah.
Nearby Attractions
• Capitol Reef National Park: About 20 to 30 minutes from the western end of Burr Trail, Capitol Reef offers RV-friendly scenic drives and overlooks, including the famous Burr Trail Switchbacks. The park's Scenic Drive welcomes smaller RVs and leads to popular hiking and photography spots, along with the historic Fruita orchard and Gifford House. Fruita Campground here has a dump station if you need one. • Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: This monument has immediate access from Burr Trail and offers extensive dispersed camping nearby, along with excellent hiking through slot canyons. You'll find countless scenic overlooks and pullouts, strong wildlife viewing year-round, and dark skies that make for great stargazing, all of which make it an ideal spot for self-contained RVs. • Bullfrog Marina: About an hour from the eastern end of Burr Trail, Bullfrog Marina has an RV campground with modern amenities, a public dump station, and potable water. You can rent a boat on Lake Powell, fish, kayak, and pick up fuel and supplies at the convenience store, then wind down with a lakeside sunset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive my RV on the entire Burr Trail? Yes, most of the sections along the trail are easily accessible in an RV as long as the weather conditions are favorable. What size RV is best for Burr Trail? Because there are some narrow switchbacks and unpaved sections, smaller rigs tend to work best. You'll have a much easier time navigating the route, especially if you visit during dry weather when the unpaved sections are in better condition. Can I camp overnight along Burr Trail? Yes, many locations along the trail allow for dispersed camping. Always try to pick an existing campsite so you don't disturb vegetation or wildlife. Are RV hookups available along Burr Trail? There aren't any hookup options along the trail. If you need electric, water, or sewer amenities, you'll want to book a spot at a nearby developed campground, like Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park. Is there a dump station on Burr Trail? No, but you can drive to Fruita Campground or Bullfrog Marina, both of which offer dump stations for a fee. If you're staying overnight at Fruita Campground, the dump fee is included in the cost of your campsite.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
The right RV rental for your trip depends on how much of the trail you want to explore. If you intend to drive the entire route, which entails traveling on both paved and unpaved roads, you'll want a smaller rig since it's easier to maneuver through the switchbacks. Many RV travelers come to the Burr Trail in a Class B vehicle that can comfortably handle the tight turns and smaller pullouts. Start exploring the different Boulder RV rentals to find the perfect setup for your trip to Burr Trail.